Hudson McKenzie provides specialist legal advice and application support for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme — one of Asia's most established long-term residency routes for foreign nationals.
Whether you are assessing eligibility, comparing categories or ready to submit your application, our MM2H immigration lawyers guide you through every stage of the process. For a full breakdown of current requirements and financial thresholds, see our MM2H Malaysia requirements guide.
The programme is administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and applications must be submitted through authorised MM2H agents. Book a Private MM2H Visa Consultation
The MM2H programme currently offers four categories — Silver (5-year), Gold (15-year), Platinum (20-year) and SEZ (10-year) — each with different fixed deposit, property purchase and fee requirements.
Hudson McKenzie advises on all four categories and can identify the most suitable pathway based on your financial profile, age, residency objectives and long-term plans in Malaysia. For the full financial thresholds and eligibility criteria for each category, see our detailed MM2H requirements guide.
What is the MM2H Residency Programme?
The MM2H programme provides foreign nationals with renewable long-term residency in Malaysia through a structured combination of:
- Fixed deposit placement in a Malaysian bank
- Mandatory property purchase
- Government participation fees
- Annual residency compliance
It is a residency programme and does not lead directly to Malaysian citizenship.
MM2H Categories Explained
The programme currently includes four primary categories:
1. Silver Category (5-Year Renewable Visa)
The Silver category is considered the entry-level tier. Financial Requirements:
- Fixed Deposit: USD 150,000
- Minimum Property Purchase: RM 600,000 (West Malaysia)
- Government Participation Fee: RM 1,000
- 8% SST applicable
Best suited for applicants seeking long-term residency with moderate financial commitment.
2. Gold Category (15-Year Renewable Visa)
The Gold category offers extended residency duration. Financial Requirements:
- Fixed Deposit: USD 500,000
- Minimum Property Purchase: RM 1,000,000 (West Malaysia)
- Government Participation Fee: RM 3,000
- 8% SST applicable
Best suited for individuals seeking greater residency certainty and long-term stability.
3. Platinum Category (20-Year Renewable Visa)
The Platinum category provides the longest visa duration and highest investment threshold. Financial Requirements:
- Fixed Deposit: USD 1,000,000
- Minimum Property Purchase: RM 2,000,000 (West Malaysia)
- Government Participation Fee: RM 200,000
- 8% SST applicable
The Platinum category permits business investment and employment activities within Malaysia. Best suited for high-net-worth individuals seeking extended residency and commercial flexibility.
4. Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Category (10-Year Renewable Visa)
The SEZ category is structured to support regional development in designated areas. Financial Requirements:
- Fixed Deposit:
- USD 65,000 (Age 21–49)
- USD 32,000 (Age 50+)
- Property purchase restricted to approved development zones
- Government Participation Fee: RM 1,000
- 8% SST applicable
This category carries lower entry thresholds but is geographically restricted.

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) – Key Benefits, Eligibility Requirements & Application Process
MM2H participants may benefit from:
- Long-term renewable residency in Malaysia (5 to 20 years depending on category)
- Tiered entry options (Silver, Gold, Platinum and SEZ) aligned with different financial profiles
- Ability to include eligible dependants, including spouse, children and (where applicable) parents/parents-in-law
- Stable residency planning through structured financial and property-based criteria
- Lifestyle and relocation flexibility, including access to Malaysia’s healthcare, education and infrastructure
- Category-based flexibility under Platinum, which may permit business investment and employment activities (subject to programme rules and approvals)
- Defined annual residency requirement (90 cumulative days), which may be shared between principal applicant and dependants (where applicable)
Benefits, criteria and programme interpretation may change and remain subject to Malaysian regulatory guidance and MOTAC requirements.
Core Financial Criteria
Early financial structuring and deposit planning are important to ensure compliance prior to submission. Across all categories, applicants must satisfy three core financial obligations:
- Fixed deposit placement
- Mandatory property purchase
- Government participation fee
Financial commitment increases proportionally with visa duration and flexibility benefits.
Residency Requirements
MM2H participants must fulfil a minimum annual residency requirement of 90 cumulative days per year. Residency days may be shared between the principal applicant and registered dependants. Failure to meet annual residency thresholds may impact renewal eligibility.
Dependant Eligibility
The programme permits inclusion of:
- Spouse
- Unmarried children up to 34 years old (not employed in Malaysia)
- Disabled children (no age limit, subject to certification)
- Parents
- Parents-in-law
Dependants aged 21–34 must submit statutory declarations confirming single status and non-employment in Malaysia. Medical insurance and check-up requirements apply.
Applications are submitted through authorised MM2H agents and reviewed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). Typical steps include:
- Preliminary eligibility assessment
- Submission through authorised channel
- Financial verification
- Approval-in-principle
- Deposit placement and property compliance
- Visa endorsement
Processing timelines vary depending on category and completeness of documentation.
Why Consider Malaysia for Long-Term Residency?
Malaysia offers:
- Stable regulatory environment
- International-standard healthcare and education
- Competitive property market
- Strategic ASEAN positioning
- Diverse lifestyle and retirement appeal
The MM2H framework provides structured long-term residency aligned with these advantages.
Why Hudson McKenzie
MM2H applications involve careful coordination of fixed deposit placement, property purchase timing, documentation and MOTAC compliance — all within strict deadlines. Common reasons applications are delayed or refused include incomplete documentation, incorrect category selection and missed residency compliance windows.
- Hudson McKenzie provides end-to-end MM2H advisory support:
- Eligibility and category assessment against your financial profile
- Fixed deposit and property purchase planning and timing
- Full documentation review and preparation
- Submission through our authorised MM2H agent network in Malaysia
- Ongoing residency compliance guidance post-approval
We work with clients from the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia and internationally. Initial consultations are private and confidential. For clients considering Malaysia residency under the MM2H programme, structured advisory support can assist in ensuring full compliance with current financial and regulatory criteria. MM2H applications require careful financial structuring, property compliance and documentation oversight to avoid processing delays.
Speak to a MM2H Immigration Lawyer
If you are considering long-term residency in the Malaysia, our team can provide a private eligibility assessment and outline the most suitable pathway for your objectives. Please get in touch with us at HudsonVIP@hudsonmckenzie.com to know more about this programme.
MM2H Residency applications require careful structuring and regulatory planning. Early strategic advice can significantly reduce delays and compliance risks. Book a Private MM2H Visa Consultation


