Chinese nationals filed half the applications. Property purchases now outweigh fixed deposits, reversing the order Malaysia reported for 2025.
Malaysia’s tourism minister has asked the Immigration Department to increase checks on MM2H participants who do business without permission. MOTAC lists business as permissible only on the Platinum tier, which made up 46 of the program’s 3,172 approvals in 2025.
Most golden visas cover a spouse and minor children. These nine go further, allowing parents, grandparents, siblings, and adult children well into their thirties.
MM2H approved 9,511 participants in 18 months after managing just 1,900 in the three years prior; 2,637 property transactions remain pending.
Following its 2024 overhaul, MM2H posted an 84% boost in inflows, including RM237 million in property and RM597 million in deposits.
Chinese nationals lead both the Federal and Sarawak MM2H programs, accounting for a total of more than 15k applications.
Since its inception, the MM2H program has granted residency to nearly 60,000 applicants, cementing its status as one of the leading programs in the region.
Chinese and UK applicants lead the pack as 450 successful applicants secure Sarawak RM90 mil in deposits ahead of the upcoming changes
Sarawak changes S-MM2H deposit threshold, income rules, new fees, and agent licensing criteria from January 1, 2025.
Gov’t warns of blacklisting MM2H agents spreading misinformation; Vincent Fong hopes for potential residence exemption for investors over 50.
Decentralization of MM2H management allows Sabah to directly regulate agents and enforce program rules at state level.
Sabah officially opens its 10-year residency MM2H program with income, deposit, and real estate requirements.
Malaysia unveils new MM2h regulations, removes PR pathway, adjusts investment amounts, and issues updated license renewal criteria.
Malaysian government overhauls MM2H program; licensing delays worry agents as new regulations aim to streamline process and curb misconduct.
Malaysia’s PViP flops, registering only a total of 47 applicants in over a year. Government may review the program.
Malaysia is in the midst of its third MM2H revision in as many years. Some 56,000 participants remain active, nearly half of them Chinese.
The stories that really captured the attention of IMI’s readers in 2023, from Portugal’s golden visa saga to Dominica’s loss of visa-free UK.
Malaysia has made its MM2H program more attainable for most people. But market observers say the reforms will not suffice to tip the scales.
The MM2H closed for new applications last month pending revised terms. Stakeholders hope for sharply reduced costs, writes Jolie Zhang.
The Premium Visa Program (PViP), meanwhile, has received an average of under 5 applications a month since opening a year ago.
