Sabah-MM2H: The Complete Guide to Sabah’s Own Second Home Programme

Introduction

Most people researching long-term residency in Malaysia encounter a single programme — the national MM2H administered by MOTAC. What many do not realise is that as of 1 July 2024, Sabah operates its own entirely separate second-home programme: the Sabah Malaysia My Second Home, or Sabah-MM2H. Launched by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment in response to the state’s unique immigration status within Malaysia, this programme has its own tiers, its own deposit requirements, its own property rules, and — critically — its own restriction: Sabah-MM2H holders must reside in Sabah. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Sabah-MM2H programme from the ground up.

Table of Contents

• Why Sabah Has Its Own MM2H Programme
• Who Can Apply
• The Three Tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum
• Silver Tier: Requirements and Benefits
• Gold Tier: Requirements and Benefits
• Platinum Tier: Requirements and Benefits
• The Sabah-Only Restriction: What It Means in Practice
• Property Rules Under Sabah-MM2H
• Application Process
• What Happens to Existing National MM2H Holders in Sabah
• Similar Topics
• References

Why Sabah Has Its Own MM2H Programme

Sabah is one of Malaysia’s two Borneo states, and it has a constitutionally distinct immigration status. Unlike residents of peninsular Malaysia, those holding a Sabah immigration pass — including MM2H — are subject to Sabah’s own immigration controls. Entry between Sabah and peninsular Malaysia requires separate documentation, and Sabah has historically maintained different visa frameworks from the federal government in Kuala Lumpur. When MOTAC’s national MM2H was restructured in 2021 and again in 2023, Sabah’s state government decided to establish its own programme tailored to Sabah’s specific development goals and the practical constraints of the state’s immigration framework. The Sabah-MM2H launched formally on 30 June 2024.

The result is that Malaysia now has three distinct second-home programmes running simultaneously: the national MM2H (for peninsular Malaysia, applicable to KL, Penang, Johor, and other peninsula states), the Sarawak S-MM2H (for Sarawak), and the Sabah-MM2H (for Sabah). An applicant who wants to live in Kota Kinabalu must apply through the Sabah-MM2H, not the national programme. An applicant who wants to live in Kuching applies through S-MM2H. The national MM2H covers peninsular states only.

Who Can Apply

The Sabah-MM2H is open to individuals from countries that have diplomatic relations with Malaysia. The programme specifically excludes citizens of Israel, Nigeria and Bangladesh — a more explicit exclusion list than the national programme’s general security-vetting approach. Applicants must be at least 25 years of age for all three tiers. Dependants who may be included are the applicant’s spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and children below 21 years of age (or older if still full-time students without employment). Applications must be submitted through a licensed agent authorised by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment — not through MOTAC-licensed agents, who are authorised for the national programme.

The Three Tiers: Silver, Gold and Platinum

Sabah-MM2H has three tiers, mirroring the national programme’s naming convention but with notably different financial requirements. The most striking difference is in the Silver tier: Sabah-MM2H Silver requires a fixed deposit of RM 500,000 — significantly higher than the national programme’s Silver tier of USD 150,000 (approximately RM 700,000 at mid-2026 rates, though the national figure is in USD while Sabah’s is in ringgit). At first glance this makes Sabah-MM2H Silver appear cheaper than national Silver, but the currency denomination matters: Sabah’s RM 500,000 is at current exchange rates lower than the national USD 150,000. However, the Sabah Silver tier also comes with a lower income requirement than the national Silver, making it accessible to a different profile of applicant. The tiers are discussed individually below.

Silver Tier: Requirements and Benefits

The Sabah-MM2H Silver tier requires a fixed deposit of RM 500,000 placed in a Sabah-MM2H panel bank in Sabah. The income requirement is RM 10,000 per month for a single applicant and RM 15,000 per month for an applicant with dependants. The qualifying property must be a high-rise property in Sabah with a minimum purchase price of RM 600,000. The visa term is 5 years renewable (5+5 year structure). The minimum stay requirement is 30 cumulative days per year in Sabah — considerably lower than the national programme’s 90-day requirement for those under 50. The processing fee is RM 3,000 (non-refundable), with RM 1,500 for subsequent renewals. Working in Malaysia is not permitted under Silver tier — the relevant work pass must be applied for separately. Dependants can include maid/domestic helper under current practice.

The 50% fixed deposit withdrawal is permitted from year one of participation for approved purposes: purchasing a residence, education, and medical activities in Malaysia. This is more generous than the national programme’s withdrawal timeline. The change-of-principal provision allows the pass to transfer to the spouse upon the death of the principal, continuing until the end of the 10-year term.

Gold Tier: Requirements and Benefits

The Sabah-MM2H Gold tier requires a fixed deposit of USD 500,000 — equivalent to approximately RM 2.35 million at mid-2026 rates. The income requirement mirrors the national Gold tier structure. The qualifying property minimum is RM 1,000,000 for a high-rise property in Sabah. The visa term is 15 years renewable, and the minimum stay requirement is 30 cumulative days per year in Sabah. The processing fee is higher than Silver — contact the Sabah Tourism Board or a licensed Sabah-MM2H agent for current fee schedules, as Gold and Platinum fees are subject to periodic revision. Work rights are not included under Gold tier.

Platinum Tier: Requirements and Benefits

The Sabah-MM2H Platinum tier is the premium offering, requiring a fixed deposit of USD 1 million in a Sabah panel bank. The qualifying property must be any type of property in Sabah (not restricted to high-rise) with a minimum purchase price of RM 2,000,000. The visa term is 20 years renewable. The processing fee for Platinum is RM 200,000 — non-refundable — which is a substantial commitment and reflects the programme’s positioning as an ultra-high-net-worth tier. Platinum is the only Sabah-MM2H tier where work is permissible. The minimum stay requirement for Platinum is also 30 cumulative days per year in Sabah.

The Sabah-Only Restriction: What It Means in Practice

The most important distinguishing feature of Sabah-MM2H is the residence restriction: all Sabah-MM2H holders — at all tiers — must reside in Sabah. Travelling to peninsular Malaysia states requires approval from the Sabah Immigration Department. According to the official programme information, this approval process is designed to be simple and fast — described as a same-day approval. However, it means Sabah-MM2H is not suitable for those who want to split significant time between Sabah and Kuala Lumpur or other peninsula locations without administrative friction.

This restriction arises from Sabah’s constitutional immigration status — a Sabah-issued pass does not automatically grant right of travel within Malaysia in the same way a peninsular pass does. The practical effect is that Sabah-MM2H is designed for those who genuinely intend to make Sabah their second home, not as a vehicle for Malaysian residency with flexible geography. Applicants who want to live primarily in KL or Penang, or split time between multiple Malaysian cities, should apply for the national MM2H programme instead.

Property Rules Under Sabah-MM2H

All Sabah-MM2H tiers require the purchase of property in Sabah. For Silver and Gold tier, the property must be a high-rise unit (condominium or serviced apartment) at the respective minimum price. Platinum tier allows any type of property. The property may not be sold for 10 years from purchase. However, there is a provision allowing sale after 5 years if the holder simultaneously purchases a replacement property at a value equal to or higher than the minimum for their tier — this provides more flexibility than the national programme’s strict 10-year restriction with no early-exit provision. This feature is a meaningful advantage for those who want optionality within the Sabah property market.

Application Process

Applications for Sabah-MM2H must be submitted through an agent licensed by the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. MOTAC-licensed agents for the national programme are not automatically authorised for Sabah-MM2H — ensure your agent holds the Sabah-specific licence. The process follows a similar structure to the national programme: eligibility assessment, document preparation, formal application submission, Conditional Approval Letter (CAL) issuance, medical check-up after obtaining the CAL, placement of the fixed deposit, property purchase, and final endorsement. The timeline is broadly comparable to the national programme, though as a newer programme Sabah-MM2H’s processing infrastructure is still maturing and timelines may vary more than the national programme’s established pipeline.

What Happens to Existing National MM2H Holders in Sabah

For those who held the national MM2H before the Sabah-MM2H launch, the official position is that their existing MM2H pass is annotated “SABAH only” and they are required to reside in Sabah. Renewal of existing national MM2H passes held by Sabah-based participants will be approved based on the previous criteria applicable to their original pass — they are not automatically required to reapply under Sabah-MM2H terms, though they will be subject to Sabah’s residency restriction at renewal. If you are an existing national MM2H holder who currently lives in Sabah and your pass is due for renewal, seek advice from a licensed agent familiar with the transition provisions before proceeding.

Similar Topics

• Retiring in Kota Kinabalu on MM2H: Sabah’s Hidden Advantage for Retirees
• Sarawak S-MM2H vs Mainland MM2H: Key Differences in 2026
• MM2H Requirements 2026: The Complete Guide to All Four Tiers
• MM2H Silver vs Gold vs Platinum: Which Tier Should You Choose?
• MM2H Fixed Deposit Requirements by Tier
• MM2H Mandatory Property Purchase Explained

References

1. Sabah Tourism Board — Sabah-MM2H Official Programme. https://sabahmm2h.sabahtourism.com
2. Skrine Advocates & Solicitors — “Introducing the Sabah My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) Programme,” August 2024.
3. Lexology — “Introducing the Sabah My Second Home Programme,” August 2024.
4. Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah.
5. The Edge Malaysia — “Malaysia’s Second Home Dream Back on Track,” September 2025.
6. American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) — Sabah-MM2H Programme Briefing, August 2024.