Sabah-MM2H Silver, Gold and Platinum: Full Tier Comparison

June 20, 2026

Introduction

The Sabah-MM2H programme has three tiers — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — each designed for a different financial profile and lifestyle intention. While the tier names mirror the national MM2H programme, the requirements, fees, visa terms, and restrictions differ in important ways that affect which tier makes sense for a given applicant. This guide sets out the Sabah-MM2H tiers side by side, explains the key differences, and helps you identify which tier is the right starting point for your application.

Programme Overview: Who Administers It
Silver Tier: Full Requirements
Gold Tier: Full Requirements
Platinum Tier: Full Requirements
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Key Differences from National MM2H Tiers
Property Rules Across All Three Tiers
The Sabah Residence Restriction
Which Tier Is Right for You?
Finding a Licensed Sabah-MM2H Agent
Similar Topics
References

Programme Overview: Who Administers It

The Sabah-MM2H is administered by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment — not by the federal MOTAC that administers the national programme. Applications must be submitted through agents licensed by the Sabah ministry. The programme launched on 30 June 2024 and began accepting applications on 1 July 2024. It is open to citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Malaysia, with the exception of Israel, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. All applicants must be at least 25 years of age. The programme uses a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) structure for all tiers, and all passes are renewable.

Silver Tier: Full Requirements

The Silver tier is the entry-level category and the most accessible tier of the Sabah-MM2H. The fixed deposit requirement is RM 500,000, placed in a Sabah-MM2H panel bank in Sabah. This is denominated in Malaysian ringgit — unlike the national programme’s USD-denominated Silver deposit of USD 150,000. At mid-2026 exchange rates, the national Silver deposit equates to approximately RM 700,000+, making Sabah’s RM 500,000 moderately lower in absolute terms. The monthly offshore income requirement is RM 10,000 for a single applicant and RM 15,000 for an applicant with dependants. The qualifying property must be a high-rise residential property (condominium or serviced apartment) in Sabah, with a minimum purchase price of RM 600,000. The visa term is 5+5 years (a 5-year initial grant with a built-in 5-year renewal structure). The minimum annual stay in Sabah is 30 cumulative days — for all age groups. The processing fee is RM 3,000 (non-refundable), with RM 1,500 for subsequent renewals. Work is not permitted under Silver tier; a separate work permit is required. A 50% withdrawal of the fixed deposit is permitted from year one of participation for approved purposes: property purchase, education, and medical activities in Malaysia.

Gold Tier: Full Requirements

The Gold tier is the mid-level category, targeting higher-net-worth applicants who want a longer visa term and greater asset commitment in Sabah. The fixed deposit requirement is USD 500,000, placed in a Sabah-MM2H panel bank in Sabah. The qualifying property must be a high-rise residential property in Sabah with a minimum purchase price of RM 1,000,000. The visa term for Gold tier is 15 years, renewable. The minimum annual stay is 30 cumulative days per year in Sabah — the same 30-day minimum as Silver, regardless of age. Work is not permitted under Gold tier without a separate work permit. The processing fee structure for Gold tier should be confirmed with a licensed Sabah-MM2H agent, as the application fee for Gold is higher than Silver’s RM 3,000 and subject to the programme’s current fee schedule. The 50% fixed deposit withdrawal is available from year one for approved purposes, as with Silver tier. All other conditions (medical insurance, medical check-up, dependants, property sale restriction) follow the same framework as Silver.

Platinum Tier: Full Requirements

The Platinum tier is the premium category, designed for ultra-high-net-worth applicants who want the maximum visa term, work rights, and premium property access in Sabah. The fixed deposit requirement is USD 1,000,000, placed in a Sabah-MM2H panel bank in Sabah. Unlike Silver and Gold tiers, Platinum does not restrict the property type to high-rise — any residential property in Sabah qualifies, including landed property such as a house or bungalow. The minimum purchase price is RM 2,000,000. The visa term is 20 years, renewable. The minimum annual stay is 30 cumulative days per year in Sabah. Work is permitted under Platinum tier without a separate work permit — this is the only Sabah-MM2H tier that includes work rights. The processing fee for Platinum is RM 200,000 (non-refundable) — a substantial non-refundable commitment that reflects the tier’s premium positioning. The 50% fixed deposit withdrawal is available from year one for approved purposes. In the event of the principal’s death, the Platinum pass transfers to the spouse for the remainder of the 10-year term.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Fixed Deposit: Silver RM 500,000 | Gold USD 500,000 | Platinum USD 1,000,000. Property Minimum: Silver RM 600,000 (high-rise) | Gold RM 1,000,000 (high-rise) | Platinum RM 2,000,000 (any type). Income Requirement: Silver RM 10,000/month (individual), RM 15,000 (with dependants) | Gold — confirm with agent | Platinum — confirm with agent. Visa Term: Silver 5+5 years | Gold 15 years | Platinum 20 years. Minimum Stay: All tiers 30 cumulative days/year in Sabah. Work Rights: Silver No | Gold No | Platinum Yes. Processing Fee: Silver RM 3,000 | Gold — confirm with agent | Platinum RM 200,000. Renewal Fee: All tiers RM 1,500. FD Withdrawal: All tiers — 50% from year 1 for approved purposes.

Key Differences from National MM2H Tiers

Four differences stand out when comparing Sabah-MM2H tiers with their national MM2H equivalents. First, the minimum stay: Sabah-MM2H requires only 30 cumulative days per year for all ages and all tiers, versus the national programme’s 90 days for those under 50. Second, the dependent child age limit: Sabah-MM2H restricts dependent children to under 21 (or full-time students without employment), while the national programme extends dependent child eligibility to under 35 for unmarried children. Third, the property restriction: Sabah-MM2H Silver and Gold require high-rise property specifically, while national Silver and Gold permit any residential property type. Fourth, the Sabah residency restriction: Sabah-MM2H holders must reside in Sabah and require travel approval to visit peninsular Malaysia, while national MM2H holders can travel freely across Malaysia.

Property Rules Across All Three Tiers

All three Sabah-MM2H tiers require the purchase of property in Sabah after obtaining conditional approval. The property cannot be sold for 10 years. However, Sabah-MM2H provides an early-exit option that the national programme does not: property can be sold after 5 years if the holder simultaneously purchases a replacement property in Sabah at a value equal to or higher than the tier’s minimum price. This provision gives Sabah-MM2H holders meaningful flexibility if their property needs change during the 10-year period — they can upgrade, downsize (to another high-rise meeting the minimum), or relocate within Sabah without waiting for the full 10-year restriction to expire. The 50% fixed deposit withdrawal is available from year one to fund the property purchase — meaning after conditional approval, you can use half your deposit toward the property acquisition, reducing the amount of additional capital required at that stage.

The Sabah Residence Restriction

All Sabah-MM2H passes are annotated “SABAH only.” This means holders are required to reside in Sabah — it is the only state where they have automatic right of residence under the Sabah-MM2H pass. Travelling to peninsular Malaysia requires approval from the Sabah Immigration Department. The official programme documentation describes this as a simple, quick process — typically same-day approval. In practice, this adds an administrative step that does not exist for national MM2H holders. It does not prevent travel to peninsular Malaysia — it requires prior authorisation. Holders who will make frequent short trips to KL or Penang should factor this into their travel routine. The restriction exists because of Sabah’s constitutionally distinct immigration status within Malaysia, not because of programme-specific restrictions on movement.

Which Tier Is Right for You?

Silver suits applicants who want to live in Kota Kinabalu or Sabah, can meet the RM 10,000–15,000 per month offshore income requirement, and want the lowest-cost entry into the programme with a manageable RM 600,000 property purchase in the high-rise market. It is the right tier for most first-time Sabah-MM2H applicants who are not specifically seeking work rights or premium property access. Gold suits applicants with substantially greater financial resources who want the 15-year visa term and are comfortable placing USD 500,000 in fixed deposit — a level equivalent to the national Gold deposit — and purchasing a RM 1 million high-rise property in Sabah. Platinum suits ultra-high-net-worth applicants who want the 20-year visa term, work rights, premium landed property access in Sabah, and are in a position to place USD 1 million in fixed deposit and purchase a RM 2 million property. The RM 200,000 non-refundable processing fee makes Platinum a substantial commitment that suits only those with a clear long-term intention to base themselves in Sabah at the highest standard.

Finding a Licensed Sabah-MM2H Agent

A critical practical point: the agent you use must be licensed by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for the Sabah-MM2H programme specifically. MOTAC-licensed agents for the national programme are not automatically authorised to submit Sabah-MM2H applications. The Sabah Tourism Board and the Sabah Ministry maintain lists of licensed agents. Verify your agent’s Sabah-specific licence before engaging them and before paying any fees. An application submitted by an unlicensed agent will be rejected, and fees paid to an unlicensed agent may not be recoverable. The Sabah-MM2H agent ecosystem is newer and smaller than the national MM2H agent network — take particular care with verification.

Important Notice

MM2H requirements and immigration policies may change.

Always verify the latest information with relevant Malaysian government authorities or authorised programme operators before making any financial or relocation decisions.

References

Sabah Tourism Board — Sabah-MM2H Silver Tier Terms. https://sabahmm2h.sabahtourism.com/copy-of-silver-1
Sabah Tourism Board — Sabah-MM2H Gold Tier Terms. https://sabahmm2h.sabahtourism.com/copy-of-silver
Sabah Tourism Board — Sabah-MM2H Platinum Tier Terms. https://sabahmm2h.sabahtourism.com/copy-of-gold
Skrine Advocates & Solicitors — Sabah-MM2H Programme Introduction, August 2024.
AMCHAM Malaysia — Three Separate MM2H Programmes Briefing, August 2024.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) — National MM2H for comparison. https://www.mm2h.gov.my