Sam Choong

MM2H Sarawak

SARAWAK MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME PROGRAMME (“SMM2H”)

This second article for my revamped webpage is timely.  In August 2022, The Sarawak State Cabinet announced some important updates to the SMM2H Programme with effect from 1 September 2022, so I shall start this article by highlighting the main changes as SMM2H is already a well-known visa:

Before 1 September 2022

After 1 September 2022

The minimum stay in Sarawak per year is 15 days.

The minimum stay in Sarawak per year is updated to 30 days.

Applicants 50 years and above:

Must show EITHER a monthly income (salary/pension) of RM7,000 (single) or RM10,000 (couple) anywhere in the world upon application OR place a Fixed Deposit of RM150,000 (single applicant) / RM300,000 (applying as a couple) in a bank in Sarawak upon application.

Applicants 50 years and above:

Must show a monthly income (salary/pension/rental) of RM7,000 (single) or RM10,000 (couple) OR RM50,000 (single)/RM100,000 (couple) in the savings account anywhere in the world upon application AND place a Fixed Deposit of RM150,000 (single) / RM300,000 (couple) in a bank in Sarawak.

Application from abroad is possible. The applicant would need to come to Sarawak to open a fixed deposit account after approval.

Cannot work or invest/start a company.

Can work, be employed, or be involved in active investment and business.

(We note the announcement mentions “prior approval” is required before applicants can carry out the aforesaid. How this will be implemented remains to be seen so do check in with us from time to time for updates).

To give you a more comprehensive idea of SMM2H, here are the main differences/similarities between the current West Malaysia MM2H (which is usually compared by potential visa applicants when considering relocation to Malaysia) and the Sarawak MM2H as of 1 September 2022:

Peninsular or West Malaysia (MM2H)

 

Terms & Conditions

Sarawak MM2H (SMM2H)

 

Terms & Conditions

Applicants 35 years old and above only are eligible for consideration.

  1. Financial Proof: Must show Cash/Fixed Deposit of RM1,500,000 and monthly income of RM40,000 anywhere in the world prior to the approval and place a Fixed Deposit of RM1,000,000 in a Malaysian bank after approval.

(Additional RM50,000 of Fixed Deposit per dependent for main applicants aged 35 to 49 years old).

Application from abroad is possible. The applicant and his dependents only need to be in Malaysia after approval for the endorsement of the approval into their passports.

Separate categories for applicants above or below 50 years old.

  1. Financial Proof: 50 years old and above must show a monthly income (salary/pension/rental) of RM7,000 (if applying alone) or RM10,000 (if applying as a couple) OR RM50,000 (single)/RM100,000 (couple) in the savings account anywhere in the world AND place a Fixed Deposit of RM150,000 (single) / RM300,000 (couple) in a bank in Sarawak.
  2. Financial Proof: Between 40 to 50 years old can be considered if they have children attending school in Sarawak, or are themselves undergoing long-term medical treatment in Sarawak, or investing in a residential property of at least RM600,000 in Sarawak.
  3. Financial Proof: Applicants 30 to 40 years old can be considered if they have children attending school in Sarawak, or are themselves undergoing long-term medical treatment.

Financial proof for 2 & 3 includes showing a monthly income (salary/pension/rental) of RM7,000 (if applying alone) or RM10,000 (if applying as a couple) OR RM50,000 (single)/RM100,000 (couple) in the savings account anywhere in the world AND place a Fixed Deposit of RM150,000 (single) / RM300,000 (couple) in a bank in Sarawak upon application.

For those applying from abroad, the Fixed Deposit can be placed in Sarawak after approval. He & his dependents would also need to be in Malaysia after the approval for the endorsement of the approval into their passports.

 

Letter of Good Conduct

All applicant and dependents above 18 years old from the origin country (according to passport).

Letter of Good Conduct

All applicant and dependents above 18 years old from the origin country (according to passport).

Health Insurance

Local/ Worldwide which covers Malaysia.

Health Insurance

Must purchase in Sarawak only.

Medical Check-Up in Peninsular Malaysia.

Medical Check-Up in Sarawak. If applying from abroad, a medical check up from home country is required as well as a 2nd one in Sarawak after approval.

Security Bond to be paid to the Immigration Dept, per applicant and dependent. This varies depending on nationality.

For example:

  • USA: RM2,000
  • British, Europe, China: RM1,500
  • Singapore: RM200

Security Bond to be paid to the Immigration Dept only for the main applicant. This varies depending on nationality.

For example:

  • USA: RM2,000
  • British, Europe, China: RM1,500
  • Singapore: RM200

5 years visa (renewable for another 5 years provided the applicant stays a minimum of 90 days per annum). [Subject to the validity of your passport].

5 years visa (renewable for another 5 years provided the applicant stays a minimum of 30 days per annum in Sarawak). After 10 years, a fresh application is required.

[Subject to the validity of your passport].

Can start a company by being a shareholder without referring to the Immigration authorities.

Can work, be employed, or be involved in active investments and businesses.

(We note the announcement mentions prior approval before applicants can carry out the aforesaid. How this will be implemented remains to be seen, so do check in with us from time to time for any updates).

RM5,000 processing fee for principal and RM2,500 for a dependent.

Currently no processing fee.

RM500 fee per year of the visa’s duration

RM500 fee per year of the visa’s duration

Applicants must reside in Malaysia cumulatively for at least 90 days per year.

Applicants must reside in Sarawak cumulatively for at least 30 days per year.

The process takes about 90 to 120 days.

(This is the timeline furnished in the official portal. How this pans out, in reality, is yet to be seen).

The official timeline is 90 working days which is stated in the acknowledgement receipt. Our experience lately is closer to 6 months or longer, possibly due to COVID.  

For further reading, please refer to:

  • https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/08/26/abd-karim-209-sarawak-malaysia-my-second-home-applications-approved-since-2020/
  • https://dayakdaily.com/sarawaks-my-second-home-participants-allowed-to-be-employed-effective-sept-1/

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