FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (FAQ) – SARAWAK/MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME (S-MM2H) 

(A) S-MM2H Visa

Q1: What is S-MM2H Visa?

A1: S-MM2H Visa is a ten (10) years Social Visit Pass with Multiple Entry Visa. Successful applicants will be issued MM2H visa as long as the holders do not violate the rules and regulations of the Sarawak Immigration Department. The S-MM2H visa is renewable / extendable at the end of the 10 years period provided if you fulfill all criteria set by the Sarawak Immigration Department.

Q2: If my passport is valid for the next three (3) years, will I receive the full ten (10) years visa endorsement? 

A2: The S-MM2H visa endorsement will be given based on the validity of your passport. You will be entitled to receive up to ten (10) years visa if your passport is valid for the next ten years. If your passport is only valid for 3 years, you will only be given a 3-year visa. You may receive the balance of the ten-year visa upon renewal of your passport.

Q3: What is the minimum day to stay in Sarawak per year after obtaining the S-MM2H visa endorsement? 

A3:

S-MM2H pass holder must stay in Sarawak for a minimum of 30 days a year. If the pass holder fail to fulfill this requirement, his/her S-MM2H pass will be terminated.

S-MM2H pass holders may visit and leave as you wish with no restrictions after you obtained the S-MM2H visa endorsement.

Q4: Who grant the approval of S-MM2H application?

A4: The Immigration Department of Sarawak.

Q5: Who can apply for S-MM2H?

A5: S-MM2H Programme is open to citizens of all countries that have diplomatic relation with Malaysia (except Israel) which is in line with Federal Government’s policy on foreign diplomatic relations.

Q6: What are the categories of S-MM2H application?

A6:  There are 3 categories of application as follows:

(i) Applicants who are 50 years of age and above (no age limit for spouse); or

(ii) Applicants who are 30-49 years of age:

(a) with investment in residential real estate in Sarawak amounted to at least RM600,000; or

(b) They must have children (below 18 years old) who are studying in Sarawak; or

(c) They are undergoing long term medical treatment in Sarawak with his/her condition verified by the Government Medicial Specialist from the Government Hospital in Sarawak.

Q7: What are the financial requirements of the applicants?

A7: Applicants are expected to be financially capable of supporting themselves during the participation in the programme. All applicants are required to show proof of financial capability by:

(A)   Opening a fixed deposit account with any bank in Sarawak with a deposit amount of at least RM300,000 (for couple) and RM150,000 (for individual);

AND

(B) (i)  Showing proof of government approved monthly pension fund of at least RM10,000 (for couple) and RM7,000 (for individual). (for applicants who are 50 years old and above);

or

(B) (ii)  Showing proof of monthly off-shore income fund of RM10,000 (for couple) and RM7,000 (for individual). (for applicants who are 30 years old and above);

or

(B) (iii) Showing proof of a saving account statement worths RM100,000 (for couple) and RM50,000 (for individual).

Applicants are required to maintain a minimum balance of RM180,000 (for couple) and RM90,000 (for individual) in their fixed deposit account during their participation in the programme.

Q8: What do you recommend to improve my chances of approval?

A8: While you are required to place a fixed deposit and/or show proof of income, these are only the minimum requirements. In order to receive approval, you must show that you have a strong financial background. (Extra documents, not compulsory.)

Q9: What are other conditions for submission of application?

A9: 

(i) All applicants and their spouse and dependents (if any) are required to submit their medical report to show their state of health conditions during the application for review and approval.

(ii) the Main applicant must submit a Resume and both the main applicant and the spouse must submit their Letter of Good Conduct from their origin country.

(iii) Applicants are strictly forbidden from participating in activities sensitive to local people, politics, missionary and activities that are provocative, instigative in nature and sensitive that could threaten the security of the country.

(iv) Applicants are required to purchase medical insurance for themselves and dependents. (Only for applicants below 60 years old.)

Q10: Do I need to be in Sarawak when applying for a renewal?

A10: Yes, all participants MUST be present in person with their passport in Sarawak to receive the S-MM2H visa endorsements from the Immigration of Malaysia. All renewals must be done one (1) month prior to the expiry date.

All S-MM2H visa holders need to stay a minimum of 30 days per year in Sarawak to qualify them for a renewal of S-MM2H visa.

Q11: Do I have to stay in Sarawak after joining this program?

A11: After completing your landing visit to Sarawak, you are free to enter and leave the country without any restrictions.

Q12: Can the Social Visit Pass be extended after 10 years?

A12: Yes. All applicants who wish to continue the programmer for the second 10 year should submit their application to the Immigration Department of Malaysia, Sarawak as a NEW APPLICATION. New application should be submitted 6 months before the pass expiry.

Q13: After joining this program, can I apply for Permanent Residency?

A13: No. Under this programme participant is not allow to apply for Permanent Residency.

Q14: Can I use my existing non-cash assets in Sarawak to fulfill the S-MM2H condition?

A14: No, they cannot be considered equivalent to the fixed deposit requirement. However, we strongly advise you to include whatever assets you have in Sarawak or elsewhere as your supporting financial documents when you make your S-MM2H application.

Q15: Who qualifies as dependents?

A15: Applicants may apply their spouse, unmarried children below the age of 21 and not married and parents.

Applicants are required to purchase medical insurance for themselves and dependents.

Q16: How long does the approval process take for my application?

A16: Under normal circumstances, the applications will either be approved or rejected within 9 – 12 months from the submission of application.

Q17: What were the main reasons applications were being rejected?

A17: Most rejected cases were due to the failure in showing proof of strong financial status and unsatisfactory background checks. As mentioned above, applicants with just enough cash available for the required fixed deposit and meeting the minimum requirement for monthly income may not be approved.

Q18: If I have been staying in Malaysia for years, can I apply for S-MM2H?

A18: Yes, but you cannot have any pass/visa issued by Malaysia before submitting your application.

Q19: Can S-MM2H participants work in Malaysia?

A19: All participants are not allowed to work or employed by any institutions during their participation in the programme, except where permission has been granted by the Director General of Immigration, Sarawak.

Effective from 1st August 2023, participants of S-MM2H who are 50 years of age and above are allowed to work or act as:

(a) Part-time lecturer;

(b) Sleeping partner in a company with Bumiputera’s shareholding of at least 51%;

(c) Any part-time work approved by ILMU, Premier’s Department.

Applications must be made to MTCP and be approved by the approval committee under the State Secretary Department.

Successful applicants are:

– strictly prohibited from participating in activities which are sensitive to local people,

politics, missionary and activities that are provocative, investigative in nature and

sensitive that could threaten the security of the country; and

– required to maintain a minimum balance of RM180,000 (for couple) or RM90,000

(for individual) in the S-MM2H fixed deposit account in any local bank in Sarawak.

Q20: Do I need a sponsor for my application?

A20: Yes, all applications must be bonded by a sponsor who originated from and currently staying in Sarawak OR by a MM2H licensed agent that is registered in Sarawak only.

(B) Fixed Deposits: 

Q1: Which banks am I required to place my fixed deposit?

A1: You may place your fixed deposit at any financial institution, including foreign banks with local branches in Sarawak.

Q2: Can my fixed deposit at the Malaysia bank be made in foreign currency?

A2: The fixed deposit for this programme MUST be made in Malaysian Ringgits; any amount beyond the stated requirement can be made in most foreign currency.

Q3: Can I open a current account with the banks in Malaysia?

A3: By presenting the original S-MM2H Conditional Approval Letter and your passport, you may open a personal saving and current accounts in Malaysia.

Q4: Can I withdraw my fixed deposit any time during my stay in Malaysia?

A4: Participant under S-MM2H can withdraw after one (1) year for  purchase of house, car, children education or medical purpose. Participants must maintain a minimum balance of Fixed Deposit amounted to RM180,000.00 (for couples) and RM90,000 (for individual) from second year onward for the whole duration of stay under S-MM2H.

Q5: Can I place the fixed deposit in a Malaysia bank located in my country?

A5: No. Participants have to open a fixed deposit account in any local branches of banks or financial institutions in Sarawak.

Q6: Am I allowed to withdraw my fixed deposit for a few months and then top it back later?

A6: No. Participants are not allowed to do this.

Q7: When can I withdraw my fixed deposit?

A7: After a period of one year, the participant may withdraw his/her fixed deposit for approved expenses relating to house purchase, education for children in Sarawak and medical purposes OR when he/she decides to terminate his/her stay in Sarawak by first informing the Ministry of Tourism of his/her intention at Malaysia My Second Home Centre. Participants can apply to withdraw part of their fixed deposit for emergency cases such as medical purposes, etc. with prior approval of the Ministry of Tourism.

(C) Medical Treatment: 

Q1: Can I receive medical treatment in Malaysia?

A1: Yes you can receive medical treatment from any clinics, medical centres, hospitals throughout Malaysia.

(D) Education: 

Q1: Should I apply S-MM2H for my children who are / will be attending school in Sarawak?

A1: Can, but they can only get student pass.

Q2: Do kindergarten level children need Student Visas to attend kindergarden here?

A2: Children below the school going age (7 years old) are not required to apply for Student Visas. They need only apply for a Social Visit Visa.

Q3: If my children are already married and want to study in Sarawak with their husbands, do they need to pay the fixed deposit? 

A3: Not necessary. They can apply for a Student Visa once they have obtained places of study in Sarawak.

Q4: Can the children of successful applicants attend school in Sarawak?

A4: Yes, they may do so by having Student Pass and they should be insured throughout their stay in Sarawak.

(E) House Purchase: 

Q1: Are the participants entitled to any special entitlements?

A1: All participants are allowed to purchase residential properties at the minimum purchase price for foreigners established by the respective the state government. The current minimum price is RM600,000 per unit in Sarawak.

Q2: Can I purchase a house for residential purpose and a shop lot to be rented out?

A2: No, you are only allowed to purchase residential properties.

Q3: Do I have to pay the yearly assessment and quit rent for my houses like the locals?

A3: Yes.

Q4: In the event of unforeseen death can the participants Sarawak assets be handed over smoothly to any of his beneficiaries. Does the Government have any restriction on this matter? 

A4: No. Participants may transfer their property to their next-of-kin provided they have made a will to this effect. In the event of lack of documentation, the next-of-kin may claim the inheritance upon proof of identity and kinship.

Q5: Must foreigners buy new Sarawak property only, such as from developers, or can they purchase any property, such as from individual owners (second hand or third hand property)? 

A5: Participants can purchase any type of housing properties provided that it has been issued with OP (Occupation Permit).

Q6: Can I apply for local financing from a local bank to purchase a house in Sarawak?

A6: Yes, you may apply for the loan in Sarawak subject to the terms and conditions of respective banks or financial institutions