How much money do you need for MM2H?
How much money you need for MM2H runs from about USD 33,000 to USD 1.44 million, depending entirely on which visa you go for. Most people are quoted the deposit alone. On the mainland tiers that's a bit over half the real number.
Background on the programme is in the MM2H reference.
The short answer, by visa
| Visa | Total needed | You get back | Gone for good |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabah MM2H | ~USD 33,000 | ~USD 33,000 | ~USD 0 |
| Sarawak S-MM2H | ~USD 111,000 | ~USD 111,000 | ~USD 0 |
| Forest City (50+) | ~USD 143,000 | ~USD 32,000 | ~USD 111,000 |
| Premium Visa | ~USD 267,000 | ~USD 222,000 | ~USD 44,000 |
| MM2H Silver | ~USD 283,000 | ~USD 150,000 | ~USD 133,000 |
| MM2H Gold | ~USD 722,000 | ~USD 500,000 | ~USD 222,000 |
| MM2H Platinum | ~USD 1.44M | ~USD 1,000,000 | ~USD 444,000 |
"Gone for good" is the column that matters. The deposit comes back when you leave. The house, the stamp duty and the fees don't.
What makes up the number
- The savings deposit. Refundable, and you can take out up to half after a year for approved things — buying your home, medical bills, school fees.
- The home, on mainland tiers. Not a cost exactly, but capital you can't touch for ten years in a market where selling isn't guaranteed.
- Stamp duty at 8%. Foreign buyers have paid double since January 2026. On a RM 600,000 Silver purchase that's around RM 48,000.
- The government fee, plus whatever your agent charges on top.
Do you need to show income as well?
Depends which one. Sabah and Sarawak both want RM 10,000 a month (RM 15,000 for a family). The Premium Visa wants RM 40,000 a month, which is the real gate on it. The official portal lists no income test for the mainland MM2H tiers, though some agents still ask — we've noted the disagreement on our sources page.
If your money is in assets rather than monthly income, that's an argument for Gold over the Premium Visa despite the higher figure.
The cheapest genuine answer
If Borneo works for you, Sabah asks RM 150,000 with no house at all — and you get essentially all of it back. That's roughly an eighth of what Silver ties up. We've laid out all the cheap options side by side.
And if you work online for clients overseas, look at the nomad visa before any of this. It's about RM 1,080 with no deposit whatsoever.
Common questions
How much money do you need for MM2H in 2026?
Between roughly USD 33,000 and USD 1.44 million depending on the visa. Sabah MM2H needs RM 150,000 with no property. MM2H Silver ties up around USD 283,000 once you include the USD 150,000 deposit, a RM 600,000 home and 8% stamp duty. MM2H Platinum reaches about USD 1.44 million. On the mainland tiers roughly half of the total is not refundable.
Is the MM2H deposit refundable?
Yes. The savings deposit is returned when you exit the programme, and up to half can be withdrawn after the first year for approved purposes including buying your property, medical treatment, children's education and domestic travel. The property purchase, stamp duty and government fees are not refundable.
Do you need proof of income for MM2H?
It depends which visa. Sabah and Sarawak both require RM 10,000 a month for an individual or RM 15,000 for a family, and the Premium Visa requires RM 40,000 a month. The official portal lists no income requirement for the mainland MM2H tiers, although some agents still request proof, and reports disagree on whether Gold and Platinum have one.
What is the cheapest Malaysian visa?
Sabah MM2H at RM 150,000, with no property purchase and only 30 days a year required. That is roughly USD 33,000, effectively all of it refundable. If you work remotely for clients outside Malaysia, the DE Rantau nomad pass costs around RM 1,080 with no deposit at all, though it caps at two years.
Checked July 2026 against the official MM2H portal, state programme rules and published Malaysian tax guidance. Rules change — verify before committing money.