Golden Visa in Malaysia
Updated on Friday 27th September 2024
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Our local lawyers can cover all the legal aspects of the Malaysian investor visa and can help you move to Malaysia. An individual can get a business visa in Malaysia if he/she invests in real estate or makes a fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank. The main reason people try to get Malaysian golden visas is due to the tax system in the country. Below is information about the requirements for a business visa in Malaysia, mentioning that our team of lawyers can provide support.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Malaysia investor visa is also known as | Golden Visa or Malaysia My Second Home Program (MMH2) |
Who can access MMH2 Program? | All citizens worldwide |
Minimum investments | USD 125,000 |
| Bank deposits to join the program | Minimum RM150,000 for applicants over 50 years and minimum RM 300,000 if under 50 |
| Real estate investments available (YES/NO) | YES |
| Minimum investments in the real estate sector | RM 1 million in Kuala Lumpur, a condition imposed for foreign applicants in this city. |
| Benefits of MMH2 or Golden Visa in Malaysia | Applicants can obtain residency in Malaysia. |
| Can I get Malaysian citizenship through a Golden Visa? (YES/NO) | NO |
| Time frame to obtain Investor Visa in Malaysia (approx.) | Between 3 to 6 months |
| Working with a Malaysian Golden visa (YES/NO) | NO |
| Required documents for investor visa application in Malaysia | - proof of income, - health insurance, - clear criminal record, etc. |
| Fees for family members joining the program | Around RM 50,000 per family member. Condition imposed to applicants below 49 years of age. |
| Other types of investments part of MMH2 | RM 5 million to enter Platinum Tier and obtain permanent residency in Malaysia |
| Reasons to choose Malaysia for immigration | Great standard of living, numerous business opportunities, long-term residency in Malaysia, etc. |
| Working with our lawyers in Malaysia | We can manage the paperwork and procedures on behalf of foreigners interested in getting an investor visa in Malaysia. |
How much investment is required for a Malaysia investor visa?
The Malaysia investor visa demands a minimum deposit of USD 125,000, and a monthly income of about USD 2,500. Each applicant for Golden Visa for Malaysia needs to deposit a minimum of RM 150,000 if aged 50 or above, or RM 300,000 if aged below 50 years. It is good to note that some of this amount of money can be withdrawn after 1 year if real estate properties are purchased.
This visa procedure will take approximately 3 to 6 months. After getting the Malaysian golden visa, you and your family can live in this country for 10 years. Get in touch with us if you want to immigrate to Malaysia this way.
Malaysia My Second Home Program allows property purchase in this country, through the Golden Visa scheme. As such, a minimum investment of MR 1 million is the starting point, in the real estate sector. We highlight the fact that the golden visa in Malaysia is only available for getting residency in this country, and not citizenship. Plus, we invite you to discover more about how to obtain a long-term business visa in Malaysia.
Necessary documents for obtaining a golden visa in Malaysia in 2024
Malaysian golden visa is aimed at retirees and investors who want to relocate to Malaysia. The investment visa in Malaysia does not allow working in the country, with a certain exception. Find below the list of required documents:
- health insurance evidence;
- proof of your net wealth;
- proof of your net income;
- your bank statements;
- curriculum vitae;
- proof of clean criminal record by providing a police clearance certificate;
- medical certificate;
- certified copy of your passport;
- an authorization letter to verify your financial documents;
- evidence of purchasing property (if applicable);
- certified or original copy of your marriage certificate (if applicable);
- certified or original copy of the birth certificate (if applicable);
- covering letter;
- salary and job verification letter.
An investment visa in Malaysia can be obtained through specific programs in Malaysia. Family members can also join the Malaysia My Second Home program. The same program also called the Premium Visa Program can grant long-term multiple-entry visas. If an investment of RM 1 million is made in Malaysia to obtain residency, an additional RM 50,000 must be paid for each family member of the main applicant. This condition is available if the candidate to invest in Malaysia in exchange for residency is aged 35-49 years. Contact us if you want information about the price of a Malaysian business visa.
You can get an idea of documents from the list provided above and get yourself ready to prepare these documents when applying for a Malaysian investor visa. If you need any assistance regarding documentation for a business visa in Malaysia, our attorneys in Malaysia will guide you.
What are the requirements for a Malaysian investor visa?
An individual must fulfill the following requirements for obtaining a Malaysian investor visa:
- police clearance certificate to showcase a clean criminal record from the country of origin;
- medical insurance from any valid insurance company in Malaysia;
- a medical examination in any registered private clinic or hospital in Malaysia;
- a Malaysian sponsor to support the application and place a personal bond of up to RM 2,000 before visa issuance.
The Malaysia My Second Home Program allows applications of foreign citizens of at least 35 years old and grants a 10-year multiple-entry visa. A condition for entering this program is to spend at least 90 days in Malaysia, and such a requirement is for spouses.
If you have any questions related to the requirements for a Malaysian golden visa in 2024, you can rely on the legal services of our lawyers in Malaysia. They will help you throughout the visa procedure and provide support if you want to relocate to Malaysia. Please discover the following video with details on this subject:
What is a Business Visa for Malaysia?
A business visa for Malaysia allows foreigners to develop business-related activities, such as:
- attending seminars, meetings, business events,
- signing contracts,
- concluding business deals, etc.
Those interested in applying for a business visa in Malaysia currently do not have the opportunity to apply online. But they can collaborate closely with one of our lawyers specialized in immigration issues and who can offer legal advice. Thus, in this case, you can apply for a Malaysian tourist visa online, if you are traveling for business purposes. In this case, it is good to specify that Indian citizens can obtain multiple-entry eVisa for Malaysia, with a validity of 30 days for each entry.
The Premium Visa Program (PVIP) involves a 20-year visa for Malaysia. This kind of visa is issued for 5-year tranches, and applicants can be of any age, can work in Malaysia or open a business in this country. Having residence in Malaysia is not required for PVIP. Among the documents required to obtain a business visa in Malaysia, we list:
- a valid passport for at least 6 months from the arrival date in Malaysia,
- passport biographical page, and especially a digital image,
- digital passport-sized photo,
- bank statements for at least 3 months to prove one can sustain living in Malaysia,
- proof of accommodation in Malaysia,
- confirmed return flight tickets.
Conditions for family members of business visa applicant in Malaysia
A benefit for foreign citizens who apply for a business visa in Malaysia is that they can also include family members:
- wife,
- children,
- partners,
- legally adopted children, up to the age of 34 if single.
In this case, a minimum deposit of approximately RM 50,000 is required, only if one condition is met: the applicant must not be more than 49 years old.
We also recommend that you contact our law office in Malaysia to discover in detail the formalities and procedures for obtaining a visa to enter Malaysia for family members. Our specialists can take care of all the procedures on your behalf.
MM2H for Sarawak and Sabah, two independent states in Malaysia
Sarawah and Sabah are two independent states in Malaysia and this status implies different rules regarding immigration. Here are some examples in this case:
- RM 150,000 is the minimum investment/fixed deposit requested for entering Malaysia's My Second Home Program in Sarawak.
- In Sabah, RM 200,000 is requested as a minimum investment to join the MM2H.
- In both independent states, there is also the option to buy real estate properties of a minimum value of RM 600,000 to get residency in Malaysia.
- The residence can be renewed for another 5 years in Sabah and Sarawak.
The governments of the two independent states have recently agreed on the conditions of the MM2H program, and the applications will be accepted soon.
Does Malaysia offer citizenship by investment?
Malaysia does not have a dedicated program to obtain citizenship in exchange for investments. The focus is on investment schemes that allow obtaining residency in this country and various benefits. On the other hand, citizenship can be obtained through traditional means, respecting the imposed conditions. In this sense, foreign citizens who have a permanent residence for at least 10 years in Malaysia can start the formalities to obtain citizenship. This process can be relatively simple if you ask for specialized legal assistance from our Malaysian lawyers.
Advantages of investments for residency in Malaysia
The benefits of Malaysian residency by investment are quite many, and among them, the following are of interest:
- Foreigners enjoy the low cost of living in Malaysia, an excellent geographic location for business persons.
- The offshore tax haven of Labuan is another benefit for foreigners who want to obtain a business visa in Malaysia and enjoy a stable climate, plus a strong economy.
- Malaysia also signed many double tax agreements with several countries worldwide.
- There is no inheritance tax in Malaysia.
- English is the official business language in Malaysia. However, foreigners can communicate in Malay, Indian dialects, and Chinese.
- Malaysia is known for its solid education and healthcare system.
MM2H world’s largest investor visa
A report offered by Malaysian Reserve shows that Malaysia My Second Home program is the world’s largest investor visa:
- In 2019, Malaysia's golden visa was the world’s largest investment migration program by a wide margin;
- The Malaysian Reserve reports that, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, there were about 7,904 applications filed by the investors for Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program in 2019;
- In the period 2007-2020, more than 1,665 MMH2 approvals were issued.
- A 2,800% increase in MM2H approvals was registered so far in 2023.
- In July 2023 alone, over 400 MM2H applications were approved.
About Malaysia's country profile in a few lines
Malaysia is a top destination for those interested in tourism and those who want to invest and develop business in this country. Let's highlight some of the most important aspects of Malaysia:
- Malaysia has a population of over 33.94 million inhabitants.
- It is estimated that over 5.5 million immigrants live in Malaysia, of which over 2 million have legal residency in this country.
- The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, the country's largest city, with over 8.8 million inhabitants.
- The national language is Bahasa Malaysia while the currency is Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
- Around USD 1.162 trillion was the GDP registered in Malaysia at the end of 2023.
- Malaysia is a politically stable country, it has a developed infrastructure and a solid economy, plus an educated workforce, among others.
Why collaborate with our law firm in Malaysia
Foreign citizens who want to immigrate to Malaysia should consider specialist support from a team with experience in the field. We, therefore, recommend those interested get in touch with our Malaysian immigration lawyers to benefit from the support needed to obtain the necessary documents for immigration to Malaysia. What is good to know in this case is the fact that our lawyers collaborate with the local immigration authorities, which greatly facilitates the process of obtaining the necessary documents and the relocation itself.