Sabah-MM2H vs National MM2H: Which Programme Is Right for You?

June 20, 2026

Introduction

Since mid-2024, applicants wanting long-term residency in Malaysia face a choice that did not previously exist: the national MM2H (covering peninsular Malaysia) or the Sabah-MM2H (covering Sabah only). Both carry the “Malaysia My Second Home” branding but are administered by different government bodies, have different financial requirements, different property rules, and — critically — different geographic restrictions. Choosing the wrong programme is an expensive mistake. This comparison article sets the two side by side so you can make an informed decision based on your actual plans and priorities.

Administration: Two Different Government Bodies
The Geography Question: Where Do You Want to Live?
Fixed Deposit Comparison: Tier by Tier
Property Requirements Compared
Minimum Stay Requirements
Visa Terms and Duration
Work Rights
Application Fees
Dependants
Travelling Between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia
Who Each Programme Suits
Similar Topics
References

Administration: Two Different Government Bodies

The national MM2H is administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) at the federal level. Licensed agents are approved by MOTAC. The Sabah-MM2H is administered by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. Licensed agents for Sabah-MM2H are approved by this state ministry — MOTAC licences do not extend to Sabah-MM2H applications. This means you must ensure your agent holds the correct licence for the programme you are applying to. An agent licensed only by MOTAC cannot process a Sabah-MM2H application, and vice versa.

The Geography Question: Where Do You Want to Live?

This is the single most important question. The national MM2H allows you to live anywhere in peninsular Malaysia — Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Ipoh, or anywhere on the peninsula. The Sabah-MM2H restricts residence to Sabah. Travelling from Sabah to peninsular states requires approval from the Sabah Immigration Department (described as a simple and fast process, typically same-day). If your intention is to live in Kota Kinabalu specifically, the Sabah-MM2H is the correct programme. If your intention is to live primarily in KL or Penang, the national programme is the only option. If you want flexibility to live across multiple Malaysian locations, the national programme is significantly more practical.

Fixed Deposit Comparison: Tier by Tier

At the Silver level, national MM2H requires USD 150,000 (approximately RM 700,000+ at mid-2026 rates) while Sabah-MM2H Silver requires RM 500,000 — making Sabah Silver moderately cheaper in ringgit terms. At the Gold level, both programmes require USD 500,000. At the Platinum level, both require USD 1,000,000. The Silver tier difference is the most notable: for applicants who specifically want to live in Sabah and meet the income requirements, Sabah-MM2H Silver’s lower ringgit deposit is a tangible advantage. However, the income requirement for Sabah-MM2H Silver (RM 10,000/month individual, RM 15,000/month with dependants) should be checked carefully — this is an offshore income requirement and must come from sources outside Malaysia.

Property Requirements Compared

Both programmes require the purchase of property. The national MM2H allows property anywhere in the qualifying state (not just high-rise). Sabah-MM2H Silver and Gold tiers restrict the purchase to high-rise property (condominium or serviced apartment) in Sabah. Sabah-MM2H Platinum allows any property type in Sabah. The minimum prices differ: Sabah-MM2H Silver requires RM 600,000 (same as national Silver); Sabah-MM2H Gold requires RM 1,000,000 (same as national Gold); Sabah-MM2H Platinum requires RM 2,000,000 (same as national Platinum). The key Sabah-MM2H advantage is the early-exit provision: property can be sold after 5 years (rather than 10) if a replacement property of equivalent or higher value is purchased simultaneously. The national programme has no equivalent early-exit option within the 10-year restriction.

Minimum Stay Requirements

This is where Sabah-MM2H has a significant advantage over the national programme. Sabah-MM2H requires only 30 cumulative days per year in Sabah — for all tiers and all age groups. The national MM2H requires 90 cumulative days per year in Malaysia for those under 50 (no requirement for those 50 and above). For applicants under 50 who want more flexibility in their annual calendar, Sabah-MM2H’s 30-day minimum is considerably less demanding than the national programme’s 90-day requirement.

Visa Terms and Duration

National MM2H Silver: 5 years. Sabah-MM2H Silver: 5+5 years (10 years total with renewal built in). National MM2H Gold: 15 years. Sabah-MM2H Gold: to be confirmed with the Sabah Tourism Board — the Gold tier’s visa term is not as prominently published as Silver. National MM2H Platinum: 20 years. Sabah-MM2H Platinum: 20 years. The 5+5 year structure for Sabah Silver (where the renewal is structured as part of the initial grant rather than requiring a full new application) is a procedural advantage worth clarifying with your agent.

Work Rights

Both programmes allow work only at the Platinum tier — Silver and Gold holders on both programmes are not permitted to work in Malaysia without obtaining a separate work permit or employment pass. This parity means work rights are not a differentiating factor between the two programmes for most applicants.

Application Fees

The national MM2H application fee (agent fee set by government) is RM 40,000 for Silver, with Gold and Platinum fees at higher fixed rates. Sabah-MM2H Silver processing fee is RM 3,000 — dramatically lower than the national programme. Sabah-MM2H Platinum is RM 200,000 — comparable to national Platinum. This makes Sabah-MM2H Silver substantially cheaper in application fees than national Silver, which is a meaningful advantage for cost-sensitive applicants committed to living in Sabah.

Dependants

Both programmes allow the same categories of dependants: spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and children. Sabah-MM2H specifies that children must be below 21 years old or be full-time students without employment. The national programme extends dependent child eligibility to under 35 for unmarried children — a meaningful difference for applicants with adult children they wish to include. Applicants with children aged 21–34 who want to include them as dependants should apply through the national MM2H, not Sabah-MM2H.

Travelling Between Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia

Sabah-MM2H holders who wish to travel to peninsular Malaysia must obtain travel approval from Sabah Immigration. The official position is that this is a simple application with same-day approval. In practice, this adds an administrative step that national MM2H holders do not face — national MM2H holders can travel freely within Malaysia. For people who visit peninsular Malaysia only occasionally, this friction is minor. For those who travel regularly between Sabah and the peninsula — for business, medical treatment, or family — it adds a recurring administrative task that should be factored into the lifestyle decision.

Who Each Programme Suits

The national MM2H suits applicants who want to live in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, or anywhere in peninsular Malaysia; those who want to travel freely across Malaysia; those with adult dependent children aged 21–34; and those who want the most established programme with the most developed support infrastructure. The Sabah-MM2H suits applicants who specifically want to live in Kota Kinabalu or elsewhere in Sabah; those under 50 who want a lower minimum stay requirement (30 days vs 90 days); those at the Silver tier who want lower application fees; and those who want the option to sell and replace property after 5 years rather than being locked in for 10. The choice should follow your genuine lifestyle intention — it is not primarily a financial optimisation exercise.

References

Sabah Tourism Board — Sabah-MM2H Official Programme. https://sabahmm2h.sabahtourism.com
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) — National MM2H. https://www.mm2h.gov.my
Skrine Advocates & Solicitors — Sabah-MM2H Programme Introduction, August 2024.
The Edge Malaysia — Malaysia’s Second Home Update, September 2025.
AMCHAM Malaysia — Three Separate MM2H Programmes Briefing, August 2024.