MM2H Hotspots for Lifestyle Living & Property
Those that have dreamed long of staying put and hold residency in Malaysia for the longest time are able to do so under the revamped Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program. This program offers residency schemes for foreigners that wish to stay and live in the country.
Some of the key changes offered by the program includes the introduction of a three- tiered system, the platinum, gold and silver as well as the compulsory purchase of a property and holding it for a duration of 10 years. With these perks, retirees, remote workers, investors and families look at it as a second residency with a long term visa, enjoying affordable cost of living, multi cultural diversity, safety and getting top notch medical care in this part of the world.
Reported by TheStar newspaper, in early 2025 there has been a total approved of 58,468 applicants thus far and an estimated number of investment value incoming valued up to RM 233.8mil (US$ 51.9mil) from deposit accounts and real estate investments totalling RM222 mil.
For an overview of incoming citizens, the top 5 nationalities that came out in the top spot for MM2H are China, followed by Korea, Japan, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Source through IMI by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
MM2H does not assign a state to its applicant, so they are free to reside and settle down in all of peninsular states in Malaysia. Based on the top 5 nationalities, this group of international applications from these countries also influences the hotspots, as they prefer urban and developed settings, therefore city centres tend to be the top choices. They look for convenience in amenities, affordability, lifestyle, connectivity and healthcare.
Kuala Lumpur city is definitely one of the hotspots for MM2H top choices that meet the criteria of urban living in Peninsular Malaysia. Other states are in Penang, known for its food, culture and beaches. A well known destination and popular with retirees. Selangor, offers proximity to Kuala Lumpur City Centre and KL International Airport, but still gives the suburban comfort for example in areas like Subang, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and many others.
Johor, is another attractive state with its close proximity to Singapore and with lower cost of living, with the RTS Link in operation the connectivity to KL City Centre is easier now.
Property threshold prices in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor vary significantly starting at RM1 million in Kuala Lumpur and reaching RM2 million in prime Selangor zones. In Johor, prices are zone and range from RM500,000 to RM2 million, offering broader options for different budgets. The Forest City Zone, Malaysia’s only SEZ-approved development, presents the most affordable entry point, while Medini Iskandar remains popular due to its close proximity to Singapore.
Beyond price considerations, lifestyle plays an equally important role in choosing where to settle. For those drawn to nature, slower-paced living, and island lifestyles, Sabah and Sarawak stand out as top choices in East Malaysia—particularly among retirees and nature enthusiasts.
In our upcoming posts, we’ll take a closer look at the Sarawak MM2H and Sabah MM2H programmes. Stay tuned.
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