The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program comes in several forms. Primarily, it is a residency permit that does not grant the holder permission to work in Malaysia, except for the West Malaysia Platinum option, where employment rights are included as a perk. Unlike some neighboring nations, the scheme isn’t aimed solely at retirees, and the age threshold is lower.
In East Malaysia, the states of Sabah and Sarawak set their own immigration rules and have devised their own versions of the MM2H visa, generally with more relaxed requirements, though applicants are expected to reside in the issuing state.
West Malaysia now offers three tiers of MM2H visas, each demanding larger fixed‑deposit amounts in exchange for longer validity periods; the top‑tier Platinum visa allows work and is valid for 20 years.
There is also a special visa for the country’s sole Special Economic Zone—Forest City in Johor—where applicants must purchase a unit in the development. The large number of unsold apartments suggests the visa is intended to boost sales, and for Singaporean residents it provides a cheaper alternative to living in Singapore, especially for those who can avoid daily commuting and travel across the border outside peak hours.
In Sabah, the MM2H visa requires a property purchase, whereas Sarawak’s version, targeted at individuals over 50, does not currently mandate buying property, though younger buyers can still qualify if they acquire real estate. Sabah and Sarawak are located on the island of Borneo and is traditionally referred to as East Malaysia.
Check out the following links for more detailed information on the different types and categories of MM2H programs: