The MM2H fixed deposit is USD 150,000 for Silver, USD 500,000 for Gold and USD 1,000,000 for Platinum. For SEZ/SFZ it is USD 65,000 or USD 32,000 by age. The deposit sits in a licensed Malaysian financial institution. A maximum of 50% may be withdrawn for four stated purposes.
The deposit is the largest financial condition of the programme. It is not a fee. This guide sets out every deposit rule that the official pages publish, as captured on 16 October 2026, and flags where the sources disagree.
The amount by category and age
The category pages state the deposit in US dollars. The SEZ/SFZ amount depends on the age of the principal at application.
| Category | Age of principal | Fixed deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 25 and above | USD 150,000 |
| Gold | 25 and above | USD 500,000 |
| Platinum | 25 and above | USD 1,000,000 |
| SEZ/SFZ | 21 to 49 | USD 65,000 |
| SEZ/SFZ | 50 and above | USD 32,000 |
The MOTAC category insights document repeats the same five figures in one row. The MOTAC endorsement checklist lists each amount next to the category and marks every one as "tagged LIEN".
Where the deposit may sit
Every category page uses the same condition: the deposit sits "in any Malaysian financial institution licensed under the Financial Services Act 2013 [Act 758] or Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 [Act 759]". Act 758 covers conventional institutions. Act 759 covers Islamic institutions. An institution licensed under the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 [Act 759] also qualifies.
The MOTAC checklist describes the deposit as "tagged lien". The Immigration Department renewal list asks for an original confirmation letter from the bank that the deposit is "tagged under lien". The institution holds the deposit against the programme condition. You cannot close the account on your own while the pass runs.
The 28 May 2025 MOTAC announcement adds a currency note. It encourages the deposit to be placed in Malaysian ringgit equivalent to the US dollar value for each category. The announcement does not state the exchange rate. No official page publishes one.
Opening the account
The official pages describe the deposit as a document, not a procedure. The MOTAC guide lists the fixed deposit certificate as the first of five documents that the applicant prepares within 90 days of the conditional approval letter. The other four are health insurance for applicants aged 60 and below, the medical check-up report, the personal bond stamped at LHDN, and a valid passport.
The deposit condition does not require a specific bank; the MOTAC page lists a financial partners download whose content was not captured. The capture recorded the title of that "List of Financial Partners" download only. Ask your licensed MM2H company which institutions it has worked with. Then confirm the licence under Act 758 or Act 759 with the institution itself.
The 50% withdrawal rule
A maximum withdrawal of 50% is allowed on the principal deposit value. The category pages and the 2024 MOTAC conditions list the same four purposes.
| Purpose | Stated on |
|---|---|
| Purchase of a residence | Every category page, 2024 conditions |
| Education | Every category page, 2024 conditions |
| Medical | Every category page, 2024 conditions |
| Tourism activities in Malaysia | Every category page, 2024 conditions |
The sources differ on when the withdrawal is allowed. The category pages say "after the approval as MM2H participant has been obtained", the MOTAC guide says "starting from the second year onwards after the approval", and the MOTAC insights document says "ALLOWED AFTER 1 YEAR". The ledger records this as a conflict. Ask the One Stop Centre for the timing that applies to your approval before you plan a purchase around the withdrawal.
The 28 May 2025 MOTAC announcement sets eligibility windows for the withdrawal towards a house. For Silver, Gold and Platinum, a house bought within two years before the pass endorsement qualifies. For SEZ/SFZ, a house bought within six months before the pass endorsement qualifies. In each case the house value must meet the category minimum. These windows say which house qualifies. They do not resolve the separate timing conflict above.
Three procedural points are published:
- The mm2h.gov.my portal has a "Verify FD Withdrawal" page.
- The MOTAC application guidelines booklet gives a client charter of 3 working days for a fixed deposit withdrawal.
- The Immigration Department page states that withdrawal is "on reimbursement basis" and that release "will be made based on the amount requested". It no longer accepts withdrawal applications by e-mail. Complete documents are processed within three working days. Incomplete documents are not processed.
Reimbursement basis means you pay the approved expense first. Keep the receipts.
Legacy ringgit withdrawal figures on the Immigration page
The Immigration Department MM2H page still carries a ringgit table from the earlier scheme. The ledger records these figures and marks them as a conflict with the 50% rule in the 2024 MOTAC documents.
| Item on the Immigration page | Age 50 and above | Below 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Partial withdrawal allowed from the second year | RM50,000 | RM150,000 |
| Balance to keep until termination | RM100,000 | RM150,000 |
These ringgit figures do not match the current US dollar amounts or the 50% cap. The current category pages and the 2024 conditions state the rule as a percentage only. Ask the One Stop Centre which rule applies to your approval. Do not plan a withdrawal on the ringgit table unless the One Stop Centre confirms it in writing.
Profit on the deposit
The MOTAC category insights document states: "NO TAX ON FOREIGN FUNDS/INCOME AND PROFIT ON FIXED DEPOSITS IN MALAYSIA". The guidelines page states: "Participants receive tax exemption on foreign funds or income, such as their fixed deposit (FD)." That is the programme's statement. Read the tax residency guide for how it sits against the LHDN residence test.
The rate of profit is set by the institution. MOTAC and mm2h.gov.my publish no rate. Compare written offers from more than one licensed institution before you place the deposit.
Termination
The MOTAC application guidelines booklet gives a client charter of 3 working days for MM2H termination "upon complete document submission". The Immigration Department page states the same 3 working days for termination of the pass. The Immigration page also states that the participant keeps the required balance until they terminate their participation in the programme.
Neither captured source lists the termination documents. The One Stop Centre sets the procedure. Ask it for the current document list, and ask the institution how it releases a lien once the One Stop Centre confirms termination.
Related MM2H guides
- MM2H Malaysia 2026: requirements, fees and how to apply
- MM2H fees 2026: every official cost in year one
- MM2H and tax residency: the 182-day rule
- MM2H application process 2026
Sources
- MM2H Silver, Gold, Platinum and SEZ/SFZ
- MM2H requirements and regulations
- MM2H verification page
- MOTAC programme page
- MOTAC guide to Malaysia My Second Home (PDF)
- MOTAC insights on the categories (PDF)
- MOTAC endorsement checklist (PDF)
- MOTAC application guidelines booklet (PDF)
- MOTAC programme announcement, 28 May 2025 (PDF)
- Immigration Department of Malaysia, MM2H
Figures captured on 16 October 2026.
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