Malaysia long-stay visas: MM2H, work, dependent, student, PVIP

There is more than one way to stay in Malaysia long term. The visa that suits you differs according to your purpose (work, bringing family, education, retirement, investment). This article sets out the main options. Requirements, amounts and how they are administered are subject to revision, so always check the latest information before applying.

Main long-stay visas

• MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home): A programme for long-term stays. It has requirements such as deposits and income, and revisions have been made over time. You can check the latest requirements and your eligibility with the MM2H eligibility check and the 2026 requirements guide.
• Employment Pass (work): A work visa for those employed by a Malaysian company. There are requirements on job position and salary.
• Dependent Pass (accompanying family): A residence status for bringing the spouse and children of a worker or an MM2H holder.
• Student Pass (students): A visa based on enrolment at a school. The procedure is generally handled through EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services).
• PVIP (Premium Visa Programme): A long-stay programme for wealthy applicants.
• DE Rantau (digital nomads): A pass for remote workers.

Choosing by purpose

• Working locally: consider the Employment Pass as the basis
• Moving as a family: combine a Dependent Pass with the status of a worker or an MM2H holder
• For a child's education: work out the Student Pass together with the guardian's accompanying status
• Retirement or a long stay: compare MM2H and PVIP

Points to note when deciding

• Restrictions on buying and selling property can differ from programme to programme
• Check renewal conditions and requirements on the number of days of stay in advance
• Plan the residence status of the whole family together

Which visa suits you differs with your circumstances. Start with the MM2H eligibility check for a rough idea, and for a broader discussion covering work, dependants and education, we can arrange support in English, Japanese, Chinese and Malay through a free consultation. To look for a home, start from the property listings.