The Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) program, administered by the Sarawak state government, allows foreign nationals to reside in Malaysia long-term. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the program, focusing on its specific requirements.
What does the Sarawak MM2H (SMM2H) program entail?
The SMM2H program, like the national MM2H program, is designed to attract foreigners who wish to stay in Malaysia for an extended period for as long as possible on a 10-year renewable social visit pass with a visa for multiple entries. Participants in the program can enjoy various benefits, such as the opportunity to stay in Malaysia with their families, own property, and potentially work or engage in business activities within the country if they are approved by the government under certain conditions.
What is the key difference between Sarawak MM2H and MM2H?
One primary difference lies in the privileges granted to SMM2H participants, who are permitted to reside in both Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, whereas Peninsular MM2H participants are limited to only Peninsular Malaysia.
What are the highlights of the Sarawak MM2H program?
The Sarawak MM2H Visa offers a 10-year stay, enabling participants to fully experience Malaysia’s culture and lifestyle. A key benefit is the option to withdraw up to 40% of the fixed deposit after two years to purchase a car, house, cover medical expenses, or fund education, granted if the spending remains local. Additionally, the visa grants property ownership rights in Sarawak, presenting attractive opportunities for both investment and lifestyle enhancement.
Why Opt for Sarawak MM2H?
The Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) program, supported by the Sarawak state government, offers a unique opportunity for foreigners who meet specific criteria to reside in Sarawak with a multiple-entry social visit pass. Participants enjoy benefits such as non-taxable offshore income remitted into Malaysia, the ability to invest within the country, and the flexibility to stay indefinitely in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. This program is designed to attract global residents, providing long-term stability and seamless access to Malaysia’s diverse regions and investment opportunities.
What are the Sarawak MM2H requirements?
Successful applicants who meet the SMM2H requirements will be issued ten (10) years of approved visitor passes with a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) and renewal for a period of five (5) to ten (10) years, subject to the validity of the applicant’s passport.
Primary Sarawak MM2H requirements:
The Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) program remains open to individuals from all countries, except for Israel, Montenegro, and Yugoslavia. Applicants must be at least 30 years old, though there is no age limit for their spouses. Recent updates stipulate that individuals aged 30 and above may apply if they own a residential property in Sarawak valued at a minimum of RM600,000, have children under 21 years of age studying in Sarawak with valid student passes, or are receiving long-term medical treatment in Sarawak certified by a registered physician with the Malaysian Medical Association.
To demonstrate financial stability, applicants must provide proof of a monthly offshore income or government-approved pension funds amounting to RM10,000 for married couples or RM7,000 for single applicants. Alternatively, they can open a fixed deposit account with RM300,000 for married couples or RM150,000 for single applicants at a bank or financial institution in Sarawak. A fixed deposit certificate in Sarawak is now a mandatory requirement.
Secondary Sarawak MM2H requirements:
Approved applicants under the Secondary Sarawak MM2H program are prohibited from seeking employment or engaging in business activities without prior written permission from the State Authority. They must also avoid activities that could be deemed sensitive to the local population or pose a threat to national security. Applicants are required to maintain a fixed deposit account with a Malaysian bank and submit a medical report from a Malaysian hospital. Sponsorship by a Malaysian individual from Sarawak or a Sarawak Permanent Resident is mandatory, with the sponsor signing a Personal Bond as a guarantor.
Sponsors cannot be affiliated with certain entities, and the use of agents or intermediaries is prohibited. Participants aged 50 and above are allowed to work as part-time lecturers, sleeping partners in companies with a 51% Sarawakian and 49% foreign equity split, or in part-time positions within industries approved by the Immigration Labour Monitoring Unit (ILMU) under the Sarawak Premier’s Department. This update ensures that the program remains aligned with current regulations and provides clear guidelines for applicants and sponsors.
What is the application process for the SMM2H program?
Step 1: Submission of initial documents
Kindly provide the following documents for initial processing in your Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) application:
For the SMM2H visa application, provide scanned copies of the main biodata page of each person’s passport, the most recent six months of salary slips or other income documents, six months of bank statements showing income deposits, and six months of bank or financial statements indicating liquid funds.
Step 2: Document preparation and verification
In this phase of your SMM2H application, please assemble the following documents and send them via email for verification.
As of October 2024, the application process for the Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) program involves a detailed document preparation and verification phase. Applicants must prepare a cover letter, resume, or CV, and eight colored passport-size photographs for each person included in the application. Additionally, certified copies of all passport pages, recent six months of bank statements reflecting income deposits, pay slips, company letters, pension slips, or other income statements, and bank statements demonstrating liquid funds are required. An original Criminal Clearance Certificate from the country of citizenship for both the main applicant and spouse is also necessary.
Medical documentation is a crucial part of the process. Applicants must obtain a medical check-up report on the RBII form, full blood tests covering various health indicators, and a chest and lung x-ray for tuberculosis. All medical tests must be completed upon arrival in Sarawak to ensure applicants meet financial and health requirements for long-term residency, including access to healthcare and eligibility for residents aged 21 to 50.
Step 3: Submit the application and await approval
The Sarawak government generally issues an approval letter within 90 working days. However, please note that the process may take longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances or additional administrative requirements.
Step 4: Approval
Upon receiving conditional approval, you are required to travel to Sarawak within six months and stay for a minimum of one to three days. The visa acquisition process includes a yearly visa fee of RM500, a security bond that varies depending on your country of origin, and a Journey Performed Visa Fee of RM500 per person.
Ways in which foreigners may benefit from the SMM2H program
Here’s what you can expect from the benefits and perks of the SMM2H program for foreigners:
- Flexible entry and exit options with no restrictions on travel. The Sarawak MM2H requirements include spending a cumulative total of 90 days per year in Malaysia.
- Meeting the Sarawak MM2H requirements allows you to bring dependent children under the age of 21 who can receive education in Malaysia. Note that if dependents plan to pursue tertiary education in Malaysia, they must obtain a Student Pass as required by local institutions.
- Property Ownership: Foreigners under the SMM2H program can purchase residential properties.
- Tax Advantages: No taxation on pensions and the ability to receive offshore income, including funds transferred into the country.
- Part-Time Work: Applicants aged 50 and above can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week with permission from the Immigration Department.
- Business Ownership: SMM2H participants can own and operate a company in Malaysia.
- Maid Application: Foreigners can apply for a maid, following Immigration Department guidelines.
- Pet Ownership: SMM2H participants can bring their pets into the country.
- Dependent Eligibility: Parents can also join them as dependents through renewable visas.
Ways we can help with your Sarawak MM2H requirements
Navigating the extensive documentation and requirements for visa and permit applications in Sarawak can be time-consuming for entrepreneurs and investors. Many choose to delegate this responsibility to solution providers like Premia TNC. Premia TNC offers efficient and effective visa processing services for potential foreign workers and investors under the SMM2H program, ensuring compliance with the Ministry of Public Security and immigration department regulations.
Premia TNC is dedicated to providing a hassle-free experience, helping clients meet their Sarawak MM2H requirements, obtain multiple entry visas, establish fixed deposit accounts, and fulfill other financial obligations. Reach out to us today to streamline your visa application process and focus on your business endeavors.
FAQs about Sarawak MM2H Requirements
Q: Is it possible to deposit the fixed amount in a bank in regions other than Sarawak, Malaysia?
A: No, the fixed deposit must exclusively be deposited in a bank within Sarawak.
Q: Are there restrictions on where the children can pursue their education within Malaysia?
A: If the applicant chooses SMM2H on the condition that their children study there, the children are required to study in Sarawak.
Q: Is it possible to make temporary withdrawals from the fixed deposit and subsequently add it back later?
A: No, participants are not authorized to engage in such temporary withdrawals and replenishments.
Q: Are medical examination results conducted outside of Sarawak considered valid?
A: No, only medical examinations conducted in Sarawak will be accepted.
