Malaysia Visa Finder: Which Long-Stay Pass Fits You?
Tell us why you want to live in Malaysia and a few numbers, and we will show the passes that fit you, best first.
Malaysian long-stay passes compared
| Pass | Who it is for | Key requirement | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass I / II / III | Job with a Malaysian employer | Basic salary RM20,000 / 10,000 / 5,000 a month | Up to 10 / 10 / 5 years |
| Professional Visit Pass | Short assignment for a foreign employer | Malaysian sponsor company | Up to 12 months |
| Residence Pass-Talent | Experienced expats already in Malaysia | RM15,000 a month, 3 years on an EP | Up to 10 years |
| DE Rantau | Remote workers and freelancers | USD 24,000 a year (tech) or 60,000 (other) | Up to 24 months |
| MM2H | Retirees and long stays | Fixed deposit from USD 150,000 plus a home | 5 to 20 years |
| Sarawak MM2H | Long stays in Sarawak | Age 30+, RM500,000 deposit | 5 + 5 years |
| Spouse pass (LTSVP) | Spouses of Malaysians | Marriage registered in Malaysia | 6 months to 5 years |
| PVIP | High earners who want to work and invest | RM40,000 a month offshore income, RM1,000,000 deposit | Up to 20 years |
Only visiting? See the visa-free days calculator. Rules change often, so confirm with the agency named for each pass before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to live in Malaysia long term?
It depends on what you will do there. Remote workers with foreign clients usually look at the DE Rantau nomad pass, retirees and people with savings at MM2H, people with a Malaysian job offer at the Employment Pass, and spouses of Malaysians at the spouse pass.
How much salary do I need for a Malaysian Employment Pass?
From 1 June 2026, a basic salary of at least RM5,000 a month (RM7,000 in manufacturing) for Category III, RM10,000 for Category II and RM20,000 for Category I. Allowances do not count. Your employer applies for the pass.
Can I work in Malaysia on MM2H?
MM2H is a long-stay pass, not a work pass. If you want to live in Malaysia and work for a Malaysian company, you need an Employment Pass. The Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) is the long-stay pass that allows work and investment.
What is the Residence Pass-Talent?
A long-term pass for experienced expats already working in Malaysia: usually a basic salary of RM15,000 a month, 3 years on an Employment Pass and 5 years of experience. It lasts up to 10 years and lets you change employers without a new pass.
Is the Sarawak MM2H different from MM2H?
Yes. Sarawak runs its own scheme. Under the 2025 rules you must be at least 30 and place a fixed deposit of RM500,000, and you get a pass for 5 + 5 years. Older official pages show different figures, so confirm with Sarawak Tourism before you apply.
Sources
- MDEC - Additional information on the revised EP framework (official)
- Link Compliance - New EP rules w.e.f. 1 June 2026 (cites ESD 15 Jan 2026 announcement) (independent guide)
- Conventus Law - succession plan deferred to 1 Jan 2027; ESD to MES (Jul 2026) (independent guide)
- Conventus Law - EP/PVP/DP/RP-T overview (Aug 2025) (independent guide)
- Invest Sarawak - New S-MM2H requirements 2025 (official)
- Sarawak Tourism S-MM2H FAQ (official)
- Immigration - Long Term Social Visit Pass (official)
- Immigration - Student Pass (official)
- Malaysia4U - RP-T guide (independent guide)
- Emerhub - PVIP (independent guide)
- HR Online - PVIP FAQs (Nov 2022) (independent guide)
Rules last checked: Wed, 14 October 2026. Rules change; if something looks out of date, trust the official source (Immigration Department, MM2H Centre or LHDN) over this page.