Malaysia has long been a popular destination for people looking to settle in Southeast Asia. Its modern infrastructure, relatively low cost of living, English-friendly environment, and strong cultural diversity make it attractive to retirees, professionals, and globally mobile families.
To accommodate this demand, the Malaysian government offers a range of long-stay passes that allow foreigners to live in the country for extended periods. These programs combine lifestyle benefits with specific financial or property requirements to ensure that participants can support themselves while contributing to the local economy.
Only after looking more closely at these options does the term “Malaysia Golden Visa” come into play, a phrase commonly used to group them together, even though it’s not an official legal category.
What is the Malaysian Golden Visa?
Unlike Portugal, Spain, or Greece, Malaysia doesn’t have a single visa officially branded as a “Golden Visa.” Instead, the phrase is used informally to describe the country’s long-stay residency options that require financial commitments.
At its core, a golden visa usually refers to residency programs that allow foreigners to secure the right to stay long-term by meeting set financial thresholds, whether through fixed deposits, property purchases, or substantial income proof. Malaysia’s equivalent is spread across a few different schemes:
- Premium Visa Programme (PVIP): a federal 20-year residency pass tied to high financial criteria and offering work and business rights.
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): a lifestyle residency programme with several tiers requiring deposits, property ownership, and minimum stay conditions.
- State-level MM2H variants (Sarawak and Sabah): locally administered programmes with their own financial and stay requirements.
- DE Rantau Pass: a separate digital nomad scheme sometimes mentioned in the same breath, though it isn’t true long-term residency.
So, the term Malaysia Golden Visa is best understood as an umbrella term covering these programmes, each with distinct rules but all providing foreigners with a pathway to live in Malaysia for an extended period.
Benefits of the Malaysian Golden Visa
Malaysia's long-stay visa programs provide a mix of lifestyle and practical advantages that make the country an appealing choice for global residents. Successful applicants gain access to extended residency, the right to bring dependants, and a stable base in Southeast Asia.
One of the standout features, particularly under the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP), is long-term security: a renewable 20-year pass that allows holders to live, work, invest, and educate their families in Malaysia. This flexibility distinguishes it from many residency schemes in the region that often restrict work rights.
Key benefits at a glance
Beyond their residency, participants enjoy Malaysia’s favourable cost of living, world-class healthcare, reputable international schools, and a strategic location with excellent travel links across Asia.
Combined with clear financial rules and property opportunities, the visa offers both stability and lifestyle advantages.
Who is Eligible for the Malaysia Golden Visa
Applicants must first satisfy a set of universal conditions before applying for either the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) or the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).
These include being of good character, evidenced through a clean police clearance from the country of residence. A basic medical examination is required to demonstrate sound health, and applicants must also hold valid health insurance that covers them while living in Malaysia.
Proof of financial capability is essential, not just in the form of meeting the fixed deposit or income thresholds, but also in showing that the funds are legitimately sourced and registered under the principal applicant’s name. Finally, the applicant’s passport must be valid for at least twelve months at the time of application.
Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)
The PVIP is designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking maximum flexibility. To qualify, applicants must:
- Place a fixed deposit of MYR 1 million in a Malaysian bank.
- Show proof of annual offshore income.
- Pay the one-time participation fee and annual pass fee.
- Undergo background checks and meet the universal conditions noted above.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)
The MM2H scheme is tiered, with requirements varying by category (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and SEZ/SFZ). In general, applicants must:
- Place the required fixed deposit according to their chosen tier.
- Purchase property at or above the compulsory threshold (except in certain categories).
- Pay participation and renewal fees as set by the program.
- Comply with health, insurance, and character requirements as outlined under the universal conditions.
Family Members Eligible Under PVIP & MM2H
Both the Premium Visa Program and Malaysia's My Second Home allow the inclusion of close family members, though the exact definitions and conditions differ slightly. These schemes, in practice, aim to facilitate family settlement, not just the principal applicant.
- Under PVIP, dependants generally include a legally married spouse, children below a certain age threshold, and parents. This makes the program attractive to multi-generational households that want to relocate together.
- For MM2H, the rules are broadly similar but more tightly defined. A spouse can be included, along with unmarried children up to the official age limit published under each tier. Certain categories may also qualify parents and parents-in-law, provided they can assure financial support and accommodation.
All dependants must meet the same baseline requirements as the principal applicant: they need valid health insurance, proof of good character, and evidence of family relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates.
In addition, children must remain unmarried to stay under the dependant category, and in some tiers, specific conditions apply if they are pursuing higher education.
Which Route Fits Who?
The table below helps you identify, in under 30 seconds, which residency route may best align with your situation.
Financial Requirements (Deposits, Income, Fees)
Malaysia’s long-stay residency routes rely on clearly defined financial thresholds. These conditions differ by program and tier, but all applicants must demonstrate sufficient means to support themselves without becoming a public burden.
Fixed Deposits
Each program specifies a minimum fixed deposit (FD) amount, which must be placed at a Malaysian bank after approval. In most cases, a portion of the FD can be withdrawn after the first year for approved purposes such as education, healthcare, or property purchase.
Income and Means Tests
Some tiers also require proof of annual income or liquid assets in addition to the fixed deposit. Where published, these benchmarks must be met with official bank statements or certified financial documents.
Fees
Beyond the deposit, applicants pay processing, participation, and renewal fees. These are typically structured per principal applicant, with reduced amounts for spouses or dependants.
Some programs also include a security bond, which varies by nationality and is held by Malaysian authorities as a compliance guarantee.
Narrative Wrap-Up
The financial commitments vary sharply between the PVIP, MM2H tiers, and the state programs, so applicants should weigh not only the deposit size but also the ongoing fees and restrictions on how funds can be used.
Before planning an application, it is crucial to verify the latest figures on the official government portals, as these conditions undergo periodic updates.
Rights & Restrictions (Work, Business, Study, Invest)
Malaysia’s Golden Visa provides long-term residency, but it does not operate as a blanket work or business permit. Instead, each program sets clear conditions for what holders can and cannot do, particularly in areas such as employment, investments, property, and family benefits.
Malaysia’s Golden Visa secures residency, but ongoing compliance with work, property, and insurance rules is crucial for renewals.
Property Purchase Rules (Federal vs State)
Malaysia's property rules for long-stay residents combine federal program obligations with state-level thresholds.
In practice, you must satisfy both: the federal MM2H requirement (if applicable) and the minimum purchase price/levy set by the state where you buy.
When the two differ, the higher rule applies.
Federal (MM2H tiers)
Under federal MM2H, property purchase is compulsory after approval. The minimum purchase price varies by tier, and a 10-year no-sale period applies (you may upgrade within the program).
Financing, title transfer, and endorsement typically occur after proof of approval and the placement of a fixed deposit.
States (price floors & levies)
Each state sets its own foreign-buyer minimum price and, in some cases, levies or surcharges. Major markets like Kuala Lumpur (Federal Territory), Selangor, Penang, and Johor frequently adopt higher thresholds than the federal MM2H minima.
Always verify the state land office or PTG guidance; if a state floor exceeds the federal tier minimum, the state floor prevails.
SEZ / SFZ (zone policy)
For Special Economic/Financial Zones, approved purchases must conform to zone policy; typically, new-build stock is available only from participating developers and within designated projects.
These purchases still sit on top of the federal MM2H requirement and any state rules that apply to the area.
Malaysia Golden Visa Application Process
Malaysia’s residency routes follow a structured process: screen eligibility, prepare documents, submit, receive approval, place required deposits or property purchases, and finally endorse and collect your pass. Each programme has its own channel:
- PVIP (federal): Portal-led submission with online forms, payment, vetting, approval-in-principle, financial placement, and card issuance.
- MM2H (federal tiers): Licensed operator mandatory. Files go via MOTAC’s One-Stop Centre, followed by Immigration. After approval, applicants place fixed deposits, complete property purchases, and endorse.
- S-MM2H & Sabah-MM2H (state): Operate through state agents or sponsors, with unique fees, medical forms, and insurance rules. State endorsement precedes Immigration pass issuance.
Step-by-Step Timeline
Route-specific Notes
- PVIP: Direct portal filing, approval-in-principle, required deposit/fees, endorsement, and card issuance.
- MM2H (federal): Operator-led OSC submission with official forms (IMM.12/IMM.38). After AIP, place FD, purchase property, obtain an endorsement, and collect a pass. Renewal requires ongoing compliance checks.
- S-MM2H & Sabah: Agent/sponsor submissions to the state portal. Expect state-specific fees, insurance, and presence rules. Sarawak requires at least 30 days per year in-state.
Application Checklist & Forms (G7)
Entry Logistics (MDAC & Visas)
All travellers entering Malaysia must comply with basic entry forms. The most important requirement for medium- and long-term residents is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).
MDAC is an online arrival declaration form that must be submitted within three days before travelling to Malaysia. It records passenger identity, travel details, and health information, helping Immigration to manage border control more efficiently.
Who must complete it? Most foreign travellers, including long-stay visa applicants and their dependents,
Exemptions apply to categories such as Malaysian citizens, permanent residents, and travellers transiting without immigration clearance. These exemptions are listed directly on the Immigration Department portal and can change, so always confirm before travelling.
For most Golden Visa applicants, the MDAC is the only pre-arrival formality. However, depending on your nationality, you may also need an eVISA or a Visa With Reference (VDR) before your first entry. These requirements are nationality-specific and separate from your long-stay pass approval.
MDAC & Entry Requirements Quick Ref
Taxes & Banking (non-advisory, official only)
Whether a person is treated as a Malaysian tax resident depends on the day-count test under Section 7 of the Income Tax Act 1967. Broadly, an individual who spends at least 182 days in a calendar year in Malaysia is considered a resident. Linked rules also cover continuity across years, but the 182-day test is the primary measure.
For foreign-sourced income, Malaysia currently grants a temporary exemption window for resident individuals. This means overseas pensions, rental income, dividends, or share sale proceeds remitted into Malaysia are not taxed for now.
Capital gains from the disposal of overseas assets are also covered. These exemptions have a published end date and may be revised, so applicants should always contact the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) for the latest guidance.
Once approved under PVIP or MM2H, applicants can open a local bank account. Banks usually require the visa approval letter or endorsed pass, a valid passport, and proof of a Malaysian address. Foreign currency inflows, such as deposits or investments, must be channelled through licensed banks, in line with exchange control rules under Bank Negara Malaysia.
In short, Malaysia’s Golden Visa programs provide residency, but your tax and banking position depends on your days in the country and the latest LHDN and central bank rules.
Compliance, Renewals & Cancellations
- For the MM2H program, holders must spend at least 90 days per year in Malaysia. Renewal fees vary by tier, and property purchases must be in line with the program’s no-sale rules. Cancellations may occur if applicants misrepresent facts, fail to maintain fixed deposits, insurance, or property requirements, or if they commit criminal offences.
- Under the Sarawak MM2H (S-MM2H) route, the minimum presence is 30 days per year. Renewal fees and state rules differ slightly, and Sarawak applies its own cancellation triggers, including breach of local conditions.
- For the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP), renewals follow the official fee schedule, and participants must continue to meet financial and insurance obligations. Immigration may refuse renewal or cancel passes for misrepresentation, non-compliance, or criminality.
The principal applicant must meet the minimum stay obligations in all cases; dependants do not contribute to this requirement. Minimum stay obligations must be met by the principal applicant; dependants do not count toward this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Malaysia’s Golden Visa routes, whether through PVIP or MM2H, offer a rare blend of long-term security, family inclusivity, and regional access.
Yet, each program carries detailed conditions on financial thresholds, property commitments, minimum stays, and compliance rules.
Navigating these requirements alone can feel daunting, especially with frequent policy updates and state-specific nuances.
At Movingto, we simplify the process. Our role is to help you interpret official regulations, structure your application, and stay on top of renewals so you can focus on building your life in Malaysia.
With clear guidance and support grounded in official sources, we make sure you always meet requirements without surprises.
Ready to Secure Your Malaysia Golden Visa?
At Movingto, we provide independent guidance, compare PVIP and MM2H programmes, and connect you with vetted legal partners — with teams on the ground in Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, and Barcelona.
Book a Free Consultation
.svg)
