Sarawak S-MM2H and Sabah MM2H are state programmes with their own ministries. Sarawak and Sabah Silver use ringgit deposits. Sabah Gold and Platinum use USD deposits. Each programme publishes its own financial test and a 30-day stay rule. The Sarawak pass is a Sarawak state pass issued for Sarawak. The Sabah pass restricts residence to Sabah.
The two programmes share the MM2H name with the federal programme but not its figures. This guide takes the Sarawak figures from the S-MM2H application guide (amended 31 July 2025) and the ministry pages, and the Sabah figures from the Sabah MM2H category pages (last updated 8 September 2026). All figures were captured on 16 October 2026.
What a state programme is
The federal MM2H programme is run by MOTAC through its One Stop Centre in Putrajaya, with the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs for the final approval. The federal figures are a USD fixed deposit, a residence purchase at a category minimum and a 90-day stay for participants below 50.
A state programme is run by a state ministry. Sarawak S-MM2H sits with the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP). Sabah MM2H sits with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS). The Sarawak pass is an S-MM2H social visit pass issued for Sarawak. The Sabah pass restricts residence to Sabah. The federal deposit, fee and residence figures do not apply.
Sarawak S-MM2H
Sarawak S-MM2H is open to citizens of all countries with diplomatic relations with Malaysia, except Israel and North Korea. The minimum age is 30. Applicants submit documents to MTCP through the SMM2H Management Online Application System (MOAS).
| S-MM2H condition | Figure in the application guide |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 30 |
| Fixed deposit | RM500,000 (main applicant) in an S-MM2H panel bank in Sarawak |
| Financial proof (one of three) | Pension of RM10,000 a month (individual) or RM15,000 (with a dependant); or offshore income of RM10,000 a month (individual) or RM15,000 (with a dependant); or, for an applicant with no offshore income or pension, savings shown by certified bank statements for the latest three months, with a closing balance of RM100,000 (individual) or RM200,000 (with a dependant), subject to panel approval |
| Minimum FD balance | RM250,000 in the S-MM2H fixed deposit account at a panel bank |
| Minimum stay | 30 days a year in Sarawak |
| Processing fee | RM5,000, one-time, non-refundable |
| Pass term | 5 plus 5 years; the extension covers years 6 to 10; after 10 years, a new application |
| Property purchase | Optional; at least RM600,000 in Kuching Division or RM500,000 in other divisions |
| FD withdrawal | Up to 50% after one year, for a house, a car, medical expenses or the education of children, each in Sarawak |
The RM500,000 fixed deposit is mandatory. The applicant also shows one of the three proofs. The savings option is open only to an applicant with no offshore income or pension. It needs certified bank statements for the latest three months, the amounts are closing balances, and it is subject to panel approval.
Work and business. S-MM2H participants are not eligible for full-time work. They may work part time in professional jobs in sectors approved by ILMU through MTCP, up to 20 hours a week. The named sectors are education, banking and securities, manufacturing and medical. A participant may also be a minority partner in a joint venture with a local partner in an approved sector, with up to 49% of a paid-up capital of at least RM250,000.
Sponsor and agent. The applicant must be bonded by a sponsor who lives in Sarawak, or by an S-MM2H licensed agent registered in Sarawak. Since 16 May 2025, a personal sponsor is limited to immediate family: a spouse, parents or step-parents, children or siblings.
Insurance and documents. Applicants below 60 must hold local medical insurance for the duration of the S-MM2H pass. All copies must be certified by an embassy, a high commission, a lawyer, a notary public or a commissioner for oaths. A document that is not in English must be translated by a qualified translator, and the translator's certification or licence goes in with the application.
Sabah MM2H
Sabah MM2H is open to individuals from countries with diplomatic relations with Malaysia, except Israel, Nigeria and Bangladesh. The minimum age is 25. All applications must be submitted by a licensed Sabah-MM2H agent.
| Sabah MM2H condition | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed deposit in a Sabah-MM2H panel bank | RM500,000 | USD 500,000 | USD 1,000,000 |
| Proof of monthly income | RM10,000 (single) or RM15,000 (with dependants) | Not stated on the Gold page | Not stated on the Platinum page |
| Processing fee (non-refundable) | RM3,000 | RM3,000 | RM200,000 |
| Pass term (multiple entry visa) | 5 plus 5 years | 15 years | 20 years |
| Minimum residence in Sabah | RM600,000, high-rise property | RM1,000,000 | RM2,000,000 |
| Career opportunities | Not allowed | Not allowed | Permissible |
The rules below apply to all three Sabah MM2H categories:
- Stay. A minimum cumulative stay of 30 days a year in Sabah.
- Renewal. RM1,500 for each subsequent renewal.
- FD withdrawal. Up to 50% of the principal FD after 1 year of participation, for a residence purchase, education or medical activities in Malaysia.
- No sale. The property cannot be sold for 10 years. A sale after 5 years is allowed with a new purchase at the category minimum or higher.
- Residence. A Sabah MM2H participant can only reside in Sabah. Travel to the Peninsular states needs approval from Immigration.
- Dependants. Spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and children below 21 or full-time students without employment.
- Medical insurance. Required.
The Sabah-MM2H one stop centre is at Unit No. A-5-10, Block A, Level 5, Lot 10, Lorong Lebuh Sutera, Sutera Avenue, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, telephone 088-258 522.
How the state passes differ from federal MM2H
| Condition | Federal MM2H | Sarawak S-MM2H | Sabah MM2H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 25 (21 for SEZ/SFZ) | 30 | 25 |
| Deposit | USD 150,000 Silver, USD 500,000 Gold, USD 1,000,000 Platinum, USD 65,000 or USD 32,000 SEZ/SFZ | RM500,000 in a Sarawak panel bank | RM500,000 Silver, USD 500,000 Gold, USD 1,000,000 Platinum, in a Sabah panel bank |
| Income test | None on the official pages; the offshore income condition is dropped | Pension, offshore income or savings test (Sarawak figures above) | Monthly income RM10,000 or RM15,000 for Sabah Silver |
| Stay | 90 days a year below age 50; none at 50 and above | 30 days a year in Sarawak | 30 days a year in Sabah |
| Pass term | 5, 15, 20 or 10 years by category | 5 plus 5 years, then a new application | 5 plus 5, 15 or 20 years by category |
| Property rule | Compulsory purchase at RM600,000, RM1,000,000 or RM2,000,000, or Forest City for SEZ/SFZ | Optional, at RM600,000 Kuching or RM500,000 elsewhere in Sarawak | Compulsory at RM600,000, RM1,000,000 or RM2,000,000 in Sabah |
| Where you may live | Malaysia | A Sarawak state pass issued for Sarawak | Sabah only; Peninsular travel needs Immigration approval |
The income test is the clearest split. No official federal page publishes a monthly income test, and the MOTAC conditions of 14 June 2024 state that the offshore income condition is dropped for all categories. Both state programmes publish one.
Which to choose
The decision points come from the conditions, not from a company:
- Where you plan to live. A Sabah MM2H pass confines residence to Sabah. An S-MM2H pass is a Sarawak state pass issued for Sarawak. A federal pass covers Malaysia.
- Your age. Sarawak starts at 30. Sabah and the federal Silver, Gold and Platinum categories start at 25. Federal SEZ/SFZ starts at 21.
- Your deposit currency and size. Sarawak asks for RM500,000 plus a financial proof. Sabah Silver asks for RM500,000 plus a monthly income. Federal Silver asks for USD 150,000. No official federal page publishes a monthly income test, and the 2024 MOTAC conditions drop the offshore income condition.
- Whether you want to buy a property. Sarawak makes the purchase optional. Sabah and the federal programme make it compulsory.
- How many days you can stay. Sarawak and Sabah ask for 30 days a year. The federal programme asks for 90 days a year below age 50.
- Whether you want to work. Sarawak allows part-time professional work up to 20 hours a week. Only Sabah Platinum and federal Platinum list a career as permissible.
The licensed agents guide covers the sponsor and agent rules for each programme.
Related MM2H guides
- MM2H Malaysia 2026: requirements, fees and how to apply
- MM2H licensed agents: how to check the MOTAC list
- Is MM2H worth it in 2026?
- MM2H renewal, 90-day stay, work and business rules
Sources
- Sarawak S-MM2H application guide, amended 31 July 2025 (MTCP PDF)
- Sarawak S-MM2H application requirements (MTCP)
- Sarawak S-MM2H licensing requirements (MTCP)
- Sabah MM2H Silver, Gold and Platinum category pages
- Sabah MM2H applicant page
- MM2H category overview (mm2h.gov.my)
- MM2H requirements and regulations (mm2h.gov.my)
- MOTAC new eligibility conditions, 14 June 2024 (PDF)
Figures captured on 16 October 2026.
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