MalaysiaResidence
Malaysia retirement visa: MM2H Silver and SEZ/SFZ
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Silver and SEZ/SFZ categories
In short
Malaysia has no separate retirement visa; retirees use the MM2H programme. The Silver tier gives a five-year renewable pass for a USD 150,000 fixed deposit and a home worth at least RM600,000. The SEZ/SFZ tier, tied to Forest City in Johor, needs only USD 32,000 for applicants aged 50 or over and gives a 10-year pass.
Apply on MM2H (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture) checked 23 October 2026
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- No minimum stay for participants aged 50 and over; under 50 must spend 90 days a year in Malaysia.
- Validity
- Silver 5 years, SEZ/SFZ 10 years, with a multiple entry visa; renewable.
- Fee
- MYR 1,000One-off participating fee per principal for Silver and SEZ/SFZ; none for dependants. Pass fee RM500 per year plus visa fee RM0 to 50.
- Funds required
- US$150,000Silver fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank. SEZ/SFZ: USD 32,000 for ages 50 and over, USD 65,000 for ages 21 to 49.
- Work
- No business, investment or employment in either tier.
- Family
- Spouse, children under 21 (up to 34 if single and unemployed), disabled children, parents and parents-in-law.
- Where to apply
- Through a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent.
Which tier suits retirees
Silver is open from age 25 and needs a USD 150,000 fixed deposit and a home worth RM600,000 or more anywhere Malaysian property rules allow. SEZ/SFZ is open from age 21: applicants aged 50 or over deposit USD 32,000 and those aged 21 to 49 deposit USD 65,000, and the home must be bought in Forest City, Johor, at the floor price set by Johor state policy.
Participants aged 50 and over have no annual minimum stay, which is why both tiers are used by retirees. Long-term medical treatment in Malaysia is allowed during the pass.
Deposit rules
The fixed deposit must be placed with a Malaysian institution licensed under Act 758 or Act 759 of 2013 (the banking and Islamic banking statutes). After approval up to 50 percent can be withdrawn for buying the home, education, medical or tourism expenses in Malaysia. Foreign income and funds such as the deposit are tax-exempt for participants.
Fees
The participating fee is RM1,000 per principal for both Silver and SEZ/SFZ, paid once. Pass renewals within the programme period cost RM500 per year plus a visa fee of RM0 to 50. Once the maximum period has been completed, five-yearly renewals cost RM1,500 (Silver) or RM300 (SEZ/SFZ) per person and require a valid passport, a recent medical report and health insurance.
How to apply
All applications go through a MM2H agent licensed by MOTAC to the One Stop Centre MM2H. After conditional approval you have 90 days to open the deposit, take out health insurance if you are 60 or younger, complete the medical check-up and the stamped personal bond, then pay the fees and receive the pass. Residential property must be bought after approval.
- Choose a MM2H agent licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and submit your documents to the agent.
- The agent files the application with the One Stop Centre MM2H, which reviews it.
- If accepted, the Immigration Department issues a notice and conditional approval letter to the agent.
- Within 90 days, open the fixed deposit, buy health insurance, complete the medical check-up and the stamped personal bond.
- Submit these documents through the agent and pay the processing fee, participating fee, pass and visa fees.
- Receive the MM2H pass endorsement and buy the qualifying residence after approval.
Bringing family
Retirees may include a spouse, children under 21, children aged 21 to 34 who are single and unemployed in Malaysia, medically certified disabled children of any age, and their own parents or parents-in-law. Children can study up to tertiary level on the MM2H pass or be given a student pass automatically.
Documents
Required documents
Travel
- Valid passport (all pages)
Money
- Fixed deposit certificate from a Malaysian bank licensed under Act 758 or Act 759 of 2013 (the banking and Islamic banking statutes)
Insurance
- Health insurance with worldwide coverage from a Malaysian or foreign insurer (applicants aged 60 and below)
- Medical check-up report from a panel clinic or hospital appointed by MOTAC
Other
- Personal bond form stamped by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN)
Supporting documents (where they apply)
Family
- Marriage and birth certificates for dependants
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to retire in Malaysia?
The SEZ/SFZ tier of MM2H requires a fixed deposit of USD 32,000 for applicants aged 50 and over, plus a home bought in Forest City, Johor.
Do I have to live in Malaysia every year as a retiree?
Participants aged 50 and over have no minimum stay. Those under 50 must spend 90 days a year in Malaysia.
Is there an income requirement for MM2H Silver?
MOTAC's current terms are based on the fixed deposit, the participating fee and the property purchase rather than a monthly income figure.
Can a retiree on MM2H Silver work part-time?
No. Business, investment and employment are not allowed in the Silver and SEZ/SFZ categories.
Official sources
- Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC): MM2H requirements and regulations
- MOTAC: MM2H Silver category
- MOTAC: MM2H SEZ/SFZ category
- MOTAC: Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) official site
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for Malaysia
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by the immigration officer at entry; the usual period depends on nationality.
- Transit visa Processing time: Set by the Malaysian mission where you apply; apply at least three working days before the flight.
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: Social visit pass: as stamped at entry. MEV: 30 days per entry.
- Entrepreneur and start-up visa Maximum stay: New: 1 year plus 1 renewal. Established: up to 5 years plus one 5-year renewal.
- Investor visa Maximum stay: Six months, with a possible six-month extension.
Study and training
- Student visa Maximum stay: Pass duration follows the course, renewed as needed.
Work
- Work visa Maximum stay: Each pass up to 60 months, following the employment contract; total tenure up to 10 years (Categories I and II) or 5 years (Category III).
- Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months per issuance; training at a factory or hotel up to six months.
- Skilled worker visa Validity: Approved for 10 years; the ePASS is first issued for five years or the passport validity, then renewed to complete 10 years.
- Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: 3 to 12 months, renewable for 12 more months; 24 months in total.
Family
- Family reunification visa Validity: Follows the principal's Employment Pass, or the dependant's passport if shorter; LT-SVP approvals are for up to 12 months at a time.
- Spouse and partner visa Validity: LTSVP for at least six months and up to five years, subject to approval.
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Maximum stay: Minimum stay of 90 days a year for participants under 50; no maximum.
- Permanent residence Maximum stay: No time limit.
Online travel permits
- Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Validity: Submitted within three days before arrival, counting the day of submission.
- e-Visa Validity: Normally one entry within three months of issue.
Protection
- Asylum and international protection Processing time: No fixed timeline: UNHCR schedules status interviews by need, not by how long someone has been registered.