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By Jason Lim, REN 84424 · IQI Realty · Checked on 13 November 2026
This guide is for high-income people from Singapore, Indonesia, India, China and elsewhere who are comparing Malaysia’s Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) with MM2H before buying a home in Johor Bahru. The short answer: PVIP is run by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, gives a pass of up to 20 years, and needs offshore and onshore income of RM40,000 a month, a RM1 million fixed deposit and a RM200,000 participation fee for the main applicant. Unlike MM2H, holders may work, invest and study, and there is no minimum stay. Applications go only through Immigration-authorised agencies. I am a property agent: I do not process visas, but I can point you to the official list and help with the home.
Quick answer
- Who runs it: the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM), under the Home Ministry. Launched on 1 September 2022.
- Pass: up to 20 years, issued as 5 + 5 + 5 + 5-year passes, with a multiple-entry visa. No age limit.
- Income and deposit: RM40,000 a month (RM480,000 a year) from onshore and offshore sources, or net worth of RM1 billion, plus a RM1 million fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank.
- Fees: RM200,000 participation fee for the principal, RM100,000 per dependant, and a RM2,000 pass fee a year. Participation fees are non-refundable.
- Rights: work, run lawful businesses, study, invest in approved fields and buy residential, commercial or industrial property. The minimum stay is waived.
- How to apply: only through an agency or consultant authorised by JIM; no direct applications.
What PVIP is
The Premium Visa Programme is a long-term residence pass for investors, entrepreneurs and foreign talent. The home minister launched it on 1 September 2022, when Immigration said 16 agencies and companies had been approved to handle applications (Malay Mail, October 2022). It sits under Immigration and the Home Ministry, while MM2H sits under the tourism ministry (MOTAC). Different ministries, rules and agents.
Everything in the tables below comes from the Immigration Department’s PVIP FAQ and its terms and conditions for new applicants, both on the Immigration online services portal and checked in November 2026. Neither document is dated, so confirm the current figures with an authorised agency before you apply.
Eligibility
| Requirement | What the official documents say |
|---|---|
| Income | RM40,000 a month or RM480,000 a year, onshore and offshore combined, shown in the latest three months’ bank statements. Net worth of at least RM1 billion is an alternative. |
| Fixed deposit | At least RM1,000,000 with a licensed bank in Malaysia. |
| Age | No age limit. |
| Passport | At least 24 months’ validity. |
| Health insurance | Valid cover in Malaysia, or global cover; a medical form before endorsement. |
| Income evidence | Salaried: three months’ payslips, an employer letter and salary statements. Business or investment income: a yearly bank statement, tax records and a bank confirmation letter. |
| Documents | Marriage and birth certificates for dependants, translated into English by the Institute of Language and Literature (DBP) or a Malaysian mission where needed. |
Using the fixed deposit. After six months from the first PVIP endorsement, up to 50% can be withdrawn, but only for real estate, medical or education costs, with a recommendation letter from Immigration. Buying a home in Malaysia is one of the allowed uses.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Participation fee, principal | RM200,000 | RM2,000 (1%) when the online application is submitted; the balance after approval. |
| Participation fee, each dependant | RM100,000 | A dependant can take a 10-year term instead of 20 for RM50,000. |
| Pass fee | RM2,000 a year | Per pass holder. |
| Visa fee | Varies by nationality | For example RM50 for Indian nationals; RM20 where a country is not listed. |
| Security bond | Varies by nationality | From RM200 (Singapore) to RM2,000 for some countries; RM1,500 where not listed. |
| Extension | Half the participation fee at current rates | Apply six months before the active pass expires; ask the agency how this applies to your term. |
For a couple with two children, participation fees alone come to RM500,000 (RM200,000 plus three dependants at RM100,000), before pass fees, the fixed deposit and agency charges. That is my calculation from the official rates.
Who can come as a dependant
- A spouse.
- Children under 25, including stepchildren and legally adopted children, and a child with a disability of any age with a medical letter. Children reaching 25 must pay the remaining fee or move to another pass.
- Parents and parents-in-law.
- A foreign domestic helper, under the usual rules for helpers.
How to apply, and what I can and cannot do
- Choose an authorised agency. Immigration publishes the list of authorised PVIP agencies on its online services portal; when I checked in November 2026 it listed 50. Applications cannot be sent directly to Immigration.
- Prepare documents. Passport, income proof, translated certificates, insurance and medical form.
- Online submission. The agency submits through the PVIP portal and the RM2,000 initial fee is paid.
- Approval, deposit and balance. After approval, the fixed deposit is placed and the balance of the participation fee paid. Dependants should be endorsed within six months of conditional approval.
- Endorsement. The pass is endorsed in the passport.
To be clear about my role: I am a registered real estate negotiator, not a visa agent. I do not process PVIP or MM2H applications and cannot promise approval, which Immigration decides. What I do is point you to the official list of authorised PVIP agencies, refer you to licensed parties if you ask, and help with the home side: areas, projects, the Johor rules for foreign buyers and the purchase. For MM2H, I coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent.
Weighing PVIP or MM2H with a home in JB?
Tell me your nationality, family size and the kind of home you want. I’ll explain the Johor buying rules, shortlist homes and point you to licensed parties for the visa side.
WhatsApp JasonPVIP vs MM2H at a glance
| PVIP | MM2H (Peninsular) | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Immigration Department (Home Ministry) | Tourism ministry (MOTAC); Immigration issues the pass |
| Who applies for you | A JIM-authorised PVIP agency | A MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent |
| Main money test | RM40,000 monthly income and a RM1 million fixed deposit | Fixed deposit by tier: USD150,000 (Silver), USD500,000 (Gold), USD1,000,000 (Platinum); SEZ/SFZ USD65,000, or USD32,000 at 50 and above |
| Pass length | Up to 20 years | 5 years (Silver), 15 (Gold), 20 (Platinum), 10 (SEZ/SFZ), renewable |
| Minimum age | None | 25 (Silver, Gold, Platinum); 21 (SEZ/SFZ) |
| Home purchase | Allowed, not required | Required after approval, with tier minimums from RM600,000 (Silver) to RM2 million (Platinum), and held for 10 years |
| Minimum stay | Waived | 90 days a year for participants under 50 |
| Work and business | Allowed | Not on the SEZ/SFZ tier; check rules for other tiers with the licensed agent |
In short, PVIP suits people who want to work or run a business in Malaysia, have high verifiable income and do not want a stay requirement; MM2H suits people who mainly want to live here, often retirees, with a lower entry cost on the Silver or SEZ/SFZ tiers. My MM2H 2026 guide and MM2H eligibility checker cover the MM2H side.
How many people use PVIP?
Take-up has been small. In a parliamentary reply reported by FMT in March 2024, the government said 47 people had joined since 2022, 23 principals and 24 dependants, with about RM7 million in fees collected, against a RM206 million target set in 2022. In 2023 the home minister had said the programme could be reviewed if it did not meet its goals. The official FAQ, terms and agency list were still on the Immigration portal when I checked in November 2026, and I found no official announcement of new terms; check with Immigration or an authorised agency for the latest position.
Buying a home in Johor on a PVIP pass
A PVIP pass lets you buy property, but it does not change Johor’s rules for foreign buyers:
- Price floor. Foreigners can generally buy Johor residential property only from RM1 million, with some exceptions (New Straits Times, April 2026). See my page on Johor’s foreigner minimum price.
- State consent. Transfers to foreigners need Johor state consent; see state consent in Johor.
- Stamp duty. From 2026, foreign individuals and companies buying residential property pay a flat 8%, up from 4% (The Star, December 2025). My stamp duty guide has the details.
- Financing and payments. Plan the fixed deposit, the purchase money and any loan together; see home loans for foreigners, opening a bank account and paying from abroad.
If your spouse is Malaysian or you hold Malaysian PR, other routes may fit better; see foreign spouses buying property and Malaysian PRs buying property. This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice.
Where to buy if this matters to you
- Iskandar Puteri: Medini, EduCity schools and the Second Link, with many homes above RM1 million.
- JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar: high-rises near the CIQ and the RTS Link station, for business travel to Singapore.
- Mount Austin: family area with schools and amenities.
- Danga Bay: waterfront condos close to the city.
- Permas Jaya and Senibong: east-side waterfront and landed options.
Compare them on my JB property map, and see how I support MM2H buyers.
More Johor living guides: Retiring in JB · Cost of living in JB · Best areas to live in JB · Hospitals and healthcare in JB
Frequently asked questions
What is the income requirement for Malaysia’s Premium Visa Programme?
RM40,000 a month, or RM480,000 a year, from onshore and offshore sources combined, according to the Immigration Department. Net worth of at least RM1 billion is an alternative. You also need a RM1 million fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank.
How much does PVIP cost?
The participation fee is RM200,000 for the principal and RM100,000 for each dependant, plus a pass fee of RM2,000 a year, a visa fee and a security bond that vary by nationality. Participation fees are non-refundable, and agency fees are extra.
Can I work in Malaysia on a PVIP pass?
Yes. The official FAQ says PVIP holders may work, carry out lawful business, study and invest in approved fields. This is one of the main differences from MM2H.
Is PVIP better than MM2H?
It depends on your goal. PVIP allows work and has no minimum stay but needs RM40,000 monthly income and a RM200,000 fee. MM2H has lower entry tiers and suits people who mainly want to live here, but requires a home purchase and, under 50, 90 days’ stay a year.
Can a PVIP holder buy property in Johor?
Yes, PVIP holders may buy residential, commercial or industrial property. Johor’s rules for foreigners still apply, including a general RM1 million minimum for homes, state consent and 8% stamp duty on residential purchases by foreigners from 2026.
Can Jason apply for PVIP for me?
No. PVIP applications go only through agencies authorised by the Immigration Department. Jason does not process visas; he can point you to the official agency list, refer you to licensed parties on request and help with buying a home. For MM2H he coordinates with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent.
Planning a long stay and a home in JB?
Tell me which pass you are considering, who is moving with you and what kind of home you want. I will explain the Johor rules for foreign buyers, shortlist homes that fit and refer you to licensed parties for the visa side if you ask. You can also book an appointment, or a Zoom consultation if you are still abroad.
Sources: Immigration Department of Malaysia, General Frequently Asked Questions, Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP), checked November 2026; Immigration Department of Malaysia, PVIP terms and conditions for new applicants, checked November 2026; Immigration Department of Malaysia, list of authorised PVIP application agencies, checked November 2026; Malay Mail, “Govt eyes collecting RM206m from Premium Visa Programme”, 12 October 2022; FMT, “Premium visa programme attracts just 47 people”, 29 March 2024; MM2H official site, requirements and regulations (page last updated 10 February 2026), checked November 2026; MM2H official site, category overview (Silver, Gold, Platinum), checked November 2026; MOTAC, Terms and Regulations under the SEZ/SFZ category, January 2026; New Straits Times, “Foreigners hit Johor property resale wall”, 20 April 2026; The Star, “The Malaysian tax landscape in 2026”, 23 December 2025
Jason Lim, REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6. General information checked on 13 November 2026, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Jason does not process visa applications. PVIP and MM2H terms change; confirm with the Immigration Department, MOTAC, an authorised PVIP agency or a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent before you apply.