Malaysia is the Top 5 best country to retire in 2016, according to International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index. Apart from its general affordability, it has a residency visa that’s very easy to fulfill.
MM2H offers the following:
A 10-year residency visa with renewals available for an indefinite period and no minimum stay requirement.
You can personally apply from outside Malaysia with approvals often coming within 60 days.
There is no investment requirement for pensioners aged 50 and above. They only need proof of a monthly pension of RM10,000 without any Fixed Deposit requirement.
For non-pensioners, they need to deposit RM300K (under age 50) or RM150K (over age 50) in a Fixed Deposit account in their name. The FD partial amount can be withdrawn after a year.
For those above age 50 with specialised skills, you can seek employment in some sectors lacking local expertise for no more than 20 hours per week.
All visa holders can invest in businesses and own 100% of the shares.
You are allowed to purchase an unlimited number of properties, subject to a minimum of RM1 mil in most states.
You can buy any type of property except Malay Reserved land, those reserved for bumiputeras and some agricultural land. All purchases must be approved by the State authorities.
Bank financing is also easily available, with loan margins ranging from 60% to 80% depending on your personal situation and the property used as security.
Under MM2H programme, income from overseas is non-taxable (including pension) but visa holders will be subject to Malaysian taxes on income sourced from Malaysia.
This visa allows you and your family to stay anywhere in Malaysia and comes with a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to come and go out of the country hassle-free.
You can withdraw from the MM2H programme at any time and get back your FD with no hassle.