Up to 20 years on one pass
MM2H gives you a renewable pass of 5, 15, or 20 years, by tier, for you and anyone applying with you, with multiple entries throughout.
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Malaysia
Modern cities, island coasts, and one of Asia's great food scenes, with a renewable pass of up to 20 years through MM2H and no minimum days from age 50.
- Population
- 35 million
- Language
- Malay (English widely spoken)
- Currency
- Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
- Time zone
- MYT (UTC+8, no DST)
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- GDP per capita
- ~US$12K
No minimum days from age 50
If you're 50 or older, MM2H has no presence rule. Under 50, it's 90 days a year, counted across everyone on your pass.
Foreign income outside Malaysian tax
If you become a tax resident, foreign income you bring into Malaysia is exempt through 2036, subject to conditions, and interest on your MM2H deposit is tax-free.
Hospitals that draw patients from abroad
Malaysia's private hospitals rank among the best in Asia, and medical tourism has flourished there. Your pass allows long-term treatment in the country.
English in daily life
English is widely spoken in business, government offices, and daily life, so settling in is easier than almost anywhere else in the region.
Cities, islands, and highlands
Kuala Lumpur's skyline, the heritage streets of Penang and Melaka, the islands of Langkawi, and the cool tea country of the Cameron Highlands.
One Route into Malaysia
Each route below is a live client engagement we have advised. Figures and timelines reflect the current state of each program; we update them whenever policy moves.
MM2H
ResidencyMalaysia My Second Home: a renewable pass of 5 to 20 years, by tier, for a fixed deposit of $150K to $1M at a Malaysian bank and a home you buy after approval. The deposit is returned when you leave the program. It doesn't lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
Several routes, several ideal profiles. Which is right for you? The Freedom Consult is where we figure out your ideal path forward, and whether Malaysia is even the right country.
Get my BlueprintA Taste of Malaysia
How do you get residency in Malaysia?
How do you get residency in Malaysia?
Through Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H). You place a fixed deposit of $150K, $500K, or $1M at a Malaysian bank, buy a home after approval, and receive a renewable pass of 5, 15, or 20 years.
Can I buy property to get residency in Malaysia?
Can I buy property to get residency in Malaysia?
Property alone doesn't qualify. MM2H needs a fixed deposit, and every tier also requires you to buy a home after approval, at a minimum price set by tier.
Does MM2H lead to citizenship?
Does MM2H lead to citizenship?
No. MM2H is a long-term renewable pass, and it doesn't lead to permanent residency or Malaysian citizenship.
How does Malaysia tax new residents?
How does Malaysia tax new residents?
You become a tax resident at 182 days in a calendar year. Foreign income residents bring into Malaysia is exempt through 2036, subject to conditions. If you're a US citizen, you file US taxes too. We review your position before you move.
Can my family come with me?
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse, children under 21, single children 21 to 34 who aren't working, children of any age with a disability, and your parents and in-laws can join you on one deposit.
How much time do I need to spend in Malaysia?
How much time do I need to spend in Malaysia?
None if you're 50 or older. Under 50, it's 90 days a year, and the days of everyone on your pass count together.
Eight Factors, Against the US Baseline
The dimensions that decide whether a place is workable once the visa lands.
English
Widely spoken
English is common in business, government, and daily life, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Malay is the national language.
Cost of living
Well below US cities
Modern condos, eating out, and private healthcare cost a fraction of what they do in major US cities, with a high standard of living.
Taxes
Foreign income exempt to 2036
Tax residency starts at 182 days. Foreign income residents bring in is exempt through 2036, subject to conditions.
Quality of life
Modern and easygoing
Clean, efficient cities with fast internet and rooftop pools, a short flight from islands, rainforest, and cool highlands.
Safety
Generally safe
Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Petty theft happens in busy parts of the larger cities, so situational awareness pays.
Travel connectivity
A regional hub
Kuala Lumpur's international airport connects you across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia, with one-stop routes to the US.
Infrastructure
Strong in the cities
Highways, rail, utilities, and internet are reliable in the main cities. Rural areas and parts of Borneo are more basic.
Healthcare
Among Asia's best
Private hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Penang serve patients from around the world, at prices well below the US.
Content on Malaysia
Deeper coverage of Malaysia from the Freedom Files library: Long-form articles and video deep dives.
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