← All Johor projects · Buyer guide for Korea · Updated October 2026
Korean families come to Johor Bahru for international schools and English-language education, and investors for freehold homes next to Singapore. This page sets out Malaysia’s rules for foreign buyers, Korea’s reporting rules, 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. |
Korea’s rules for buying property abroad
- Report before you buy. Korean residents must report an overseas property acquisition to a designated foreign exchange bank and have it accepted before paying.
- After the purchase. File an acquisition report within three months of remitting the purchase money, a disposal report within three months of selling, and a holding confirmation every two years.
- Documents. The bank typically asks for the purchase contract, a valuation, a tax clearance certificate and resident registration.
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. Korean passport holders can visit Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 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 Korea: quick answers
Can Koreans buy property in Johor Bahru?
Yes. Foreign buyers, including Korean 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.
Do Korean residents need to report an overseas property purchase?
Yes. Report it to a designated foreign exchange bank before paying, then file an acquisition report within three months of remitting the funds and a holding confirmation every two years.
한국인도 조호르바루에서 부동산을 살 수 있나요?
네. 외국인은 조호르주에서 100만 링깃 이상의 부동산을 주정부 승인을 받아 구입할 수 있으며, 2026년부터 외국인 취득 인지세는 8%입니다. 한국 거주자는 구입 전에 외국환은행에 해외부동산 취득 신고를 해야 합니다. 구입 가능한 프로젝트 목록과 전체 비용은 WhatsApp으로 Jason에게 문의하세요.
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; Korea Federation of Banks guidance on overseas real estate acquisition under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. 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).