HIGHLIGHTS
BECOME AN MM2H REPRESENTATIVE
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We are currently looking for people who can help represent Borneo
Vision and the MM2H programme outside of Malaysia. These people or companies have to satisfy us that they can
properly represent the programme and we will only be soliciting people who genuinely qualify and have an interest
in applying for the MM2H visa.
You can opt either to represent the company or help us by referring us to clients, for which you will earn
a commission.
Interested parties should contact zana@theexpatgroup.com
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NEWS & UPDATES
CHANGES TO GUIDELINES
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Anyone applying to the MM2H programme should be aware of a change that was made in December 2011 in regard to the
letter of good conduct that is a vital part of the application process. This document, also known as a police
clearance certificate, must be in English, and if the original is not in English it must be translated by an
official translator. This was always a requirement, but now the guidelines have gone one step further and are
insisting that the letter of good conduct, once in English, has to be certified before being submitted.
If the applicant is residing in Malaysia, the letter can be certified at the applicant’s own embassy, i.e. for an
Iranian applicant living in Malaysia, certification can be obtained at the Iranian embassy in Malaysia. If the
applicant is residing outside Malaysia, the letter can be certified at the Malaysian Embassy or Consulate in the
applicant’s country of residence. The certification must be obtained before the application is submitted.
We advise any applicants to apply for this letter and the certification as early as possible as it could take
a while to obtain.
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CHANGES TO QUALIFYING CRITERIA
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We have received information that changes are shortly to be made to certain qualifying criteria for the MM2H programme,
and these would include a lowering of the minimum income amount necessary for a single applicant.
There is also talk of the long-awaited ID card, and we have been assured (once again) that it is on its way!
These new cards with be called an i-pass and be similar to the ID cards issued to locals and working expats in
Malaysia, containing an electronic chip in them with the relevant information stored on. We advise caution with
this; it could still be a long wait until these new ‘i-passes’ materialise.
Another potential change is likely to be made to the requirements for MM2H applicants, and it could see them being
more flexible in terms of requirements for liquid assets. Currently, liquid assets need to be RM500,000 for the
under 50s and RM350,000 for the over 50s, but we have heard that fixed assets (such as property) might be accepted
for part of the amount.
We will keep you updated on these changes when they are officially announced.
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POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES
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One of the most difficult parts of the MM2H application is obtaining the Letter of Conduct, which is, in more simple
terms, a police clearance certificate from the applicant’s home country.
We strongly advise applicants to start applying for this document early in the process as it can take a long
time to secure, and make sure you obtain it before leaving your home country or you may have to make a return trip
to collect it.
The Malaysian Government are very strict on the format of these letters, and insist of receiving the original,
although we sense they may soon accept photocopies. To help MM2H-ers meets the strict requirements, the government
are (gradually) producing guidelines of what they will and won’t accept, which should help applicants be more
successful.
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WHO AND WHERE?
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The 2011 application numbers have now been released. Last years’ list topper was Japan, with 382 applications
approved; a huge increase after the 154 applications approved in 2010.
In second place was China (251), while the UK came in fifth with 138.
The total number of applications approved in 2011 was 2,155, which is an increase on the 1,499 approved in 2010.
Figures have also shown that 90% of approved applications come from licensed agents, with only 10% of applicants
applying directly, while 66% applicants were over the age of 50.
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MM2H VISA HOLDERS ENTITLEMENTS
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There has been some confusion about the entitlements of those holding MM2H visas, so here are a few things to
bear in mind:
• The MM2H visa is valid for ten years and it is renewable. We have found in our experience that
nearly everyone who applied for a renewal received it, even if their income level had dropped
below the minimum.
• Approved MM2H-ers are only allowed to work 20 hours per week (if above 50 years old) and only with
selected companies after approval from the government. We have found that, due to the difficulty in obtaining
approval, very few MM2H-ers work.
• If you decide you would like to work in Malaysia but are unable to gain approval, it is relatively
easy to switch the MM2H visa to a work permit, but you will have to re-apply for the MM2H
program if you wish to re-enter it when your work permit expires.
• No matter what agents tell you, it is not possible to gain PR (permanent resident) status once you
have an MM2H visa; the government considers MM2H visa holders ineligible.
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CHANGES TO REAL PROPERTY GAINS TAX
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The 2012 budget that was recently announced made an important change that affects MM2H-ers selling their property.
There is a small increase in the real property gains tax on foreigners selling property.
The new budget announces that 10% tax is due if the property is sold within the first 2 years of ownership, and
this drops to 5% after 2-5 years, and to zero after 5 years.
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NEW WEBSITE
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Some of you may have already spotted that we have given our MM2H website a facelift! The new site at www.mm2h.com
looks great and is much easier to use, offering a wide variety of information on the country, the MM2H program
and why Malaysia is such a great place to retire to.
We have also uploaded lots of interviews we have conducted with MM2H-ers over the past few years, offering an
insight into the process and the pros and cons of making Malaysia a second home.
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RESIDENCE PASS
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For younger people considering the Malaysia My Second Home programme a new ten-year visa which allows them to work
may be the answer.
The Malaysian Government has introduced, effective April 1 2011, a new ten year visa for people wanting to work here.
The criteria is quite tight but highly skilled people in certain sectors will be able to get a visa to work here
for ten years and the visa is linked to them and not the company they work for. This allows them to change jobs
without having to apply for a new work permit. The visa also allows their spouse to work. There are several
categories of people who will eventually be eligible for it but initially it is only available to expats working
in Malaysia. They have to have lived here for five years, earn over RM144,000 a year and be suitably qualified.
You can find out more details at www.expats.com.my/rp
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GET IN TOUCH
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We value your feedback and comments on both the service we provide and on the MM2H programme in general.
We are in regular contact with the government regarding the programme, and we always attempt to pass on the
valuable feedback gathered from MM2Hers. We also help MM2Hers make contact with other people living here under
the programme.
We look forward to hearing from you at:
W : http://www.mm2h.com/contact_us.php
E : helpdesk@mm2h.com
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About Malaysia My Second Home
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The Expat’s sister company, Borneo Vision, is a government-approved MM2H agent. If you require assistance or advice
on your MM2H application, please contact Zana at +603 20949664 for more information. Borneo Vision is also
able to provide assistance with obtaining work visas and seeking an endorsement to allow expat spouses to work
using their dependant pass. Contact us for more details.
BORNEO VISION (MM2H) SDN BHD (Company No 735406-W)
7th Floor, Syed Kerchik Foundation Building
Jalan Kapas, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
+ [view map]
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