In this case, there is no critical need to join the program. Any foreigner can buy property in Malaysia and the MM2H program does not give the buyer any additional benefits in this respect. The MM2H visa may assist you to obtain certain services. For example, it is much easier to open a bank account and MM2H visa holders can receive level of financing generally than those without the visa. The immigration has set up special lanes for MM2H visa holders that will usually speed up clearing immigration. There is a card for MM2H visa holders called the Expat MM2H card, which enables members to get special rates at hotel and other benefits

You do not have to move to Malaysia or even spend a minimum amount of time each year once you have the visa. The visa allows you to come and go as you please. You will lose out on the tax-free car option if you do not apply within a certain time of you visa being approved.

You may set up a company in Malaysia in accordance with prevailing rules for the particular business sector. You can be a director and attend board meetings. Any income derived from this investment would be liable to Malaysian taxes.

If you are not married you will have to apply separately, which means you will both need to qualify for the program.

There is no restriction on working outside Malaysia. MM2H visa holders over 50 years of age can work up to 20 hours a week with prior approval. Unpaid work for charities is permitted.

The government has assured all applicants that they will be able to stay in the program under the same rules and conditions as when they first applied, assuming they follow the program rules and laws of Malaysia. The initial visa which is under silver hair program was for five years and now people have come up for renewal and had no problems doing so.

Agents are expected to keep up to date with program changes and know the format in which the applications should be submitted, which should make the process much easier. They will submit documents without you having to be Malaysia and when your presence is required they will escort you to the specific department. Aspects of living in Malaysia and assist with each step of the application process including any problems you may experience.

Agents can handle every step of the application process and some offer limited packages which provide assistance but let you submit and collect documents on your own. They can assist with all the other aspects of moving to Malaysia. They will usually provide a chauffeur driven car and escort to assist you with each step of the process. In addition, the agent is expected to act as you sponsor removing the requirement for a police clearance certificate which is required if you apply directly. Most agents will handle your appeal, without any additional charge, should your initial application be turned down for any reason.

Banks have to specially mark all MM2H fixed Deposits so they know that they can only be withdrawn with approval from the Ministry of Tourism. You are allowed to withdraw all but RM 100,000 (RM 150,000 if under 50) after one year to cover expenditure on buying a house in Malaysia, educating your children in Malaysia, or to cover medical expenses of anyone here under the program. You have to submit proof of the relevant payment and the ministry will authorize the withdrawal of the funds. The remaining deposit can only be withdrawn if you cancel the MM2H visa.

You can keep the interest on your FD. Interest paid to foreigners varies from bank to bank, but is currently around 3.0 percent.

Any income derived from outside Malaysia will not be taxable. All income earned from Malaysia sources will be liable to taxation. Malaysia currently does not tax gains on the sale of property if property was bought over 5 years. There is no inheritance tax in Malaysia. People who have tax deducted at source on pensions can usually get this stopped if they register with Malaysia tax authorities and show this evidence to their home country’s tax authorities. However this will only be possible if the countries have a double taxation agreement. Avoiding tax on you investments may be possible by placing them in offshore funds where dividends and interest are not taxed at source.

There is no tax on the interest from FDs which are placed for under RM 100,000. For this reason banks will usually split your FD into placements which are individually less than that amount.

Unless you are strongly attached to your car, we recommend buying one in Malaysia. Although you are only permitted to buy locally assembled cars and not those imported fully built up, there is a reasonable selection to choose from. The procedure to import a car is more complicated than getting approval to buy a local car. You also must have owned the car at least six months before making the application for the visa and obtain approval to import it within six month of getting the approval. Most of the major auto manufacturers assemble some of their models in Malaysia. This means spare parts are readily available and local garages are able to carry out repairs without charging the earth. Locally produced cars have greatly improved in both quality and design and they now reliability and value.

Malaysia currently allows people to bring in maids from several countries, with the Philippines and Indonesia being the most. Filipinas usually speak English whereas most Indonesians only speak their own language.