MM2H Gold, explained properly
Gold asks USD 500,000 and a home worth RM 1,000,000. You get fifteen years instead of five — and that is genuinely all you get. No work rights, no shorter property lock, no route to permanent residence. All in, about USD 722,000.
For the programme as a whole — history, rules and how the tiers compare — see the complete MM2H reference.
What you need
- A savings deposit of USD 500,000, half of it withdrawable after a year for approved things.
- A home worth at least RM 1,000,000, kept for ten years.
- Minimum age 25.
- Government fee of RM 3,000.
- 90 days a year if you're under 50, none if you're over.
- Medical insurance if under 60, clean record, medical report, licensed agent.
What it actually costs
| What | How much | Back? |
|---|---|---|
| Savings deposit | USD 500,000 | Yes |
| A home | RM 1,000,000 (~USD 222,000) | After 10 years, if it sells |
| Stamp duty at 8% | ~RM 80,000 | No |
| Government fee | RM 3,000 | No |
| Total | ~USD 722,000 | ~USD 222,000 of it, no |
The comparison nobody makes for you
Gold costs about USD 440,000 more than Silver. What you get for that is ten more years on the visa. Nothing else changes.
Now put it next to the Premium Visa:
| MM2H Gold | Premium Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Total tied up | ~USD 722,000 | ~USD 267,000 |
| How long | 15 years | 20 years |
| Can you work? | No | Yes |
| Days here a year | 90 if under 50 | None |
| Must buy a home? | RM 1,000,000 | No |
The Premium Visa is longer, cheaper, lets you work, and doesn't tie you to a house. It does ask you to show RM 40,000 a month coming in, which Gold doesn't. If you can show that income, it is genuinely difficult to argue for Gold.
Who Gold suits
Someone who wants a long, quiet, settled arrangement, has the money sitting there anyway, and either can't or would rather not evidence RM 40,000 a month. If your wealth is in assets rather than income, Gold's lack of an income test is the thing that makes it work for you.
Who should look elsewhere
- You can show RM 40,000 a month. Price the Premium Visa first.
- Five years is enough. Silver saves you USD 440,000.
- You want to work here. Gold won't let you.
About that income requirement
The official portal lists no income test for any tier. Several agents and one parliamentary report say Gold and Platinum still require proof of income from overseas — figures of RM 40,000 a month get quoted. We go with the official portal and flag the disagreement on our sources page. Ask your agent directly before you assume either way.
Common questions
What are the MM2H Gold requirements?
A savings deposit of USD 500,000 and a home worth at least RM 1,000,000 kept for ten years, with a minimum age of 25 and a RM 3,000 government fee. You need to be in Malaysia 90 days a year if you are under 50, with no minimum at 50 and over. Gold does not allow you to work in Malaysia.
Is MM2H Gold worth it compared to Silver?
Gold costs roughly USD 440,000 more than Silver and the only thing it buys is ten extra years on the visa. There are no additional work rights, the property lock is still ten years, and neither tier leads to permanent residence. If long term security is what you want, the Premium Visa gives twenty years plus work rights for around a third of Gold's total cost.
Does MM2H Gold require proof of income?
The official MM2H portal lists no income requirement for any tier. However several licensed agents and a 2025 parliamentary report describe a continuing requirement for Gold and Platinum, with figures around RM 40,000 a month quoted. Treat the official portal as authoritative but ask your agent directly, because practice appears to vary.
How long is the MM2H Gold visa valid?
Fifteen years. That sits between Silver at five years and Platinum at twenty. The property you buy must still be held for ten years regardless of which tier you are on.
Can I upgrade from MM2H Silver to Gold later?
Tier changes are handled case by case through your licensed agent and are not automatic. In practice most people who expect to want a longer term apply for it at the outset, because upgrading means a fresh assessment under whatever rules apply at that time.
Is the Premium Visa better than MM2H Gold?
On cost, clearly. The Premium Visa gives twenty years rather than fifteen, allows you to work, imposes no minimum stay and requires no property purchase, for roughly USD 267,000 against Gold's USD 722,000. The catch is that it requires proof of RM 40,000 a month in income, which MM2H Gold does not test.
Checked in July 2026 against the official MM2H portal and state programme rules. Ringgit converted at USD 1 = RM 4.50, which moves. Rules change — check before you commit any money.