The rebranding of the Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H) was officially launched by His Royal Highness Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra on 23rd March 2009, 10.00 am at Saloma Bistro & Theatre Restaurant, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC), Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Background on MM2H

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, endorsed by the Malaysian Government, was introduced in 2002 to attract foreigners to make Malaysia as their second or holiday home.

The programme is open to all foreigners, irrespective of their age. Participants who meet the programme's requirements are given a Social Visit Pass with multiple-entry visa from the Malaysian Immigration Department, valid for 10 years and renewable thereafter. MM2H participants enjoy the freedom of entering and leaving Malaysia as they wish as well as other incentives.

The rebranding of MM2H

The rebranding of the Malaysia My Second Home programme is an effort undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism with the aim of making the MM2H programme more attractive and effective. The new direction of the programme is to attract not only foreigners looking to stay long-term or retire in Malaysia, but also high net-worth individuals looking to invest in Malaysia, either by setting up their business here or by partnering with our local entrepreneurs.

In this bid to rebrand the programme as an economic and investment generating initiative, several policies within the programme have been enhanced:

• Foreign citizens have the choice of applying for the programme directly at the MM2H centre or elect to use the services of the MM2H agents licensed by the Ministry
• Qualified MM2H participants aged 50 and above with specialised skills and expertise that are required in the critical sectors of the economy are allowed to work, subject to the approval of the Expatriate Committee
• MM2H participants are now encouraged to invest and actively participate in business in the various sectors of the economy
• Foreign spouses of Malaysian nationals are also given the option to stay in Malaysia under the MM2H programme or the Spouse Programme.
• The ten-year Social Visit Pass is extended to all Silver Hair and MM2H participants who were previously approved under the five-year Social Visit Pass.
• Employment Pass holders who wish to participate in the MM2H programme are exempted from the ‘six months cooling off period' after the expiry of the Employment Pass.
• ID-Cards will be issued to MM2H participants with permanent address in Malaysia.
• Age limit of unmarried dependent children is raised from 18 years to 21 years.

In addition, administrative improvements have also been made. These include:

• Setting up of a fully functional one-stop MM2H Centre

• Providing the option to apply directly without the need to go through a licensed agent

• Developing the MM2H eligibility and application system

These new enhancements will not only benefit MM2H participants, but also Malaysia as a whole with additional income generation and transfer of knowledge, skills and experience.

For more information, please go to www.mm2h.gov.my or contact Malaysia My Second Home Centre (MM2H), Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, Level 23, Menara Dato' Onn, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur or call 03-2696 3367 / 2696 3354 / 2696 3361