Updates on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme by Christopher Chan

25 Jul Updates on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme by Christopher Chan

By starproperty.my

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

#	Country	Year	Total (2012 – 2018)	Share (%)
		2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
1	Asia	2,728	3,147	2,639	1,790	2,834	5,448	4,029	22,615	86.1
2	Europe	270	308	240	229	255	371	260	1,933	7.36
3	Americas	83	101	92	69	119	174	133	771	2.94
4	Pacific (Oceania)	100	95	68	97	90	141	84	675	2.57
5	Africa	46	24	35	24	49	61	28	267	1.02
6	Others	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	0.01
	Total	3,227	3,675	3,074	2,211	3,347	6,195	4,534	26,263	100

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 1st place, followed by Europe in the 2ndplace and the Americas in the 3rd place.

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

#	Country	Year	Total (2012 – 2018)	Share (%)
		2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
1	China	731	1,337	1,307	719	1,512	2,923	2,233	10,762	40.98
2	Japan	816	739	428	300	281	352	312	3,228	12.29
3	Bangladesh	388	285	250	205	283	451	220	2,082	7.93
4	United Kingdom	139	148	117	83	110	200	130	927	3.53
5	Korea	85	98	137	120	184	693	589	1,906	7.26
6	Singapore	83	145	94	67	93	117	80	679	2.59
7	Iran	201	51	17	19	8	43	91	430	1.64
8	Taiwan	85	151	83	71	77	134	30	631	2.40
9	Hong Kong	35	62	44	42	78	339	193	793	3.02
10	India	56	41	42	46	68	100	84	437	1.66
11	Others	608	618	555	539	653	843	572	4,388	16.71
	Total	3,227	3,675	3,074	2,211	3,347	6,195	4,534	26,263	100

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 1st place, followed by Japan in 2nd place and Bangladesh in 3rd 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 1st September 2014)

There are various laws and regulations governing the acquisition of properties by foreigners in the above guidelines. Among which are specifically for MM2H visa holders (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 of the Department of Land and Mines (effective 1st March 2014)

There are various laws and regulations governing the acquisition of properties by foreigners in the above guidelines. One of them is for MM2H visa holders, which allows for 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.

Above article extracted from www.starproperty.my