Quick summary (what “Malaysia golden visa” means in 2025)

Most people using the term “Malaysia golden visa” refer to long-term residency schemes such as Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — the long-standing program that was revamped recently — plus other investor/long-stay passes introduced since 2022 (e.g., PVIP and new Investor Pass). These give multi-year residency, come in tiers with different financial requirements, and have distinct rules on work, property purchase, and family inclusion. For official program rules, the Immigration Department / Ministry of Tourism resources and recent government announcements are the authorities.

1) Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — main “golden visa” route

what it is

• A long-term residency program for foreigners allowing multi-year stay (tiered durations depending on category). It was revamped in 2024 and remains the central long-stay scheme often called a “golden visa.”

Key changes / 2024–2025 highlights

• The MM2H program was restructured with tiered packages (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and some Special Economic Zone options) and new financial/property requirements. Some age and financial thresholds were adjusted under the revamp. The government has required stronger ties to residence (for example mandatory property purchase under many tiers).

Typical tiers & example financials (illustrative — confirm exact tier you apply for)

• Silver (shorter term): lower FD/property threshold (example ranges reported ~USD 32k–65k FD for SEZ categories).
  
  

• Gold: higher fixed deposit and property purchase minimums.
  
  

• Platinum: highest tier, longer visa length, larger deposit/property minimums.
  Note: different sources and MM2H brochure list specific RM or USD amounts by age and tier; always check the official MM2H brochure/IMMIGRATION page for the exact current figures for your nationality and age.

Who can apply?

• Foreign nationals meeting age, health, good-character and financial requirements. Following the 2024 revamp some minimum age and income/deposit requirements were relaxed in certain tiers — e.g., reports note the minimum age has been lowered in some cases. Confirm for your case.

Rights & Limits

• Multi-entry long-term visa (length depends on tier).
  
  

• Can bring dependents (spouse, children, sometimes parents).
  
  

• Property purchase is generally allowed and often required by tier (minimum property values may apply).
  
  

• Work rights: MM2H typically does not grant unconditional work permission; holders may need work permits or specific approvals to work / operate a business unless a tier explicitly allows business activity (check the specific tier).

Fees & Renewals

• One-off participation fees and annual/renewal fees apply (MM2H brochure lists the fee schedule). Renewal is possible but rules depend on the tier and fulfilment of FD or property conditions.

2) Premium/Investor & long-term passes (other “golden-type” options) 

PVIP — Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (introduced 2022)

• PVIP offers a 20-year multiple-entry visa designed to attract higher net-worth individuals and investors. It may permit business activity and has higher financial requirements (reported fixed deposit and income thresholds). PVIP is marketed as a distinct, long-duration investor visa.

Investor Pass (effective 1 April 2025)

• A government announcement introduced a new Investor Pass effective 1 April 2025 to facilitate longer business/investor stays; details and FAQs are on Immigration/ESD portals. This is aimed at improving entry/retention of investment talent. If your primary purpose is business/investment rather than lifestyle retirement, this pass is relevant.

Residence Pass-Talent and other long-term work passes

• Separate routes (Residence Pass-Talent, long-term employment passes) exist for high-skilled professionals and exceptional talent — these can be 10-year renewable passes and may allow employment/business activity. They are not strictly “golden visas” but serve similar long-term residency goals for skilled migrants.

3) Practical benefits often cited (and limits you must know)

Benefits

• Long-term predictable residency (5–20 years depending on route).
  
  

• Ability to include family members.
  
  

• Easier property purchase in Malaysia (subject to minimum property value rules).
  
  

• Access to local services (education for dependents, banking) and relatively favorable living costs vs many Western countries.

4) How to apply (step-by-step, general)

1. choose which pass (MM2H tier, PVIP, Investor Pass, or a talent/residence pass).
   
   

2. check eligibility & exact financial thresholds on the official IMMIGRATION / MOTAC MM2H brochure and PVIP pages (amounts and age limits differ by tier).

3. prepare certified documents: passport, birth/marriage certificates, proof of funds/assets, bank statements, medical report, police clearance, passport photos, application forms and sponsor/agent authorization if used.

4.  submit application via official channel or registered MM2H agency depending on the program. Note: Malaysia has been digitizing visa services (MyVISA 2.0). From 1 Aug 2025 most visa applications are processed entirely online under MyVISA 2.0 — so expect online submission/processing. 

5. after provisional approval: make required fixed deposit(s) in Malaysian bank and/or complete property purchase (within the allowed time window), obtain medical insurance (if required), and complete final steps to get the pass endorsed in your passport / card. 

6. arrival & post-arrival formalities (register with immigration, collect pass card, comply with any reporting requirements). 

5) Exact money figures & examples (what sources report)

• Figures vary by tier and source. Recent guides and the MM2H brochure list FD / property thresholds in ringgit (RM) and USD equivalents. Example reported ranges by independent advisors and program guides (illustrative only — verify on the official MM2H brochure for your specific tier and nationality):
  • MM2H SEZ (younger applicants): FD as low as ~USD 32,000 (age 50+ SEZ example).
  • MM2H Gold/Platinum: substantially higher deposits and property minima (examples in market guides show ranges USD 150k–500k depending on tier).
  • PVIP: reported much larger thresholds (e.g., six-figure USD fixed deposit / income requirements).
  Always validate the exact required RM amounts in the official MM2H brochure or program FAQ before making any transfers.

6) Recent government changes to watch (2024–2025)

• MM2H revamp (June 2024) introduced tiered structure, property purchase requirements in many cases, and changes to financial thresholds. The government reported increased inflows after the revamp.

• PVIP (introduced 2022) remains a separate 20-year premium option for investors.

•  Investor Pass effective 1 April 2025 for investor/business stays. 

• MyVISA 2.0 online system: effective 1 Aug 2025 most visa applications processed fully online — important for submission and tracking. 

7) Who should pick which route

• MM2H: retirees or lifestyle migrants wanting long-stay, property purchase and family relocation (but who do not need to work in Malaysia unless separate work permit arranged).
  
  

• PVIP / Investor Pass: high-net-worth investors or business owners who want a long-term presence and more business/working flexibility.
  
  

• Residence Pass-Talent or employment long-term pass: high-skilled professionals who want to live and work long-term.

8) Practical checklist (documents to gather now)

• Clear coloured copy of passport (min 6 months validity)
  
  

• Passport photos (specs per IMI)
  
  

• Police clearance / good conduct certificate (apostilled if required)
  
  

• Medical report/health check (as required by program)
  
  

• Bank statements (3–6 months) and proof of assets / letters from banks
  
  

• Proof of income or business ownership (tax returns, company documents)
  
  

• Marriage/birth certificates for dependents (legalised/apostilled if required)
  
  

• Evidence of proposed property purchase or intent (if applying under tier requiring property)
  
  

• If using an agent: signed authorization and their license details (MM2H agencies must be registered)
  (Use the official MM2H brochure and IMMIGRATION checklist to confirm exact forms.)

Practical tips & warnings

• always verify amounts and timelines on the official Immigration/MM2H brochure (paper PDFs on gov sites) before transferring any funds. Scams and unlicensed agents exist.

• property purchases by foreigners vary by state; get a local property lawyer prior to purchase.

• consult a Malaysian tax advisor if you plan to become tax resident or earn income in Malaysia.

• if you intend to work, choose a pass that permits work (PVIP/Investor Pass or employment pass); MM2H alone may not permit employment without separate approvals.