MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME · A GUIDE TO LIVING IN PENANG
Explore the MM2H requirements, what they mean for your family, and how a home in Penang could fit your plans.
Whether you are considering retirement, moving with children or spending part of the year here, this guide brings together the details that help you plan your next step.
Compare MM2H requirements · Talk to Danny about Penang
Danny | Penang Property & Long-Term Living Adviser
By Danny · Information checked: 22 September 2026
Malaysia My Second Home, or MM2H, allows eligible foreign nationals to live in Malaysia through a Long-Term Social Visit Pass with a Multiple Entry Visa.
It is a long-stay programme, not permanent residency. This guide covers Silver, Gold and Platinum, with different financial requirements and programme terms.
The main differences are the fixed deposit, minimum home purchase value, programme term and participation fee. Whether you intend to work or run a business in Malaysia also matters.
| Requirement | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main applicant's minimum age | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Bank fixed deposit | USD150,000 | USD500,000 | USD1,000,000 |
| Minimum residential purchase under MM2H | RM600,000 | RM1,000,000 | RM2,000,000 |
| Programme term, renewable | 5 years | 15 years | 20 years |
| One-off participation fee, main applicant | RM1,000 | RM3,000 | RM200,000 |
| Work or business in Malaysia | Not permitted under this category | Not permitted under this category | Permitted, with the relevant formalities |
Financial requirements and terms: official category overview. Work and business provisions: Silver, Gold, Platinum.
Time in Malaysia. Participants aged 25–49 must meet a cumulative 90-day annual stay requirement. This may be fulfilled by the main applicant and/or their spouse or dependants under the programme rules. Those aged 50 or over currently have no minimum stay requirement.
Processing fees. These are separate: RM5,000 for the main applicant and RM2,500 for each dependant. Medical checks, insurance, visa charges and the licensed operator's service fees also need to be budgeted for.
Official stay requirements and processing fees
The fixed deposit is money placed with a bank under the programme. The home purchase value is the property budget. Participation and processing fees are application costs. Planning for each separately gives you a clearer picture of the funds involved.
Property figures above are the MM2H category minimums; the chosen home must also meet Penang's acquisition rules. Programme terms are renewable, while the validity of each passport endorsement is also limited by passport validity.
Eligible dependants include a spouse, children, parents and parents-in-law. Children may be biological, stepchildren or adopted. Those aged 21–34 must be single and unemployed in Malaysia. There is no age limit for children with medically certified disabilities.
Yes. Eligible children can study at recognised institutions, including at tertiary level. Admissions and immigration arrangements follow the requirements of the institution and relevant authorities.
For families considering Penang, choosing a school first can make it easier to compare homes around the daily school run.
After approval, participants may apply to withdraw up to 50% of the principal for specified purposes in Malaysia, including a home purchase, education, medical expenses and tourism. Your licensed MM2H operator can help prepare the application at the appropriate stage, with the required supporting documents.
There is currently no offshore monthly income threshold for these three categories. Other application documents are still required and are prepared through a licensed MM2H operator.
Property timing: Silver, Gold and Platinum participants must complete the home purchase arrangements within one year of MM2H pass endorsement.
You can explore areas and homes earlier, so your housing plans are ready to develop alongside the application.
Application guidelines · Official property purchase announcement
The programme minimum is RM600,000 for Silver, RM1 million for Gold and RM2 million for Platinum. Your shortlist should also account for Penang's acquisition rules, the space you need and the neighbourhood you would enjoy living in.
Alongside the price, budget for stamp duty, state application and approval-related charges, legal fees, furnishings and any renovation. Financing brings additional loan-related costs.
The qualifying home generally cannot be sold for ten years, although the programme allows an upgrade to a higher-value residence.
That makes practical details worth considering from the outset: room for family visits, grocery shopping, access to healthcare and the school run, as well as the view from your balcony.
Eligible buyers can apply for suitable bank products. CIMB, for example, offers MM2H home financing that requires the programme deposit to be held with the bank, together with supporting property and income documents. The amount and terms remain subject to the bank's assessment.
These two developments offer a starting point for comparing family space and established urban neighbourhoods. MM2H purchase eligibility needs to be confirmed for the individual unit and your application category.
In Tanjung Bungah, Waterstone offers three- and four-bedroom layouts of approximately 1,334–2,195 sq ft, with sea- or hill-facing choices. Start with the layouts and surrounding north-coast neighbourhood if space is central to your plans.
Set on Cantonment Road in Pulau Tikus, this development is worth exploring if you are considering life in this part of Penang. Compare the living spaces with your everyday shopping and healthcare routes.
Looking for more homes in Penang for your MM2H plans? Talk to Danny about the options.
New applications and renewals must go through a MOTAC-licensed MM2H operator. You can check a company's status in the official register.
Renewal is available subject to the requirements at the time. The current category terms list documents including a valid passport, an updated medical report and health insurance.
Ask your licensed MM2H operator to review the property's documents and confirm whether it can meet the requirements of your application, and what supporting evidence is needed.
I help you compare Penang neighbourhoods, living spaces and homes to view. We can start with your household, budget and moving plans. The formal MM2H application is handled by a licensed MM2H operator.
Tell me what matters most to you in a home and when you are thinking of coming. A rough budget and who will be joining you are helpful starting points, too.
Whether you are exploring the idea or already planning a move, we can begin with the neighbourhoods and homes that fit your needs.
Danny | Penang Property & Long-Term Living Adviser
Information checked: 22 September 2026 | MOTAC · Official MM2H portal