Malaysia Long-Term Visa Options for Foreigners 2026 | MM2H, DE Rantau, Employment Pass Complete Guide
Malaysia long term visa options for foreigners — MM2H, DE Rantau Nomad Pass, Employment Pass, PVIP. Updated for 2026 EP salary thresholds and MM2H reforms.
Malaysia consistently ranks among the top relocation destinations for Japanese expats, offering affordable living costs, good English proficiency, modern infrastructure, and multiple long-stay visa options. Kuala Lumpur (KL) combines urban convenience with living costs roughly half of Tokyo's.
Overview of Main Visa Types
| Visa | Target | Validity | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM2H | High-net-worth individuals | 5–20 years | Property purchase required |
| DE Rantau | Digital nomads & remote workers | Up to 24 months | Accessible & affordable |
| Employment Pass | Foreign employees of Malaysian companies | Up to 10 years (new rules) | Employer-sponsored |
| PVIP | Ultra-high-net-worth individuals | 20 years | Work & business permitted, no minimum stay |
| REP | Long-term skilled professionals | 10 years | Available after 3+ years on EP |
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MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home)
Significantly revised in June 2024. Monthly income proof has been removed, but property purchase is now mandatory for all tiers, and new program fees have been introduced.
#### Silver (5-year renewable)
- Fixed deposit: USD 150,000
- Property purchase: RM 600,000+ (SPA must be signed within 12 months of approval)
- Program fee: RM 40,000
- Application fee: RM 5,000 (primary) + RM 2,500 per dependent
#### Gold (15-year renewable)
- Fixed deposit: USD 500,000
- Property purchase: RM 1,000,000+
- Program fee: RM 55,000
- Application fee: RM 5,000 (primary) + RM 2,500 per dependent
#### Platinum (20-year renewable)
- Fixed deposit: USD 1,000,000
- Property purchase: RM 2,000,000+
- Program fee: RM 70,000
- Application fee: RM 5,000 (primary) + RM 2,500 per dependent
Common terms:
- Minimum stay: 90 days/year (for applicants aged 25–49)
- Up to 50% of the fixed deposit can be withdrawn for property, medical, or education purposes
- Processing time: approximately 3–5 months
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DE Rantau Pass
Launched in 2023 for digital nomads and remote workers. Eligibility was significantly expanded in June 2024.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum annual income (tech/digital) | USD 24,000 (approx. USD 2,000/month) |
| Minimum annual income (non-tech/professional) | USD 60,000 (USD 5,000/month) |
| Validity | 12 months (renewable once, max 24 months) |
| Application fee | RM 1,000 (primary applicant) / RM 500 (dependent) |
| Processing time | 6–8 weeks |
Eligible professions (expanded June 2024): Engineers, designers, marketers, accountants, lawyers, writers, entrepreneurs (including CEOs), and other professionals working remotely for overseas clients or employers.
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Employment Pass (EP)
For foreigners employed by Malaysian companies. Major salary threshold changes take effect June 1, 2026.
#### Current thresholds (until May 31, 2026)
| Category | Monthly Salary | Max Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | RM 10,000+ | 5 years |
| Category II | RM 5,000–9,999 | 2 years |
| Category III | RM 3,000–4,999 | 12 months |
#### ⚠️ New thresholds (from June 1, 2026)
| Category | Monthly Salary | Max Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | RM 20,000+ | 10 years |
| Category II | RM 10,000–19,999 | 10 years (succession plan required) |
| Category III | RM 5,000–9,999 | 5 years (succession plan required) |
Salary requirements roughly double under the new rules. Those planning to work in Malaysia should factor this into their income planning.
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PVIP (Malaysia Premium Visa Programme)
A separate long-stay program for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, often called Malaysia's "Golden Visa." Work, business, and study are all permitted.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixed deposit | RM 1,000,000 (Malaysian licensed bank) |
| Monthly income proof | RM 40,000/month from overseas sources |
| Program fee | RM 200,000 (primary) / RM 100,000 per dependent |
| Validity | 20 years (renewable) |
| Minimum stay | None |
| Work / business / study | All permitted |
Unlike MM2H, PVIP has no minimum stay requirement and allows full work and business rights — ideal for high-net-worth individuals who want Malaysia as a base while running international businesses.
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REP (Residence Pass - Talent)
A 10-year long-stay visa for highly skilled professionals with a track record in Malaysia.
Requirements:
- Continuous Employment Pass (EP) holder for 3+ years
- Total work experience of 5+ years
- Basic salary (excluding allowances): RM 15,000/month+
- Malaysian tax filing record for the past 2+ years
- Recognized university degree or professional qualification
After obtaining REP, you can change employers freely without reapplying for a new EP.
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Permanent Residency (PR)
Malaysian PR is generally challenging, with real-world processing times of 2–5 years.
Main application categories:
- High-net-worth: Deposit USD 2,000,000+ for 5 years in Malaysia
- Skilled professionals: Recognition as a highly skilled professional
- Spouse of Malaysian citizen: Waiting period reduced from 5 → 3 years (January 2025)
- Points-based: Evaluated on work history, education, age, etc.
A Bahasa Malaysia language test is generally required.
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Cost Summary
| Visa | Main Costs |
|---|---|
| MM2H Silver | Program fee RM 40,000 + application fee RM 5,000 + fixed deposit USD 150,000 + property RM 600,000+ |
| MM2H Gold | Program fee RM 55,000 + application fee RM 5,000 + fixed deposit USD 500,000 + property RM 1,000,000+ |
| MM2H Platinum | Program fee RM 70,000 + application fee RM 5,000 + fixed deposit USD 1,000,000 + property RM 2,000,000+ |
| DE Rantau | RM 1,000 (primary applicant) |
| Employment Pass | RM 500–2,000 (often employer-sponsored) |
| PVIP | Program fee RM 200,000 + fixed deposit RM 1,000,000 |
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Pre-Move Checklist
- Verify current MM2H requirements: Requirements have continued to evolve since 2024 — check official MOTAC sources
- Note the June 2026 EP salary changes: New thresholds significantly raise the bar for local employment
- Estimate housing costs: KL expat areas (Mont Kiara, Bangsar) range from RM 3,000–6,500/month
- Arrange health insurance: Private insurance is typically required for foreigners
- Run a MoveWorth simulation: Check projected asset growth factoring in visa costs, living expenses, and taxes
Malaysia offers one of Southeast Asia's most diverse ranges of long-stay visa options. Frequent policy updates mean it's essential to verify current requirements before applying.
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References
This article is based on the following official sources.
- MM2H Requirements & Guidelines: MM2H Official Portal (MOTAC)
- DE Rantau Pass: DE Rantau Official Page (MDEC)
- Employment Pass: Expatriate Services Division (ESD)
- PVIP Details (PDF): Malaysia Premium Visa Programme FAQ (IMI)
- REP (Residence Pass-Talent): TalentCorp Malaysia – Eligibility
- General Immigration: Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia
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