Malaysia combines tropical living, modern infrastructure, multicultural society, and one of Southeast Asia's most affordable costs of living. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru are popular expat hubs. The MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) program offers long-term residency for qualified applicants.
Last updated: March 2026 — Editorial Team, eVisa-Card.com
Key options: MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) — 5-year renewable social visit pass, requires RM 1M liquid assets or RM 40k/month income; DE Rantau Digital Nomad Pass (12 months, for remote workers earning $24k+/year); Employment Pass (EP) for company-sponsored workers.
DE Rantau: apply at mdec.my, require proof of $24k+/year foreign income, health insurance. MM2H: apply via approved agents, RM 1M liquid assets required.
Enter visa-free (many nationalities) and convert to long-term pass after approval.
Open with Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, or Hong Leong Bank. Required: passport + pass. Online banking in English available.
If earning Malaysia-source income, register with Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). MM2H and DE Rantau holders earning only foreign income are generally not taxed.
Public hospitals available to residents, but private hospitals preferred by expats. Prudential BSN Takaful, AXA Affin Life, Great Eastern. Budget RM 2,000-RM 8,000/year.
Notify the immigration department of your address. Required for MM2H annual reporting.
Exchange your home country licence at JPJ (Road Transport Department) with passport and social visit pass.
KL city centre 1-bed: RM 1,800-RM 3,500/month. Penang 1-bed: RM 1,200-RM 2,500/month. Johor Bahru: RM 800-RM 1,800/month. Sabah/Sarawak: RM 700-RM 1,500/month.
Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, HSBC Malaysia. Open with valid pass + passport. GrabPay, Touch 'n Go eWallet popular. Wise for international transfers.
Excellent private hospitals (Sunway Medical, Pantai, Prince Court) at very affordable prices vs West. Public hospitals available for residents. Private insurance RM 2,000-RM 8,000/year.
KL (comfortable): RM 5,000-RM 8,000/month (~$1,100-$1,800). Penang: RM 3,500-RM 6,000/month. Malaysia offers world-class infrastructure at very affordable prices.
As of 2022 revision: minimum RM 1,000,000 liquid assets (offshore), minimum income RM 40,000/month, fixed deposit RM 1,000,000 in Malaysian bank. Age: 35+.
MM2H is a social visit pass — employment not permitted. You can do part-time consulting with special permission, or apply for a separate Employment Pass.
Foreigners can own property above RM 1,000,000 in value (varies by state). No land ownership restrictions for high-value property.
Generally safe. Petty crime in city centres. Avoid walking alone late at night in certain areas. Strong rule of law.
No — English is widely spoken in KL, Penang and business settings. Basic Malay is appreciated.