Contributed by Christopher Chan

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is promoted by the Government of Malaysia to allow foreigners who fulfil the set criteria to stay in Malaysia for as long as possible on a multiple-entry social visit pass. The Social Visit Pass is initially for a period of ten (10) years and is renewable.

This programme is open to citizens of all countries recognised by Malaysia regardless of race, religion, gender or age. Applicants are allowed to bring their spouses and unmarried children below the age of 21 as dependents.

Summary of Participating Countries by Region (from 2012 to 2018) for MM2H

Source: Malaysia My Second Home Agents Association (MM2HAA)

From the above statistics on the participating countries by region from the years 2012 to 2018 for MM2H, Asia is ranked in 1^st place, followed by Europe in the 2^nd place and the Americas in the 3^rd place.

Top 10 Participating Countries (from 2012 TO 2018) for MM2H

Source: Malaysia My Second Home Agents Association (MM2HAA)

From the above statistics on the top ten participating countries between the years 2012 to 2018 for MM2H, China is ranked in 1^st place, followed by Japan in 2^nd place and Bangladesh in 3^rd place.

There are manifold benefits that come along with MM2H and they are listed below.

Education

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash.

MM2H visa holders are allowed to bring their children who are under 21 years old and not married as their dependents under the MM2H programme. Children (above the age of 17 years old) who intend to continue their schooling in Malaysia may apply for a student pass or obtain special approval under this programme.

Student passes can be obtained with the assistance of the respective school where they will be studying.

The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia has a comprehensive list of all private institutions of learning in the country.

Income tax

Though the participants are bound by Malaysian policies, systems, and regulations of taxes, MM2H visa holders are able to enjoy added tax exemption benefits in Malaysia under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTA). Income tax is charged on a territory basis instead of on a worldwide scope basis.

Registration of Business

MM2H visa holders are allowed to register a business incorporated in Malaysia. Guidelines for incorporating a company can be obtained from the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

Domestic Helper

Photo by Ed Leszczynskl on Unsplash.

MM2H visa holders are allowed to apply for one (1) domestic helper from their home country (i.e. from countries which are permitted by the Immigration Department of Malaysia). Should they require a second domestic helper, the application will be approved on a case by case basis depending on the merit of the applicants.

Pets

Photo by Amir Ghoorchiani from Pexels.

MM2H visa holders can check with the Veterinary Import regulations to find out whether their pets can be brought into Malaysia.

Acquisition of Property

Photo by Sue Zeng on Unsplash.

For Selangor Darul Ehsan, from the Guidelines of the Department of Land and Mines (effective 1^st September 2014)

There are various laws and regulations governing the acquisition of properties by foreigners in the above guidelines. Among them which are specifically for MM2H visa holders are as follows:-

• they are able to purchase only one (1) property from the primary market only (i.e. from developers) within a particular area designated by the State Authorities.
• The purpose of the acquisition should be for residential use.
• The MM2H visa holders shall obtain an approval from the Immigration Department and to submit along with the application and the Visa/passport with the stamp ‘Malaysia My Second Home’.
• The approval for the purchase of the property cannot be transferred to another person/party.
• The thresholds of the various prices set by the State government must be adhered to.

For Kuala Lumpur, from the Guidelines on the Acquisition of Properties from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department (effective 1^st March 2014)

There are various laws and regulations governing the acquisition of properties by foreigners in the above guidelines. One of them is specifically for MM2H visa holders: any acquisition of a residential unit under the ‘Malaysia My Second Home’ Programme to be exempted from requiring the approval of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) but it would still require approval to be obtained from the relevant State Authorities.

About the Contributor

Christopher Chan is an associate director and a registered estate agent with Hartamas Real Estate Group. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand), a Post Graduate Certified Diploma in Accounting & Finance (CDipAF) (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland).

He is a Certified Residential Specialist (The National Association of Realtors, USA) and is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA).

He was a lecturer at UCSI University in the year 2008 to 2009.

He was the Director and Membership Benefits Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) for the term 2017 to 2019.

He can be contacted at christopherchan@hartamas.com.

Disclaimer

This article is intended to convey general information only. It does not constitute advice for your specific needs. This article cannot disclose all of the risks and other factors necessary to evaluate a particular situation.

Any interested party should study each situation carefully. You should seek and obtain independent professional advice for your specific needs and situation.

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