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The rules and regulations
allowing foreigners to come
and stay in Malaysia have been
relaxed. Before 2001,
foreigners who intend to build
a second home in this country
must be at least 55 years old
or above and they must also
have reached their retirement.
Due to these stringent
requirements, the response was
not good and this prompted the
government to revise some of
the original stipulations.
Realising that foreigners who
make a second home in Malaysia
are here to stay for long term
that in turn help to boost the
economy of the country,
changes have been made to the
previous rules and
regulations. Beginning in
2001, there is no longer an
age limit imposed on such
foreigners. Applicants must
have at least RM150,000.00 in
the form of a fixed deposit in
a local bank in order to
qualify. For working
applicants, the minimum income
for singles must be at least
RM7,000.00 while for a couple,
their combined earnings must
be at least RM10,000.00. As
for applicants who are 50
years old and above, they only
need to furnish proof in the
form of the previously
mentioned fixed deposit and
also proof of their earning
power. Applicants must also
have a local guarantor except
in applications where they
meet all the rules and
regulations set out by the
Malaysian Government. For
convenience, property
developers are allowed to
become guarantors and
applicants with guarantors
supporting their application
will be exempted from an
interview with the Immigration
Department. In such a case,
the guarantor will have to
register himself with the
Immigration Department.
Applicants will be required to
go through a medical check up
and purchase medical
insurance. Successful
applicants are prohibited from
working, i.e. becoming an
employee of a company. They
are however allowed to open
their own company after
obtaining approval from the
Immigration Department.
Interested parties can apply
from the Immigration
Department, Tourism Department
and Malaysian embassies
located abroad. Applications
can also be made through
agents, lawyers and other
parties approved by the
Malaysian Government. This
“Malaysia : My Second Home”
plan is targeted at high
income earners of foreign
origin and its promotions done
by the Tourism Board of
Malaysia.
Applicants and their families
only need to hand in two
passport size photographs of
themselves and the necessary
related documents. Their
applications will be processed
and approved (if they qualify)
in 30 days’ time.
Normally, the age of an
applicant is a crucial
determining factor – the older
an applicant is, the more
chances of him obtaining
approval. Successful
applicants will be given a
visa, renewable every five
years, that has no restriction
on the number of times they
can enter Malaysia. They will
be allowed to purchase
property valued at least
RM150,000.00 and above.
“Malaysia : My Second Home”
plan actually possesses many
attractive qualities for
retired foreigners. For
example, Hong Kong nationals
find Malaysia has a lower
living standard with expenses
at a much lower rate.
Therefore retired foreigners
with their retired fund will
have more purchasing power to
spend in Malaysia compared to
their own countries.
Foreigners with children
studying in Malaysia should
consider making their second
home here as they will be able
to visit their offspring
anytime coupled with expenses
at an affordable rate. Other
type of applicants include
those whose countries are at
war and for such a group, they
do not have to wait for their
visa approval but can enter
the country direct as long as
they meet all the rules and
requirements. For further
information on “Malaysia : My
Second Home” plan, please
contact :
Ipoh-Online Sdn. Bhd.
82 & 82A, Jalan Leong Boon
Swee,
30000 Ipoh, Perak.
West Malaysia.
Tel. : 605-254 7403
Fax : 605-254 6725
Email :
cttan@ipoh.com.my
Contact Person : CT Tan
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