SMM2H Approval Time and Process

@Cgdbbmw its not a scam, but Malaysian govt not happy for foreigners to come to this country,  if you have any other option better apply there.

@Park Somin thank you for your reply. In such cases, the agent shouldn't be accepting my application knowing my nationality and promising me getting the visa. I just contacted them and they still say no problem. Is there any authority / official ministry domain to check the status using the number given in SMM2H acknowledgement letter?

@Cgdbbmw...we applied in August 2022

Approval lettern cam in in August 2023.

End of  sep we came to kuching an had our passports stamped.all thankz to our agents amramez

@Cgdbbmw I think you can check from the authorities from which your agent gave you submission letter. But unfortunately Malaysia is not a good option for foreigners anymore especially for some Asian countries whose citizens are working as labourers in this country.

@zareena mahomed congratulations.  Could you please help to share your agents name and contact details.  Perhaps, I could engage them for getting visa . Appreciate it. Cheers

@Park Somin not sure about that . It could be your point of view. Being as a Singaporen,  I prefer to stay closer to my home country . Secondly, I bought a property  in Malaysia 5 yrs ago before covid under developers promise to get mm2h and covid came then everything became standstill since then. I can't sell my property now except to settle down here in Malaysia.  Hope you understand. 

@Park Somin

Mr or Ms Park

Please be more responsible to say that the Malaysian Government does not welcome foreigners.

Then why and how did you manage to be able to stay here in Malaysia.

Do you have truthful proof that show that the Malaysian Government does not welcome foreigners to live peacefully in Malaysia?

@Cgdbbmw sometimes the government really delay it

@Peter Chong honey i am not staying in Malaysia anymore. I saw there many difficulties for foreign investors and paying taxes there is waste of money. Legal work in govt offices need extra money to speed up the work. I can understand its the culture which is called minum. There are 3 states inside in a state and every state have its own immigration laws very confusing. Sabah, sarawak and KL. No doubt its a very beautiful country but unfortunately foreigners are not welcome with open heart.

@Renz MC  I am concerned about 1 Yr delay knowing others had it within a month or so ..

As a MM2H 2010 qnd renewed in June 2020 for 10 years, alot has changed, its not that foreigners are not welcome, rather its not as friendly as use to be in 2010. we found a huge change in 2019 onwards but  Malaysia is safe. so long as you dont interfere in politics and manage your own Business. we have 2 businesses but do not focus on the local market as its what i call a ”how much”  mindset. Quality is not important here nor is speed to get things done. it’s  money fIrst but not when they have to pay. So your delay in approval is nothing to do with the Agent but the governemnt who work slow. patience helps. thats my opinion as a MM2K and the Sarawak program is better, safer but time consuming.

@Cgdbbmw I don't know of anyone recently  that got it done in one month from agent submission to the release of the Letter of Approval. There are some that have waited 14-16 months. So don't think that the agent is necessarily swindling you. But if they told you originally "one month" they were truly naive or over-selling the the time for approval. Back in 2017 one could get the visa in one month if you were really lucky and avoided holidays, had a fully complete application, and happened to hit the approval meetings at the right time. But since 2021  there has been a fllod of applications, with some perhaps sketchy in terms of financials and evidence of wanting to live in Sarawak.

Some of those long delayed in the application process recently did get approvals.

I want to know update of SMM2H Sarawak details please .

Thank you

Syed Neaz Mahmud

Part of the issue is the Federal Government is also involved in the process and they are very slow in doing the security background checks. I don't know if they are simply looking at the reuired "Letter of Good Conduct" supplied by the  law enforcement authorities in the home country or if they also do some independent checks (Interpol, etc.). If the former it really should be a pro forma check and the delay is simply dilatory administration.

The Home Ministry has somrtimes stated that they are concerned about criminal cartels bribing home officials or the home governments themselves being selective in the tyes of reports issued (e.g. expelling people who are "undesirable" or sending espionage agents). If true (the Home miniter provided no evidence) then the reiability of ths requirement t all comes into question. Also many expats have either lived in Malaysia, or in another country other than the one where their passport derives from, for long periods. A more reliable report would come from that more recent country of residence - ncluding the resident countries police.

@neazma01 In my opinion the Sarwak MM2H is the best program in Malaysian for retirees and those over 50. For those over 50 there is no required property purchase (it is optional), unlike all programs in the rest f Malaysia (including Sabah). In Sarawak MM2H one can rent, simly meet the 1 month/yer visitation requirement and live elsewhere, or -again optional- buy a property. Landed property purchases must meet  minimum price of RM600,000 (@ US$125,000); there is no "floor" for strata property purchases (e.g. condos). There is no restriction on whether the optional purchase be made from  developer or on the econd-hand market.

Over 50 iears of age with appropraite credentials or degrees can work or invest but ONLY in certain sectors with government permission. The sectors mentioned were  teaching, and training local individuals. Business investment can only be in partnership with a 51% -locally owned enterprise. In general none of the mainland MM2H programs allows employment at all.

The only required purchase of property under S-MM2H is for those age 30-49, and this is exempted for those with 1)  children enrolled in a local international school or 2) those undergoing treatment of a chronic or ongoing health issue by a Sarawak physician/hospital.

As announced in June 2024 (the tiered MM2H Federal Programs - 20 year Platinum, 15 year Gold, 5 year Silver, and the special Johor Economic Zone MM2H - all require a purchase and retention of a property for ten years before resale. Most West Malaysian states have a foor of between RM1m-2million (US$215-430,000). Both SEZ-Johor and Sabahs program (announced July 2024) also requires that purchase to be a developer sold condo unit . Although they have eliminated any proof ofsalary/ension requirement for the tiered programs, the Fixed Deposits are extremely high, and there a mandatory buy in fees. In addition, there was a revision of the agents licensing process that resuted in a floor of RM40,000 being set (most agent were previouly processing applications for between RM10-15,000). This resulted in many agents elevating their fees to RM40,000 (@US$8500).

Fees for agents in Sarawak remain about the same as the earlier charged by mainland agents (@ RM10-12,000). In addition, for those that know a local Sarawakian a "sponsorship" option remains open...with the expense set between the friends.

As of July 2024 Sarawak currently has the following basic Financial requirements:

1) Fixed Deposit: Single Applicant - RM150,000 Couple - RM300,000. Up to 40% of that amount may be used after the first year for the purchase of a residential property, car, medical expenses, or childrens tuition in an international school.

AND

2a) Income: Salary or Pension amounting to RM7000 (single) or RM10,000/month (couple)  [US$1475/ US$2100] OR 2b) Proof of STABLE offshore savings deposit of RM50,000 (single)/RM100,000 (couple) in tandem with other sources of income.

There are also mandatory local medical insurance requirement (generally waived for those over 60 years of age); proof of good behavior (absence of criminal record); a Health Examination (to be performed in Sarawak) ; Bond guarantee by a local Sarawakian sponsor/ S-MM2H agent  and payment of visa (RM500/yearZ) and Security bond fees (variable by nation but generally @RM2500).

One must visit Sarawak each year for a period of 30 days or more. The requirement may be met using several visits. The via allows unlimited entry to Sarawak and Malaysia and free travel within. However a clause in the Letter of Conditional approval (from November 2022) states that one may only RESIDE in Sarawak and no other Malaysian State. Previously SMM2H recipients coud reside in West Malaysia. How long one can use an accomodation or rent in West Malaysia is not specified in the rule.

The SMM2H visa is a 5+5 year visa with the second half being awarded after a check to see if conditions are being met (new Health Check Up, required visitations, no other violation of the terms of the visa).

Appreciated your clear explanations in comparing mm2h programs.  Malaysia is a beautiful country with very frIendly people.