7 November 2024
Citizenship by Investment in Malaysia
Interested in Malaysian citizenship by investment? You can contact our law firm in Malaysia and discuss with our attorneys all the legal matters involved.
Malaysian citizenship by investment is not offered in Malaysia through a specific program, however, foreigners can apply for permanent residence and stay in the country as long as they want. On the other hand, citizenship in Malaysia can be obtained considering a few important requirements that can be explained by our immigration lawyers in Malaysia. We are here to help you immigrate to Malaysia by handling the formalities imposed in this country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted | All |
Business investment option | Yes |
Real estate investment option | Yes |
| Other investment options (if available) | Business |
| Residence or direct citizenship option | Residence only (MM2H); there is no direct citizenship option |
| Direct immigration with family members | Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the program | – children, – parents, – spouse |
| Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment | 10 years/ 5 years |
| Dual citizenship permitted | No |
| Reasons to choose Malaysia | – ease of doing business, – incentives, – strategic geographic location, – great infrastructure |
| Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | Around 180 (visa-free or visa on arrival) |
Malaysian citizenship by investment explained
Although there is no specific program to buy citizenship in Malaysia as a foreign national who invests in this country, this status can be obtained under other conditions. Malaysia My Second Home or MM2H is a program implemented by the authorities that aim to attract foreign investors who want to relocate to Malaysia and obtain long-term residence in this country. Here are some important MM2H rules to consider:
- Under the MM2H rules in force since June 2024, a fixed deposit of USD 150,000 (Silver), USD 500,000 (Gold) or USD 1 million (Platinum) in a Malaysian bank is the first step for residency in this country.
- Applicants must be at least 25 years old and must buy a residential property (minimum RM 600,000 for Silver, RM 1 million for Gold, RM 2 million for Platinum), which cannot be sold for 10 years.
- Staying in Malaysia at least 90 days a year (applicants under 50) is another condition for accessing the MM2H program.
Once the above conditions are met, applicants can enjoy residency by investment in Malaysia, an alternative to Malaysian citizenship by investment that allows them to settle in Malaysia without any restrictions. We remind you that there is no specific program for foreign citizens to obtain citizenship by investment in Malaysia, but MM2H is the optimal solution for those who want to settle in Malaysia and enjoy the benefits. We invite you to talk to our Malaysian lawyers and find out all the details about how to move to Malaysia.
Gaining citizenship in Malaysia
Eligibility criteria for obtaining citizenship in Malaysia are clear and straightforward, and among these, we mention that applicants must be at least 21 years old and have already lived in this country for at least 10 years. Knowledge of the Malay language is an important condition that is part of the process of citizenship in Malaysia by naturalization.
The institution that verifies the necessary documents that are part of the citizenship application is the National Registration Department (JPN) in Malaysia. In addition to the standard forms with personal information, the authorities also require the birth certificate, the marriage certificate if applicable, and an entry permit for Malaysia. It is important to note that the Malaysian authorities may reject applications for citizenship if all criteria are not met, especially those for language skills and documents. It is best to talk to a lawyer in Malaysia and find out in detail the formalities for obtaining citizenship in Malaysia, either by naturalization or by birth, if at least one of the parents is from Malaysia. We also remind you that citizenship by investment in Malaysia is not possible, but those interested can apply for Malaysia My Second Home, a program designed to offer a number of benefits to those who invest in this country or who prove a sum of money in the account. You can learn more about how to relocate to Malaysia from our immigration specialists.
Citizenship by birth in Malaysia
Children born to Malaysian parents who have another place of residence may apply for citizenship by birth in Malaysia. In other words, it is not the place of birth that matters, but the origin of the parents in order to successfully apply for citizenship in Malaysia. In this regard, proof must be provided that at least one parent was a Malaysian citizen at the time of the birth with the help of birth certificates and other relevant documents. Normally, citizenship by birth is a much simpler process compared to citizenship by naturalization in Malaysia. And since the citizenship by investment in Malaysia program does not exist, foreigners have another alternative to living in this country and gaining citizenship.
Here are some statistics about immigration to Malaysia, but also about the population of this country:
- Malaysia’s population is about 34.4 million (2026), according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
- More than 3.43 million immigrants were registered in Malaysia in 2019.
- About 45% of immigrants chose Malaysia for family reunification, while another 23.6% took this step for a new career.
We invite you to contact our law office in Malaysia for details on Malaysian citizenship by investment. Our specialists can help you move to Malaysia in a fast and reliable manner.