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🇲🇾 Malaysia

Visa & Residency

Malaysia offers several long-term visa options for expats, including the popular MM2H programme, employment passes for workers, and dependent passes for families. English is used throughout the application process..

Data verified June 14, 2026

5–20 years

MM2H (4 tiers)

SEZ $65K, Silver $150K, Gold $500K, Platinum $1M. Only Platinum = work rights.

RM 5K–20K

EP Salary (Jun 2026)

EP I: RM 20K (+100%), EP II: RM 10K, EP III: RM 5K. Succession plans mandatory.

$24K–$60K/yr

DE Rantau (DN Visa)

Tech: $24K. Non-tech: $60K. 12 months via MDEC. Active for 10+ years.

RM 1M deposit

PVIP Premium Visa

20yr renewable. Work/study/business. Fee reduced 50% for 10yr (Mar 2026).

30–90 days

Tourist Visa

Most Western passports — visa free

Overview

Malaysia offers several long-term visa options for expats, including the popular MM2H programme, employment passes for workers, and dependent passes for families. English is used throughout the application process.

Key Takeaways

  • Four tiers (2026 rules): SEZ ($65K deposit, 10yr; 50+ only $32K, half withdrawable for property in Forest City), Silver ($150K, 5yr renewable, RM 600K property), Gold ($500K, 15yr renewable, RM 1M property), Platinum ($1M, 20yr renewable, RM 2M property, LIMITED WORK RIGHTS — directorships/shareholding).
  • EP I (from Jun 2026): salary RM 20,000+/mo (was RM 10,000); up to 10 years. No succession plan required.
  • Income requirement: Tech/digital professionals: min USD 24,000/yr ($2,000/mo). Non-tech professionals: min USD 60,000/yr ($5,000/mo). From non-Malaysian sources.
  • Visa-free: UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand — 30–90 days depending on nationality
  • ESD (Expatriate Services Division) portal handles Employment Pass applications — employers use this system
1

MM2H — Malaysia My Second Home

MM2H was restructured in 2025 into a 4-tier system with significantly higher thresholds. Only the Platinum tier grants limited work rights (directorships and shareholding). Property purchase required within 12 months of approval. Under-50 applicants must spend at least 90 days/year in Malaysia; 50+ have no annual stay requirement.

  • Four tiers (2026 rules): SEZ ($65K deposit, 10yr; 50+ only $32K, half withdrawable for property in Forest City), Silver ($150K, 5yr renewable, RM 600K property), Gold ($500K, 15yr renewable, RM 1M property), Platinum ($1M, 20yr renewable, RM 2M property, LIMITED WORK RIGHTS — directorships/shareholding).
  • Government fees: SEZ/Silver RM 40,000; Gold RM 55,000; Platinum RM 70,000 (one-off, plus agent fees).
  • Minimum age: SEZ 21; Silver/Gold/Platinum 25.
  • Annual stay: under-50 applicants must spend ≥90 days/yr in Malaysia; 50+ no annual stay requirement.
  • Eligible dependants: spouse, unmarried children up to 34 (not working in Malaysia), disabled children (no age limit), parents and parents-in-law.
  • All tiers require: health insurance, clean criminal record, active bank account, medical examination
  • Monthly offshore income requirement REMOVED for Mainland MM2H. After year one, up to 50% of deposit withdrawable for approved purposes.
  • Application via registered agents only; agent fees additional to government charges.
2

Employment Pass

Employment Pass for foreign nationals employed by Malaysian companies. MAJOR CHANGE: salary thresholds increase 60-100% effective 1 June 2026. Succession plans (transition to Malaysian employees) mandatory for EP II and EP III.

  • EP I (from Jun 2026): salary RM 20,000+/mo (was RM 10,000); up to 10 years. No succession plan required.
  • EP II (from Jun 2026): salary RM 10,000–19,999/mo (was RM 5,000–9,999); up to 10 years. Succession plan required.
  • EP III (from Jun 2026): salary RM 5,000–9,999/mo (was RM 3,000–4,999); up to 5 years. Succession plan required. Can now bring dependents (new).
  • Employer applies on behalf of employee via ESD (Expatriate Services Division) online portal
  • Dependent Pass available for spouse and children under 18 — accompanying right to live but not work
  • Dependent Pass holders can apply separately for a Dependent's Employment Pass to work
3

DE Rantau — Digital Nomad Pass

Malaysia's digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live and work from Malaysia for 12 months.

  • Income requirement: Tech/digital professionals: min USD 24,000/yr ($2,000/mo). Non-tech professionals: min USD 60,000/yr ($5,000/mo). From non-Malaysian sources.
  • Duration: 12 months via MDEC. Program active for at least 10 more years.
  • Must not be employed by or derive income from Malaysian entities
  • Health insurance with minimum MYR 75,000 coverage required
  • Dependants can accompany under Dependent's Pass
  • Application online via mdec.my; processing typically 2–4 weeks; fee USD 1,000
4

Tourist & Social Visit Pass

Most Western nationalities can enter Malaysia visa-free for tourism or short stays.

  • Visa-free: UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand — 30–90 days depending on nationality
  • No formal visa run needed for most; exit and re-enter freely under 90-day rules
  • Long-term tourists sometimes use repeated border runs (Singapore, Thailand) — immigration officers may eventually question this
  • Social Visit Pass extensions available in-country for limited circumstances
5

General Application Tips

Visa applications in Malaysia are generally well-organised and conducted in English.

  • ESD (Expatriate Services Division) portal handles Employment Pass applications — employers use this system
  • MM2H applications: use a registered MM2H agent — the government publishes an approved agent list
  • Passport: must be valid for 6+ months beyond intended stay
  • Criminal record check from country of origin required for MM2H and long-term passes
  • Medical examination at approved clinic required for MM2H
  • Keep multiple certified copies of all documents — originals may be requested

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FAQs

Common Questions — Visa & Residency in Malaysia

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