Expat Community > Malaysia

cinnamonape
Joined 2017
Posts: 52

Sarawak MM2H

6 years ago

For those considering the Malaysia My Second Home Program one should realize that the States of Sarawak and Sabah have more autonomous Immigration systems. That means they have some control over the requirements and benefits of the MM2H.
Sabah has elected to follow the program on the Peninsula of Malaysia run out of Kuala Lumpur. Still all your paperwork needs to be submitted to the Immigration Department in Kota Kinabalu, not KL.

The Sarawak System is different. If you are actually over 50 and can find a local sponsor...it's much faster (usually 2 months), cheaper, and with fewer/lower income requirements and paperwork than the peninsular version.

Rumors are that the Peninsular MM2H are considering eliminating the "pension income option" and increasing their "proof of liquid assets" up from RM350K (for those over 50) to RM1 million [US$250K)! They also are talking about making everyone have a fixed deposit (retired or not) of RM500K (US$125K). IMHO that would essentially kill the peninsular program...but the option would be Sarawak.

Sarawak has no "proof of liquid assets" requirement AT ALL. You have two options:
1) Demonstrate that you have a government or other guaranteed monthly pension of RM7000 (@ US$1800) for single applicants (RM10K ~ US$2600 couples).
2) Deposit a Fixed Deposit in a Sarawak bank of RM100K (US$26K) for a single applicant or RM150K (US$39K) for a couple. The fixed deposit can be partially withdrawn for healthcare, property purchase, or childs education. One must maintain at least RM60K (~US$ 15,400 for the term of your stay). You can withdraw interest and the current rates range b/w 3.5-4.5%/annum.

Besides a local sponsor, like the MM2H one must have a health checkup with a doctor (including blood test, urine test and chest X-ray). The main concern is that one have no untreated communicable disease. They are not concerned about issues with chronic or age-related conditions. In fact, they encourage health tourism.

Some perks of the program.
~You get a 5 year-renewable Long Stay Unlimited Multi-Entry visa. ~You can buy property in Sarawak, but are not required to.
~There is no minimum price for renting.
~You are not taxed on foreign income.
~You may ship household articles in duty free. After 2 years you can sell items if you wish.
~You cannot work without government permission...but you can invest in a local business and supervise the operations.
~ For those over 60 proof of health insurance is not required, but health care is inexpensive and fairly high standard both technically and with Western-trained doctors.
~ Crime is famously low in Sarawak. It's like Mayberry, RFD.
~English is widely spoken.
~ Sarawak is the most multi-racial state in Malaysia...perhaps in Asia. There is cross-culture and inter-ethnic friendships and social groups at all levels.
~All religious faiths practice in Sarawak. No ethnic group or religious faith is recognized as the majority. Although Iban (Dayak) constitute the plurality of the population, other ethnic groups come in demographically quite close.
~ Several National parks are within an hour of Kuching and other major cities.

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