Insights/FAQ
Relocating to Malaysia: The Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) East Malaysia Visa Program
Malaysia has emerged as a highly attractive second home location for Hong Kong people given its proximity (only a 3-4 hour direct flight away via Cathay Pacific) and pleasant year-round warm climate. Malaysia has a large Chinese-ethnic population making for ease of communication and cultural similarities. The most popular states for relocation among Hong Kong people are Penang and Kuala Lumpur, which has a 59% and 43% Chinese population, respectively. Cantonese, Mandarin and English are used in everyday life. In the 18th century, Malaysia was also a former British crown colony. Malaysia upholds a common law legal system and English is used in business dealings.
Four kinds of typical visas
- Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) Visa Program – “East Malaysia” Program
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Visa Program – “West Malaysia” Program
- Work or Spousal Visa
- Student and Guardian Visa
What is the S-MM2H program?
S-MM2H is currently the most desired method for relocation, due to its low financial entry requirements.
- Offers non-Malaysians a 5-year renewable social visit visa
- Under one application, the applicant’s long-term dependents (spouses, children under the age of 21, parents over the age of 60 and domestic helpers) can reside in Malaysia
- Dependents under the age of 21 are allowed to apply to study
- All off-shore income or funds remitted to Malaysia are tax exempt
- Pension contributions in Malaysia are tax exempt
- Ability to reside anywhere in Malaysia – in both East and West Malaysia. West Malaysia is where the states of Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru are located. East Malaysia is where the states of Sabah (Kota Kinabalu) and Sarawak (Kuching) are located.
S-MM2H’s Advantages
Friendly requirements for applicants
over 50 years old
By way of showing proof of liquid assets or monthly offshore income. Applicants over 50-years old do not need to purchase property in Sarawak.
Allowed to stay anywhere in Malaysia
In both West and East Malaysia
Fast approval process
2-3 months approval process from submission of documents
Application Requirements
| Requirements | Age 30 – 40 | Age 40 – 50 | Age > 50 | |
| Purchasing property in Sarawak | ✕ | Min. MYR600,000 Approx. HKD1,110,000 | ✕ | |
| Either having children under 18 pursuing education or either of the applicants/dependents receiving long-term medical treatment in Sarawak | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Letter of Good Conduct | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Residing in Sarawak for a min. of 15 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Medical insurance proof for applicants and all dependents | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sponsor from an MM2H agent or Sarawak person | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Monthly offshore income | MYR7,000 / approx. HKD12,950（1 person） MYR10,000 / approx. HKD18,500（2 people） |
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| Fixed Deposit with any local bank in Sarawak | Year 1 | MYR150,000 / approx. HKD277,500（1 person） MYR300,000 / approx. HKD555,000 (2 people) |
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| Year 2 | One year after the S-MM2H Visa is acquired, a portion of the fixed deposit can be withdrawn for the purchase of real estate, car, medical expenses and education. Maintain a minimum balance of: MYR90,000 / approx. HKD166,500（1 person） MYR180,000 / approx. HKD333,000 (2 people) |
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S-MM2H vs. MM2H
1. Differences in financial requirements: S-MM2H program has attractive low financial requirements compared to the MM2H program.
2. Differences in the real estate investment requirement: Under the S-MM2H program, applicants between 40 to 50 years of age are required to invest in real estate in Sarawak. Applicants over 50 years of age do not need to invest in real estate in Sarawak. Under the MM2H program, all applicants simply need to provide proof of financial capability and do not need to invest in real estate.
3. Differences in the visa period and required yearly lenght of stay in Malaysia: The term of the S-MM2H program is 5 years (renewable for a further 5 years at a time). S-MM2H holders are required to stay for at least 15 days in Sarawak each year. The term of the MM2H program is 10 years (renewable for a further 10 years at a time), and requires a minimum stay in Malaysia of 90 days.
4. Ability to work: S-MM2H holders are not allowed to work in Malaysia. MM2H holders over 50-years of age are allowed to work part-time.
Since 2016, Jade Land Properties has been referring our clients to our MM2H agent partner to facilitate the MM2H/S-MM2H application process. We provide our clients with a holistic end-to-end service.
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