← All Johor projects · Buyer guide for Vietnam · Updated October 2026
Vietnamese buyers look at Johor Bahru for freehold ownership, education and a base next to Singapore. This page sets out Malaysia’s rules for foreign buyers, what to check on the Vietnam side, a cost example and the steps.
Malaysia’s rules for foreign buyers in Johor
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Minimum price | Generally RM1 million or more per property in Johor, for both apartments and landed homes. |
| State consent | Johor state approval is needed for every foreign purchase. Your lawyer applies for consent. Since 1 July 2025 Johor’s consent levy for foreign buyers is 3% of the price or RM30,000, whichever is higher (PTG Johor Circular 1/2025), plus application fees. |
| Not open to foreigners | Bumiputera lots, low-cost and affordable units, Malay Reserve land, and single or one-and-a-half-storey terraces. |
| Stamp duty on transfer | 8% of the price for foreign buyers of homes from 1 January 2026. |
| Selling later (RPGT) | 30% of the gain within five years; 10% from the sixth year. |
| Source of funds | Malaysian lawyers and banks must check where the purchase money comes from, so keep clear bank records of every transfer. |
| Residence | Owning property does not give you the right to live in Malaysia. Long-stay programmes such as MM2H are separate applications. |
What to check on the Vietnam side
- Transfers abroad are restricted. Vietnamese law allows individuals to send money abroad only for specific purposes, so buying property abroad usually cannot be paid straight from a Vietnamese account.
- Lawful funding. Buyers typically use money already held lawfully outside Vietnam, for example savings from work or business abroad.
- Professional advice. Confirm with your bank and a Vietnamese lawyer before committing, and keep records of where the funds came from.
Jason works with your Malaysian lawyer on the purchase; please confirm the rules in your own country with your bank and tax adviser before you pay.
What it costs: a worked example
| Item | RM1,000,000 unit | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | RM100,000 or more | 10% at the SPA; more if you pay without a Malaysian loan |
| Stamp duty on the transfer | RM80,000 | 8% for foreign home buyers from 2026 |
| Lawyer’s fee, SPA and transfer | About RM11,250 plus SST | 1.25% of the first RM500,000 and 1% of the next RM500,000 |
| State consent fee | Quoted by your lawyer | Varies by district and price |
| Disbursements | About RM2,000 to RM4,000 | Searches, registration, consent application and copying |
Buying remotely: the steps
- Shortlist on a video call. Jason walks you through projects above RM1 million that foreigners can buy, with the fact sheet for each.
- Visit if you can. Vietnamese passport holders can visit Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days. Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card at least three days before you travel.
- Book the unit. Pay the booking fee and sign the booking form. Keep the receipt for your bank.
- Sign the SPA. The SPA can be signed in Malaysia or, if your lawyer arranges it, signed and attested abroad.
- Transfer the funds. Pay from an account in your own name to the lawyer’s or developer’s account, with the SPA as the supporting document.
- State consent and completion. Your lawyer obtains Johor state consent, then completes the purchase and the transfer.
- Keys and rental. Jason can arrange handover, defect checks and a tenant if you plan to rent the unit out.
Buying in Johor from Vietnam: quick answers
Can Vietnamese citizens buy property in Johor Bahru?
Yes. Foreign buyers, including Vietnamese citizens, can buy property in Johor priced at RM1 million or more, with state consent and 8% stamp duty on the transfer of a home.
Can I send money from Vietnam to buy property in Malaysia?
Vietnam restricts personal transfers abroad to specific purposes, so most Vietnamese buyers use money already held lawfully outside Vietnam. Check with your bank and lawyer first.
Người Việt Nam có thể mua bất động sản ở Johor Bahru không?
Có. Người nước ngoài có thể mua bất động sản tại bang Johor với giá từ 1 triệu ringgit trở lên khi được chính quyền bang chấp thuận; thuế tem (stamp duty) khi chuyển nhượng dành cho người nước ngoài là 8% từ năm 2026. Hãy nhắn WhatsApp cho Jason để nhận danh sách dự án và bảng chi phí đầy đủ.
Also read: projects for foreign buyers · larger units in the RM500k to RM1 million band · buying a subsale property
Useful tools: buying costs calculator · can a foreigner buy it? · projects for foreign buyers · all Johor projects
Sources: Johor foreign ownership guidelines and Stamp Act 1949 rates as published for 2026; Malaysia Immigration visa arrangements; State Bank of Vietnam foreign exchange rules on personal outward remittances. General information by a registered agent, not legal, tax or foreign exchange advice; confirm with your lawyer and adviser. By Jason Lim (REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6).