FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Enquiries

• If you have a Malaysian wife/husband, may you still apply for the MM2H program?

Previously, if you had a Malaysian spouse you were not eligible for the MM2H visa and was required to apply for the ‘Spouse Visa’. Fortunately, the rules have changed and you may now apply if you have a Malaysian wife/husband.

• Do I have to move to Malaysia as soon as I get the MM2H visa?

You do not have to move to Malaysia or even spend a minimum amount of time each year. The visa allows you to come and go as you please. You will lose out on the tax-free car option if you do not apply within a certain time of your visa being approved.

• I am not married but my partner and I have been living together for a long time.
Can she apply for the program?

If you are not married, you will have to apply separately and thus you will both need to qualify for the programme.


Housing Enquiries

• Do I have to buy a property if I am approved?

The programme does not require any property purchase. According to research by The Expat Magazine, around 15 percent of applicants who move here choose to rent properties or stay in serviced apartments.

• Must foreigners buy new Malaysia property only, such as from developers, or can they purchase any property, such as from individual owners (second hand or third hand property)?

Participants can purchase any type of housing properties provided that it has been issued with CF (Certificate of Fitness).

• If I purchase a house for over 1 million ringgit, must I still place a fixed deposit?

New applicants who have purchased a house for over one million are not exempt from the fixed deposit, however they are eligible to place a lower fixed deposit of RM 100,000 (for those 50 and above) and RM 150,000 (for those below 50).


Tax Free Car Enquiries

• Can a motorcycle be exempt from paying import duty, excise duty and sales tax?

The tax waiver does not apply to motorbikes. It also excludes commercial vehicles such as vans, buses and lorries.

• Is a participant who buys a second hand car eligible for tax exemptions?
If you want to buy a car free of taxes in Malaysia then it has to be a new car. If you wish to import your own car from overseas then you must have owned it for at least 6 months before you applied for the visa.

• May an MM2H participant import/purchase more than one car to be exempt from tax?

No. The MM2H participant is only eligible to import one car. A wife and husband that have applied for the program together may not purchase one tax free car each. Furthermore, if in the future, an applicant wishes to replace their car with a new one, they must pay tax on their second car.

• When I sell my car do I have to pay tax?

The purchaser of the car will be liable to tax when he/she buys the car. This will be based upon the current market value of the car


Financial Enquiries

• When can I withdraw my fixed deposit?

After a period of one year, the participant may withdraw part of his/her fixed deposit for approved expenses relating to house purchase, education for children in Malaysia and medical purposes OR when she/he decided to terminate her stay in Malaysia by first informing the Ministry of Tourism of his/her intentions. Those below 50 must maintain a minimum RM 150,000 at all times. Those 50 and above must maintain a minimum of RM 100,000.

•My pension and other income is taxed at source. Even though it is not taxed in Malaysia, I still pay tax in my home country so I receive no financial benefits.

If your country has a double tax agreement with Malaysia (such as the UK and Germany), then you can register with the tax authorities in Malaysia, even though you have no tax liability in this country, and show this to your home country’s tax authorities, who may authorise your pension to be paid tax free.

• What is my liability for tax in Malaysia?

All income earned form Malaysia sources will be liable to taxation according to the tax laws of the country. 5% capital gains tax applies to money earned on the sale of property. There is no inheritance tax in Malaysia.

• Is the interest on the fixed deposit taxable?

There is no tax on the interest from the Fixed Deposit’s which are placed for under RM 100,000. For this reason the banks will usually split your Fixed Deposit into placements which are individually less than that amount.

• How much interest will I earn on the fixed deposit, and can I keep this money?

You may keep the interest on the Fixed Deposit. Interest paid to foreigners varies from bank to bank, but is currently around 3.0 percent.




If you have any additional questions, please e-mail us at helpdesk@mm2h.com