MM2H Platinum: Malaysia's 20-year pass for Americans with $1 million to park
A USD 1 million bank deposit, a RM 2 million home you keep for 10 years and a RM200,000 fee. In return: the longest MM2H pass and the right to work or run a business.
Platinum is the top federal tier of Malaysia My Second Home. It covers you, your spouse, your kids and even your parents on one 20-year multiple-entry pass. It's built for people living off capital and doesn't lead to permanent residence.
The four numbers that decide it
$1,000,000
Fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank
Half can be released for your home
$490,000
Minimum home price (RM 2 million)
Held at least 10 years
$49,000
One-time participating fee (RM200,000)
Main applicant only
20 years
Multiple-entry pass
Then RM5,000 per 5-year renewal
Who should pick Platinum over Gold
Platinum fits when your money comes from investments or a business sale, not a pension, and you want Malaysia as a base for decades. Its pass runs 20 years, against 15 for Gold and 5 for Silver. It lists business, investment and career activity as permissible.
If you mostly want to live here on savings, the lower tiers get you the same daily life for less. Gold asks for a USD 500,000 deposit and a RM 1 million home. Silver asks for USD 150,000 and RM 600,000. Dollar figures here use the September 2026 rate of RM 4.085 to the dollar.
Here's the catch
There's no finish line. Malaysia's tourism minister said in June 2024 that new Platinum, Gold and Silver participants can't apply for permanent residence, and Malaysia doesn't recognize dual nationality. You're also locked in: the home can't be sold for 10 years, and breaking the program's conditions can get the pass revoked.
Where your money actually goes
The deposit
USD 1 million in a fixed deposit at a Malaysian bank. Agents say it can be held in ringgit or dollars. After approval you can release up to half, but only for buying your home, education, medical care or travel within Malaysia.
The home
At least RM 2 million, about $490,000. Buying is compulsory once you're approved. You can trade up to a pricier place, but you can't sell for 10 years. Since half the deposit can go toward the house, the home can come out of the deposit itself.
The fees
The participating fee is RM200,000 (about $49,000) for the main applicant. Processing is RM5,000 (about $1,200) plus RM2,500 (about $610) per dependent. Agents charge on top: 2026 guides quote RM 20,000 to RM 70,000 (about $4,900 to $17,100). Stamp duty and legal fees on the home add roughly RM 50,000 to RM 70,000 (about $12,200 to $17,100).
What the pass covers
Work and business
The ministry lists business, investment and career activity as permissible on Platinum. Ask your agent what approval a specific job needs before you accept an offer.
Three generations
Your spouse, children under 21, single unemployed children up to 34, disabled children of any age, and parents and in-laws. Dependents pay no participating fee.
90 days a year, or none
Between 25 and 49, you need 90 cumulative days a year in Malaysia, and your dependents' days count. At 50 and over, there's no minimum stay.
Malaysian tax
MM2H advertises no tax on foreign funds or deposit interest. Malaysia exempts foreign income already taxed where it was earned through December 31, 2036.
How the application runs
- Hire a licensed MM2H agent. Direct applications aren't accepted.
- Get conditional approval. Some applicants are called for a police vetting interview first.
- Meet the conditions. Agents say you get about three months to open the deposit, pass the medical check at a ministry-appointed clinic (RM 500 to 1,500, about $120 to $370, per person) and buy health insurance, which they say is required.
- Fly in for final approval and the pass itself.
- Buy your home. Agents say within a year of the pass.
The ministry doesn't publish a processing time. Agents say about 3 to 4 months once your documents are in.
The U.S. side of a $1 million deposit
You still file U.S. taxes every year, and there's no U.S.-Malaysia income tax treaty or totalization agreement. A Malaysian account worth over $10,000 at any point in the year means filing an FBAR, due April 15 with an automatic extension to October 15. Line up an expat tax preparer before you wire the money.
Malaysia's other long-stay options
Malaysia's nomad pass: $24,000 a year if you work in tech, $60,000 if you don't
A pass of up to 12 months, renewable once, for people paid from outside Malaysia. Government fees for a single person's first year come to about $352.
MM2H Gold: 15 years in Malaysia for a $500,000 deposit and a home you keep
Half the deposit can pay for the house. Here's what else Gold costs, who it suits, and what it won't do for Americans in 2026.
Malaysia's Forest City MM2H: a 10-year pass that comes with a condo
The SEZ/SFZ tier drops the fixed deposit to $32,000 if you're 50 or older. The price: you buy a Forest City home of at least RM500,000 (about $123,000) and keep it for 10 years.
MM2H Silver: Malaysia's 5-year pass for Americans with savings to park
What the entry tier of Malaysia My Second Home asks of you, what you get back, and who should pick a different route.
Sarawak's S-MM2H: up to 10 years in Borneo for about $122,400 on deposit
No compulsory home purchase and a light presence rule. Here's what the pass asks for, what it costs to get, and the Sarawak-only strings attached.
Help with the parts that cost the most
A mistake on a million-dollar deposit or a 10-year home purchase is expensive. These partners cover the ground, your health coverage, your U.S. taxes and moving the money.
Christine Reynolds
Paraguay Local Guide, Malaysia Local Guide
Christine is a local guide for Malaysia and Paraguay who helps newcomers get oriented before and after the move.
Hunter Schultz
Healthcare Coach
Hunter is a healthcare coach who helps expats understand their care and coverage options abroad.
ExpatInsure
Global Health Insurance
ExpatInsure arranges global health insurance for people living outside the U.S.
MyExpatTaxes
U.S. Expat Tax Service
MyExpatTaxes prepares U.S. tax returns for Americans living abroad.
Moneycorp
Currency Exchange
Moneycorp handles currency exchange and international transfers.
MM2H Platinum questions
Can I sell the home I buy for MM2H Platinum?
Not for 10 years. You can move up to a more expensive home during that time, but selling outright breaks the program's conditions, and non-compliance can get your pass revoked.
Can I work in Malaysia on MM2H Platinum?
Yes. Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture lists business, investment and career activities as permissible for Platinum participants. Check with your licensed agent what approval a specific job needs before you accept an offer.
Can I bring my parents on MM2H Platinum?
Yes. Platinum dependents can include parents and in-laws, along with your spouse, children under 21, single unemployed children up to 34 and disabled children of any age. Dependents pay no participating fee, only a RM2,500 processing fee each (about $610).
How much does MM2H Platinum cost in total?
The government charges a one-time participating fee of RM200,000 (about $49,000 as of September 2026) for the main applicant, plus a processing fee of RM5,000 (about $1,200) and RM2,500 (about $610) per dependent. You also need a USD 1 million fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank and a home costing at least RM 2 million (about $490,000), and up to half the deposit can be released to buy that home. Agent fees, the medical check, insurance and property transaction costs come on top.
How many days a year do I have to spend in Malaysia on MM2H?
If you're between 25 and 49, you need 90 cumulative days a year, and days spent in Malaysia by your dependents count toward it. If you're 50 or older, MM2H sets no minimum stay.
Is my income taxed in Malaysia on MM2H?
Malaysia exempts foreign-sourced income that resident individuals bring in, as long as it was taxed where it was earned, through December 31, 2036. MM2H also advertises no tax on fixed-deposit interest. As an American you still file U.S. taxes every year and report the Malaysian account on an FBAR.
Do I need an agent to apply for MM2H Platinum?
Yes. MM2H applications must go through a licensed MM2H tour operating business, and direct applications aren't accepted. Agent fees aren't set by the government, so get quotes from more than one.
Does MM2H Platinum lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
No. Malaysia's tourism minister said in June 2024 that new participants in the Platinum, Gold and Silver tiers can't apply for permanent residence. Malaysia also doesn't recognize dual nationality. Platinum is a long, renewable pass, not a path to a Malaysian passport.
Weighing Platinum against Gold?
Walk through the deposit, the home and the fees with an Expatsi advisor before you commit.
Why not you?