{"id":36481,"date":"2017-11-27T06:38:54","date_gmt":"2017-11-27T11:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=36481"},"modified":"2020-08-04T04:11:22","modified_gmt":"2020-08-04T08:11:22","slug":"investing-abroad-in-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/investing-abroad-in-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"Investing Abroad in Malaysia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Similar to other investment visas in the region, high net worth individuals who are willing to invest a given amount into the Malaysian economy are granted fast-tracked residency. For those who can open a bank account in the country and deposit a minimum of $2 million USD, <\/span>permanent residency in Malaysia is available through investment.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s great is that the spouse and dependent children (under 21) of the investor can live in Malaysia as well and receive permanent residency after 5 years. Investors will need to maintain this $2 million USD in their account for at least five years before they can freely withdraw the money. So, while the price tag is steep, you are not required to actually use any of your money, and you can withdraw the full amount after the five years have passed. <\/span><\/p>\n

MM2H Program<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Viewed more as a retirement visa than an investment visa, the MM2H (My Malaysian 2nd Home) program, however, has some investment incentives for those looking to gain long-term residency in the country. In exchange for a ten-year multiple entry permit, applicants need to open a bank account in the country and deposit a minimum amount. <\/span><\/p>\n

Those <\/span>under 50 years<\/span><\/span> old will need to prove that they have liquid assets of $135,000 USD, or be able to prove a monthly offshore income of $10,000 USD. The minimum bank deposit is $80,000 USD and, after the first year, you are able to withdraw half of this money and invest it into an approved source in the country. This can be real estate, education, business formation, etc. You will just need to maintain the remaining $40,000 in your account to keep your MM2H permit valid. <\/span><\/p>\n

Those over 50 years old have even less investment requirements. They will need to prove $95,000 USD in liquid assets or $3,000 in pension or monthly offshore income. The minimum bank deposit is $40,000 USD. After one year, $13,000 USD may be withdrawn for approved uses in the country. A minimum balance of $27,000 USD must be kept in the account at all times. The fixed deposit may be waived for those applying under a $3,000 monthly offshore pension. <\/span><\/p>\n

The MM2H permit is not an investment visa in the sense of granting immediate permanent residency or citizenship. In fact, the permit is completely separate from the legal residency route, and time spent in the country in this manner does not count towards permanent residency or Malaysian citizenship. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are <\/span>no minimum stay requirements<\/span><\/i><\/span> with the MM2H, so those willing to open a bank account and invest this minimum amount into real esate can get legal documentation to come in and out of Malaysia freely for at least ten years. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cost Comparison<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

At present (November, 2017), the conversion rate stands at $1 USD = 4.24 Malaysian Ringgit. In addition, the cost aggregator <\/span>Numbeo<\/span><\/a> provides the following advantageous data for average costs in Malaysia:<\/span><\/p>\n