Sarawak S-MM2H, explained properly
Sarawak runs its own programme, separate from the federal one. RM 500,000 in the bank, no house to buy, only 30 days a year required, and a ten-year term. The trade is geography: you live in Sarawak, on Borneo.
Sarawak MM2H requirements in 2026
- RM 500,000 in a Sarawak bank — one figure for the whole family, not per person. Half comes out after a year for a home, a car, medical bills or schooling in Sarawak.
- Proof you can support yourself, either way round:
- Income of RM 10,000 a month single, or RM 15,000 as a couple; or
- Savings of RM 100,000 single, or RM 200,000 as a couple.
- Minimum age 30. Higher than any federal tier.
- A one-off processing fee of RM 5,000.
- 30 days a year, and only the main applicant has to meet it.
- No property purchase at all.
Why people choose it
The absence of a compulsory house. That one difference removes the ten-year lock that defines every mainland tier, and it removes your exposure to the 8% stamp duty unless you decide to buy anyway. You can rent, see whether you like it, and keep your capital liquid.
The 30-day requirement is the other draw. Mainland MM2H wants 90 days from anyone under 50. Sarawak wants 30, from the main applicant only, whatever your age.
What it costs against the alternatives
| Sarawak | Forest City (50+) | MM2H Silver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tied up | ~USD 111,000 | ~USD 143,000 | ~USD 283,000 |
| Must buy a home? | No | RM 500,000 | RM 600,000 |
| Days a year | 30 | 90 if under 50 | 90 if under 50 |
| Term | 10 years | 10 years | 5 years |
| Where you live | Sarawak | Anywhere | Anywhere |
What Sarawak is actually like
Kuching is the main city — green, walkable, considerably cheaper than Kuala Lumpur, with a good food scene and an established if smaller expat community. Miri and Sibu are the other options. It's a two-hour flight to KL and about an hour and a half to Singapore.
The honest version: it is quieter than the peninsula, the international school choice is narrower, and specialist healthcare is more limited — for anything complex people fly to KL or Singapore. If that sounds like a downside, it probably is one for you. If it sounds like the point, Sarawak is very good value.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want KL or Penang. This visa doesn't cover living there.
- You need a wide choice of international schools. The peninsula has far more.
- You're under 30. You don't qualify. Forest City takes applicants from 21.
- Sabah appeals equally. It's a third of the deposit.
Common questions
What are the Sarawak MM2H requirements for 2026?
A RM 500,000 savings deposit held in a Sarawak bank covering the whole family, proof of either RM 10,000 a month income for a single applicant or RM 15,000 for a couple, or liquid savings of RM 100,000 single and RM 200,000 couple. Minimum age is 30, there is a RM 5,000 processing fee, and the minimum stay is 30 days a year for the main applicant only. No property purchase is required.
Does Sarawak S-MM2H require buying property?
No. Sarawak S-MM2H requires a RM 500,000 savings deposit but no property purchase at all. That is its main advantage over the mainland MM2H tiers, where a home held for ten years is compulsory. Sabah MM2H is similar with an even lower deposit of RM 150,000.
What is the minimum stay for Sarawak S-MM2H?
Thirty days a year, and it applies only to the main applicant. That is a third of the 90 days mainland MM2H requires from anyone under 50, and unlike the mainland rule it does not change with your age.
Can I work on Sarawak S-MM2H?
The main applicant may work part time and run a business within Sarawak, subject to approval. That is more permissive than MM2H Silver, Gold or Forest City, none of which allow any work at all.
How old do you have to be for Sarawak S-MM2H?
Thirty, which is the highest minimum age of any Malaysian long stay visa. Mainland MM2H tiers require 25 and the Forest City tier accepts applicants from 21.
Can I live in Kuala Lumpur on a Sarawak visa?
No. The Sarawak programme is administered by the state and residence is intended to be in Sarawak. You can travel to the peninsula freely, but this is not a visa for settling in Kuala Lumpur or Penang. Choose a federal MM2H tier if that is where you want to live.
Can I include my parents on Sarawak S-MM2H?
Yes, parents can be included as dependants, as can your spouse and children. The RM 500,000 deposit is a single figure covering the whole family rather than a per person amount, which makes Sarawak comparatively good value for larger families.
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.