rELOCATING to Malaysia

Jokingly at last weeks KL Curry Club networking event, I was sat on a table with not one, but three different families who gained there MM2H visas in 2023. All hailing from different countries (UK, Australia & Belgium) we discussed what changes we believed would be made if the MM2H "was to ever reopen again" and we also joked about which of those couples were the last to be Finally accepted. Now, after what feels like a lifetime, we have seen movement in the MM2H visa becoming available to the public once again. With those who have been waiting for up to 3 years scrambling to be first in line and MM2H agents trying to pick up where they left off.

With the new program including 3 tiers of Gold, Silver and Bronze. As well as a new specialized category including Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and Special Financial Zones (SFZ), with the SEZ seeming to be the most talked about all over the Facebook and the internet.

One thing I will add, is that since I started this website, MM2H has been a big topic of conversation and I have had a lot, and I mean a LOT of requests about when the new rules will come into place and what they will be. Since I have seen an update, there has been a very mixed reaction between those who are extremely happy with reduced requirements for fixed deposits, offshore income, and liquid assets. Whilst I have also noticed a few negative responses surrounding the new changes in requirements for houses purchases, but mainly positive.

So, the first major change lowers the Fixed deposit of the silver category from RM1 Million to RM500,000 which is a considerable drop in amounts, with the other two categories staying as they were in the 2001 plans. They have eliminated the need for a foreign income, which I think is one of the decisions they have made. Previously there was a requirement of a monthly foreign income of RM40,000, which was considerably high, especially when you realize that with people being retired, this income tends to come from a private pension (Which is a large pension). When combined with the face they have dropped the minimum of RM1.5 Million in liquid funds, to disregarding this category all together - This makes it a lot more accessible to those choosing to retire here.

One new rule that seems to be swaying people for and against, is that all those on the MM2H must purchase and own a house, which I know is deterring some applicants. However, If you are planning on moving to Malaysia to retire and live your days out here, the new rules and tiers are a lot more accommodating and accessible for all. With the previous rules only accepting around 25% of applicants, this lower bar (Especially the disappearance of the foreign income requirement, should see the applications hit a similar volume to the 2018 rules and with the new foreign income taxation laws being pushed onto Expats in Thailand, English speaking Malaysia is looking like a great choice to live out your years in the comfort of the South East Asian Sun, Cost of Living and Quality of life.

Below is all the information I have compiled on the new tier systems of the MM2H - If you have any questions, or would like to know anything else as an expat in Malaysia, please send an email to: Info@relocatintomalaysia.com