Malaysia · Temporary Residence
Residence Passes in Malaysia for Founders
Long stays in Malaysia come from passes rather than residence permits. Established tech founders hold the RP-MTE, while investors and retirees can use Malaysia My Second Home, now split into Silver, Gold, Platinum and a special zone tier.
- Startup route
- Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP)
- Minimum capital
- No fixed capital; MYR 50,000 balance shown at renewal
- Permanent residence
- No set period; discretionary Entry Permit
- Citizenship
- 10 of the last 12 years' residence
Residence Pass for Established Entrepreneurs (RP-MTE)
The RP-MTE is the residence document of the MTEP Established Entrepreneur track. It runs for up to five years and can be renewed for another five, with renewals filed in the MTEP system two months before expiry. At renewal, MDEC asks for a Malaysian sponsor form, company incorporation records, the latest monthly tax deduction document, EPF statements or staff contracts, audited accounts or year-to-date management figures, product milestones for the previous and current year, proof of health insurance for the holder and dependents, and three months of personal bank statements with at least MYR 50,000 in cash each month. Holders must file Malaysian tax returns.
- Validity
- Up to 5 years, renewable for 5 more
- Renewal timing
- File 2 months before the pass expires
- Fees
- MYR 4,860 processing plus MYR 500 pass fee
- Dependents
- MYR 2,160 each for children under 18
- Spouse
- May work in Malaysia
- Tax
- Holders file Malaysian income tax
Requirements
- Malaysian sponsor form and company incorporation records.
- Latest CP39 monthly tax deduction document and an EPF statement or employee contracts.
- Certified audited accounts or management accounts for the year to date.
- Personal bank statements for three months showing at least MYR 50,000 each month in cash deposits.
- Proof of active health insurance for the holder and dependents.
How to apply
- Respond to the renewal survey MDEC sends three months before expiry.
- Submit the renewal in the MTEP system at least two months before expiry.
- Pay the processing fee and collect the renewed pass.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Silver, Gold and Platinum
MM2H issues a renewable multiple-entry social visit pass to foreigners who place a fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian bank and buy a home. Silver requires USD 150,000 on deposit and a property worth at least MYR 600,000 for a five-year pass. Gold requires USD 500,000 and MYR 1 million for fifteen years, and Platinum requires USD 1 million and MYR 2 million for twenty years. Purchased homes cannot be sold for ten years except to upgrade, and up to half of the deposit can be withdrawn after approval for housing, education, medical or tourism costs. Principal applicants must be at least 25, and participants under 50 must spend 90 days a year in Malaysia.
- Silver
- USD 150,000 deposit; MYR 600,000 home; 5-year pass
- Gold
- USD 500,000 deposit; MYR 1 million home; 15-year pass
- Platinum
- USD 1 million deposit; MYR 2 million home; 20-year pass
- Participation fee
- MYR 1,000 Silver; MYR 3,000 Gold; MYR 200,000 Platinum
- Business and work
- Permitted only at the Platinum tier
- Annual pass fee
- MYR 500
Requirements
- Be at least 25 years old as the principal applicant.
- Place the tier's fixed deposit with a bank licensed under Malaysian financial services law.
- Buy a residence meeting the tier's minimum value and keep it for at least ten years, upgrades excepted.
- Spend at least 90 days a year in Malaysia if under 50.
- Apply through a licensed MM2H agent via the MM2H One Stop Centre.
How to apply
- Choose a tier and a licensed MM2H agent.
- Submit the application through the One Stop Centre; the Immigration Department makes the final decision.
- After approval, open the fixed deposit and buy the qualifying property.
- Collect the pass with its multiple-entry visa.
MM2H Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ)
The SEZ/SFZ tier links MM2H to Forest City in Johor. Principal applicants aged 21 to 49 place USD 65,000 in a fixed deposit, and those aged 50 and over place USD 32,000. Participants must buy and own a residence in Forest City after approval, with the minimum price following Johor state property policy, and may not sell it for ten years except to upgrade. The pass runs for ten years with a multiple-entry visa and is renewable. A one-off participation fee of MYR 1,000 applies to the principal and renewal costs MYR 300. Business, investment and employment activities are not permitted, and a medical check-up is compulsory.
- Location
- Forest City, Johor
- Deposit
- USD 65,000 under 50; USD 32,000 at 50 and over
- Pass
- 10 years, renewable
- Fees
- MYR 1,000 to join; MYR 300 to renew
- Property
- Purchase in Forest City; floor price set by Johor policy
- Work
- Not allowed
Requirements
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Place the age-based fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian financial institution.
- Buy and keep a Forest City residence for at least ten years, upgrades excepted.
- Complete the compulsory medical check-up.
How to apply
- Engage a licensed MM2H agent and apply through the One Stop Centre.
- After approval, fund the deposit and complete the Forest City purchase.
- Collect the ten-year pass.
Choosing between a founder pass and MM2H
The two routes rest on different logic. MTEP passes depend on building a technology company and proving its progress at each renewal, and they carry work rights tied to that venture. MM2H depends on parked capital and property, and except at the Platinum tier it bars business, investment and career activity in Malaysia. A founder planning to operate a Malaysian company therefore needs an MTEP pass or an Employment Pass even if MM2H would cover the right to live there, while a Platinum participant may combine a twenty-year stay with business activity.
Questions and answers
Can MM2H participants run a business in Malaysia?
Only Platinum participants. The Silver, Gold and SEZ/SFZ category pages list business and investment activities and career opportunities as not allowed, while the Platinum page lists both as permissible. Platinum also carries the highest costs: a USD 1 million deposit, a MYR 2 million home and a MYR 200,000 participation fee.
Can I withdraw my MM2H fixed deposit?
Partly. After MM2H approval, participants may withdraw up to 50% of the fixed deposit principal to buy a residence or to pay for education, medical care or tourism in Malaysia. The remaining principal stays subject to MOTAC's programme conditions.
Does MM2H lead to permanent residence in Malaysia?
The official MM2H pages describe a renewable social visit pass and do not set out any route to permanent residence. Permanent residence is granted separately as an Entry Permit at the government's discretion, so MM2H participation does not on its own confer any right to it.
Official sources
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) (MOTAC)www.mm2h.gov.my
- MM2H Guidelines (MOTAC)www.mm2h.gov.my
- MM2H Platinum Category (MOTAC)www.mm2h.gov.my
- MM2H SEZ/SFZ Category (MOTAC)www.mm2h.gov.my
- MTEP FAQ Version 3.0 (January 27, 2025) (MDEC)www.mdec.my
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Malaysia.
Startup visa
PVP-MTE for new tech founders: 1 year plus 1 renewal, based at a hub
02Temporary residence
RP-MTE for established founders: up to 5 years, renewable once
03Permanent residence
Entry Permit at the government's discretion; no published timeline
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 10 of 12 years' residence; dual nationality barred