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How to verify a licensed MM2H agent

By Robin Ooi Updated 6 min read

An agent is mandatory; direct applications are not accepted. That makes agent selection the single highest-risk decision in the process. Four checks catch nearly everything: confirm the company on the official MOTAC list, match the licence number to the exact name on your contract, insist the government fee is quoted separately, and never surrender original documents.

Because you cannot submit an MM2H application yourself, the agent is not an optional convenience — they are a compulsory intermediary holding your documents and, often, your money. The programme is legitimate and most licensed agents are competent. The complaints that do surface cluster tightly around four failures, and all four are avoidable before you sign anything.

Four checks to verify a licensed MM2H agent A four-step verification sequence. Step one, confirm the company appears on the MOTAC licensed agent list. Step two, match the licence number to the exact company name on the contract. Step three, confirm the government government fee is quoted separately from the agent fee. Step four, confirm no original documents leave your possession. Any step that fails means stop. Verification sequence — all four must pass CHECK 01 On the official licensed list mm2h.gov.my CHECK 02 Licence number matches contract exact legal name CHECK 03 Government fee quoted separately not bundled CHECK 04 Originals stay with you copies only Any check fails → stop and walk away A licence can be verified in under five minutes. An agent who resists any of these four is telling you something. My Second Home · verified July 2026
The whole verification takes under five minutes. Most reported problems trace back to skipping check three or check four.

Check 1 — Is the company on the official licensed list?

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture publishes the list of licensed MM2H companies. Check the company against it directly on the government site. Do not accept a screenshot, a PDF, or a licence number quoted in an email. Licences are also revoked and suspended; a company that was licensed in 2023 may not be now.

Check 2 — Does the licence match the entity on your contract?

This is the check people skip. Marketing names, trading names and the legally licensed company name frequently differ. The licence must belong to the exact legal entity that appears on the contract you sign and the account you pay into. A mismatch here is the mechanism behind most "my agent turned out not to be licensed" stories.

Check 3 — Is the government fee quoted separately?

The government fee payable to the government is fixed and public: RM 1,000 for Silver and SEZ, RM 3,000 for Gold, RM 200,000 for Platinum. Your agent's fee is theirs to set. A legitimate quote separates the two so you can see both. A single bundled number is not automatically dishonest, but it prevents you from checking whether the government portion is being marked up — and marked-up government fees, along with inflated compulsory insurance and medical charges, are the most commonly reported billing complaint.

Check 4 — Do your original documents stay with you?

Agents need certified copies. They do not need to retain your original passport, marriage certificate, or birth certificates indefinitely. The most damaging complaints on expat forums involve originals held by an unresponsive agent, sometimes released only on payment of an additional fee. Provide certified copies, and if originals must be sighted, have them sighted and returned in the same meeting.

Fee patterns worth a second look

None of these is proof of anything on its own. Two or more together justify getting a second quote: a bundled fee that cannot be itemised; pressure to pay before you have seen the licence; compulsory insurance or medical checks only available through the agent; a fee for releasing your own documents; and any guarantee of approval, which nobody can give because approval is a government decision.

What an agent cannot do

  • Guarantee approval. Security vetting is run by the Home Ministry.
  • Change a requirement. Deposits and property minimums are set by policy.
  • Get you permanent residence. New MM2H participants are explicitly not eligible for PR.
  • Expedite the queue in exchange for a premium fee.

Common questions

Do I need an agent to apply for MM2H?

Yes. Direct applications are no longer accepted. Applications must be submitted through a company licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This is why verifying the licence before paying anything matters so much — the agent is a compulsory intermediary, not an optional service.

How do I check if an MM2H agent is licensed?

Check the company against the official licensed-agent list published by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on the government MM2H portal. Verify it yourself on the government site rather than accepting a screenshot or a licence number supplied by the agent, and confirm the licence belongs to the exact legal entity named on your contract.

How much should an MM2H agent charge?

Agent fees vary and are not fixed by government. What is fixed is the government government fee: RM 1,000 for Silver and SEZ, RM 3,000 for Gold and RM 200,000 for Platinum. A legitimate quote itemises the government fee separately from the agent's own fee so you can see both.

Should I give my original passport to an MM2H agent?

No. Agents need certified copies, not indefinite custody of originals. Where an original must be sighted, arrange for it to be sighted and returned in the same meeting. Retained originals are the most damaging pattern in reported agent disputes.

Verified July 2026. Government participation fees are published by MOTAC. This page describes verification practice; it is not legal advice and My Second Home does not recommend, rank or receive any fee from any MM2H agent.