MM2H Latest Requirements 2026
Platinum / Gold / Silver
A Complete Comparison
Online information about MM2H is full of outdated figures. This article verifies MM2H requirements (fixed deposits, property, age, and stay obligations) against official government requirements as of 2026, and compares all four tiers โ Silver, Gold, Platinum, and SEZ โ in a single table. You'll find everything from actual costs to the exit process when cancelling.
- What is MM2H โ What Changed with the Major 2024 Revision
- In-Depth Tier Comparison โ Silver / Gold / Platinum + SEZ
- Requirements Common to All Tiers โ Age, Stay Obligations & Family
- How Much Does It Actually Cost? โ Fees and Withdrawal Rules
- S-MM2H (Sarawak State) as an Alternative
- MM2H Is Not Required for Education-Based Relocation
- Application Process and Key Points
- What If You Stop Midway? โ Cancellation and Exit Procedures
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary โ Which Tier Should You Choose?
What is MM2H โ What Changed with the Major 2024 Revision
MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) is a long-term stay program offered by the Malaysian government for foreigners. Upon approval, participants receive a stay pass valid for several years up to 20 years along with a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV), and are permitted to bring family members and enrol children in school.
However, MM2H isa program whose requirements have changed back and forth several times in recent years. In 2021, the conditions were significantly tightened (fixed deposit of RM 1,000,000, monthly income of RM 40,000, etc.), and then in June 2024 the program was completely overhauled into the current "tiered" system.
"Fixed deposit RM 1,000,000" and "monthly income RM 40,000" are from the 2021 version; "age 30 and above" and "60 days per year stay" are from the announcement made at the end of 2023. The figures in this article are based on the requirements listed on the official MOTAC website (mm2h.gov.my) as of 2026.
The current system in a nutshell
Applicants choose from four tiers (Silver / Gold / Platinum / SEZ) based on their level of assets. The monthly income requirement has been abolished, and the main pillars of assessment are now a fixed deposit and a property purchase.
In-Depth Tier Comparison โ Silver / Gold / Platinum + SEZ
The current MM2H has three basic tiers, plus a fourth category, SEZ/SFZ, a lower-budget option limited to the special economic zone in Johor. Let's start by comparing all tiers in a single table.
| Item | Silver | Gold | Platinum | SEZ/SFZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Deposit (FD) | USD 150,000Approx. JPY 24,000,000 | USD 500,000Approx. JPY 80,000,000 | USD 1,000,000Approx. JPY 160,000,000 | USD 65,000 (ages 21โ49) USD 32,000 (ages 50+)Approx. JPY 5,100,000โ10,400,000 |
| Participation Fee (lump sum) | RM 1,000 | RM 3,000 | RM 200,000 | RM 1,000 |
| Property Purchase | RequiredRM 600,000 or more | RequiredRM 1,000,000 or more | RequiredRM 2,000,000 or more | RequiredForest City only |
| Pass Validity | 5 years | 15 years | 20 years | 10 years |
| Minimum Age | 25 years old | 25 years old | 25 years old | 21 years old |
| Employment / Business | Not permitted | Not permitted | Permitted | Not permitted |
| Partial Fixed Deposit Withdrawal | Up to 50% | Up to 50% | Up to 50% | Up to 50% |
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Source: Requirements for each tier on the MOTAC official website (Silver / Gold / Platinum / SEZ) and Application Guidelines(as of 2026).
JPY conversions are approximate (calculated at 1 USD = 160 JPY, 1 RM = 40 JPY; actual amounts may vary significantly with exchange rates). Fixed deposits are held at licensed financial institutions under Malaysia's Financial Services Act.
Conditions Common to All Tiers โ Age, Stay Requirements & Family
The annual cumulative 90-day stay requirement applies to participants under 50 years of age,and for those aged 25โ49, the requirement can be met through the stay of the applicant or a dependent family member. For example, if a child attends school in Malaysia, those days of stay can be counted toward the requirement.
The range of dependent family members who may accompany the applicant is as follows.
- โ Spouse
- โ Children under 21 (biological, step, or adopted). Those aged 21โ34 are eligible if unmarried and unemployed.
- โ Children with disabilities (no age limit ยท doctor's certificate required)
- โ Parents and parents-in-law
- โ Foreign domestic helper (Platinum tier only)
Children may enroll in government-approved educational institutions up to tertiary level, either under the existing MM2H pass or by receiving an automatically granted Student Pass. After approval, both the applicant and dependent family members are required to undergo a medical check-up at a MOTAC-designated medical facility. In addition,those under 60 years of age are required to enroll in a Malaysian domestic health insurance plan, and overseas insurance such as Japanese plans is not accepted (those aged 60 and above are exempt from the insurance requirement).
How Much Does It Actually Cost? โ Fees and Withdrawal Rules
The core costs of MM2H are a fixed deposit and a property purchase, but unlike investment visas in other countries,these are not expenses โ they simply relocate your assets. The items that represent true out-of-pocket costs are as follows.
Participation fee (government ยท one-time)
Silver/SEZ: RM1,000, Gold: RM3,000, Platinum: RM200,000.
Licensed agent fees
Applications must be submitted through a MOTAC-licensed agency. Agency fees vary widely, ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million yen depending on the provider.
Medical check-up, insurance & documentation
Out-of-pocket costs for medical check-ups at designated facilities, obtaining a police clearance certificate, translation, etc.
Property acquisition costs
In addition to the property price, stamp duty, legal fees, etc. Note that the property cannot be sold for 10 years.
There is one more thing to note regarding property. Foreign property purchases are subject tominimum price regulations set by each state. As a general guide, the minimum is RM1 million in Kuala Lumpur, RM2 million in Selangor, and RM2 million on Penang Island (RM1 million on the mainland). If state regulations set a higher minimum than the MM2H threshold (RM600,000 for Silver), the state price effectively becomes the floor. Some states offer preferential treatment for MM2H holders, so be sure to check the regulations of the state where the property is located before purchasing.
After approval, the fixed deposit may bewithdrawn up to a maximum of 50% for purposes limited to housing purchase, education, medical care, and tourism. This means that Silver tier holders can direct the equivalent of USD 75,000 toward housing or tuition fees. The remainder is locked in for the duration of the pass, so the Malaysian fixed deposit interest rate effectively becomes the return on that portion. For current interest rate levels, Comparison of fixed deposit interest rates at Malaysian banks for reference. Note that under the official requirements, funds brought into Malaysia from abroad are not subject to tax (please consult a professional for final tax determinations).
Since the requirements are denominated in USD/RM, the more the yen weakens, the more yen assets you will need. Transfer costs for depositing funds are also not negligible, so it is recommended to first check theinternational remittance fee comparisonandsteps for opening a local bank accountin advance.
The S-MM2H (Sarawak) Alternative
If the asset requirements of the federal program feel burdensome, the island of Borneo's Sarawak state runs its own S-MM2H program. Based on the state's official guide and the January 2025 revised announcement, the main differences are as follows.
Differences Between Federal MM2H and S-MM2H
- Fixed Deposit: USD 150,000 (approx. 24 million yen)
- Property Purchase: Required (RM 600,000 or more)
- Stay Requirement: 90 days/year (under 50 years old)
- Can reside anywhere in the country
- Fixed Deposit: RM 500,000 (approx. 20 million yen) flat rate
- Property Purchase: Not required (can maintain rental accommodation)
- Stay Requirement: 30 days/year within the state
- Additionally, proof of monthly income of RM 10,000 (RM 15,000 for couples) or equivalent liquid assets is required
- Medical insurance enrollment with an insurance company within the state is mandatory
- Minimum Age: 30 years old
โป S-MM2H is a 10-year pass (renewal procedure required after 5 years). It is premised on living in Sarawak and cannot be used for settling in West Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur.
Source: Official Sarawak state application guide and state announcement of the January 2025 revision (for details, see the official state website mtcp.sarawak.gov.my)
The state's official guide prior to the revision (September 2024 edition) explicitly stated that"applicants aged 30โ49 with children under 18 enrolled in a school within Sarawak are eligible to apply."It has not been officially confirmed whether this route remains available after the 2025 revision, so families who qualify should check with an authorized agent for the latest information. International schools in Kuching tend to have lower tuition fees than those in Kuala Lumpur, making it a hidden option for education migration.
S-MM2Hunderwent a major revision on January 1, 2025, with the fixed deposit requirement raised from RM 150,000โ300,000 to RM 500,000 (flat rate). Much of the information still circulating online reflects the pre-revision "RM 150,000 deposit" figure. The figures above reflect the post-revision requirements, but please always confirm the latest details with the official state authority or an authorized agent before applying.
MM2H Is Not Required for Education Migration
If your only goal is to "enroll your child in a school in Malaysia," you do not actually need to obtain MM2H.The most common route is for the child to obtain a Student Pass (student visa) while the parent accompanies them on a Guardian Visa, and there are no significant asset requirements for this.
| Purpose / Situation | Suitable Option | Asset / Income Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Child's schooling is the primary objectiveMother and child study abroad / multi-year basis | Student Pass + Guardian Visa | No large deposit requirementA financial plan for tuition and living expenses is necessary |
| Long-term settlement for the whole family10+ years ยท Ample assets | MM2H (Gold or above) | Fixed deposit of USD 500,000+ + real estate |
| Retirement ยท Establishing a base | MM2H (Silver) / S-MM2H | MM2H Silver: from USD 150,000 S-MM2H: from RM 500,000 |
| Working locally ยท Running a business | Work visa (EP) / MM2H Platinum | Employment contract or USD 1,000,000 |
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MM2H becomes particularly useful for education-related relocation in cases where you want to eliminate the hassle of visa renewals for a decade or more, wish to continue living as a couple after your child graduates, or want to use Malaysian fixed deposits and real estate as a place to park your assets. Since international school tuition and MM2H asset requirements are separate costs,a financial plan that accounts for both international school tuition fees (RM 30,000โ100,000+ per year) together with the MM2H requirementsis recommended before proceeding. For school selection, you cancompare international schoolsto find options.
Application process and key points to note
For the federal MM2H application,it is mandatory to apply through a MOTAC-approved MM2H agent (tour operator)Direct applications by individuals are not accepted. Applications are processed through the One-Stop Centre (OSC MM2H), with final approval granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Immigration Department.
Selecting a tier and financial planning
Choose a tier based on family composition, length of stay, and budget. If assets are held in Japanese yen, factor in exchange rate considerations.
Selecting an approved agent
Always verify that the agent is listed on the MOTAC approved list. Agency fees and the scope of support vary significantly between agents.
Document preparation and application
Certified passport copies, police clearance certificate (with English translation), proof of assets, etc. Submitted for review via OSC MM2H. The approval process generally takes several months.
Conditional approval โ Travel to Malaysia and complete procedures
After approval: deposit funds into a fixed deposit account, undergo a medical examination at a designated institution, and receive the pass.
Property purchase (after approval)
Purchase a residential property meeting the minimum price for your tier. A 10-year restriction on selling applies (upgrading to a higher-value property is permitted).
Typical patterns of rejection and setbacks
What if You Stop Midway? โ Cancellation & Exit Procedures
Surprisingly, few people write about this, but MM2H isa programme with defined procedures even for when you want to leave. According to the official S-MM2H guide, programme termination involves the following two steps.
Complete the programme termination process at the Immigration Department
Submit a letter of intent to terminate, original passport, and a one-way air ticket to have your pass cancelled.
Apply for fixed deposit termination
Submit the termination document, a copy of the approval letter, deposit statements, and other required documents to the relevant ministry to unlock the fixed deposit (FD) and withdraw the full amount.
In other words,the fixed deposit is an asset that is returned to you upon cancellation. On the other hand, property purchased under the programme is subject to a 10-year restriction on sale, so if you exit midway, you will need to either hold onto the property or wait until the restriction period ends. Understanding "what comes back and what remains upon exit" before you apply will change how you choose your tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the income requirement been removed?
Can I work under MM2H?
Can I renew the pass on my own?
What are my options if I don't have enough funds?
What happens to people who obtained MM2H before 2024?
Summary โ Which Tier Should You Choose?
Quick Reference by Family Situation and Purpose
- โ Retirement / Second Home โ Silver(USD 150,000 + RM 600,000 property)
- โ Long-term residency of 10+ years with family โ Gold(15-year pass significantly reduces the hassle of renewals)
- โ Want to work or run a business locally โ Platinumthe only option (the sole tier that permits employment)
- โ Seeking a lower budget / based in Johor โ SEZ/SFZ(note: limited to Forest City)
- โ Prioritising children's education without asset requirements โ Student Pass + Guardian Visa
MM2H is a programme for "relocating your assets to Malaysia." The numerical requirements may be revised in the future, so before making your final decision, be sure to check the MOTAC Official Website(S-MM2H is theofficial Sarawak State) to check the latest requirements.
In summary
๐ก When compared against official confirmed figures, MM2H is not a "scary programme" โ it's a "programme you can plan around."
If your goal is relocating for your children's education, the quickest approach is to start by working backwards from school selection.
