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By Jason Lim, REN 84424 · IQI Realty · Checked on 15 November 2026
Can Pakistanis and Bangladeshis buy property in Malaysia? Yes. Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh buy on the same terms as any other foreigner, wherever they live. In Johor that generally means a RM1 million minimum for most homes, state consent with a 3% approval fee and 8% stamp duty on the transfer. The harder part is often at home: both countries control money leaving the country, so residents should check the rules with their bank before booking.
Quick answer
- Who can buy: Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens, in their own name, as foreign buyers.
- Johor rules: generally a RM1 million minimum for residential property, with only limited exceptions (for example, some serviced apartments sold by developers with state approval); no area is exempt as a whole. State consent: 3% of the price (minimum RM30,000) plus RM2,000 per title.
- Stamp duty: a flat 8% on residential transfers to foreign individuals from 1 January 2026.
- Money from Pakistan: the State Bank of Pakistan’s general permissions for residents investing abroad do not list buying a home abroad. Ask your bank whether you need SBP approval.
- Money from Bangladesh: the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 bars residents from paying for property abroad unless Bangladesh Bank grants an exemption.
- No visa with the home: both passports need a visa to visit. For MM2H, I coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent.
Who this guide is for
Malaysia has no special category for Pakistani or Bangladeshi buyers. Two things decide your path: your citizenship here, and where you are resident at home.
| You are | Malaysian rules | Home-country points |
|---|---|---|
| Living in Pakistan | Foreign buyer: Johor’s minimum price, state consent, 8% stamp duty | SBP foreign exchange rules apply to money you send. Resident taxpayers report foreign income and assets to the FBR. |
| Living in Bangladesh | Foreign buyer under the same rules | FERA 1947 section 5 applies to payments for property abroad. Residents are taxed on income from outside Bangladesh. |
| Working in the Gulf, the UK, Singapore or Malaysia | Foreign buyer under the same rules. A work pass or PR gives no special status. | Your residence status at home decides which rules apply. Confirm it with the FBR or NBR, or a tax adviser. |
| Married to a Malaysian | Still a foreign buyer in your own name; buying jointly or in your spouse’s name changes the rules | See foreign spouses buying property. |
The Johor rules for foreign buyers
Each state sets its own conditions. In Johor:
| Rule | What it means for you | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum price | Generally RM1 million for residential property bought by foreigners, new or subsale. There are only limited exceptions (for example, some serviced apartments sold by developers with state approval); no area is exempt as a whole. | Malaysian Bar Circular 444/2024 (Johor table as at October 2024); New Straits Times, April 2026 |
| State consent and approval fee | Every foreign purchase needs Johor state consent. The fee is 3% of the price (or official valuation for a subsale, if higher), minimum RM30,000, plus RM2,000 per title. It is 2% (minimum RM20,000) for transfers within an immediate family. | PTG Johor, Pekeliling Bil. 3 Tahun 2025, in force 1 July 2025 |
| Stamp duty on the transfer | A flat 8% of the price or market value for residential property bought by foreign individuals and foreign companies, from 1 January 2026. | LHDN stamp duty guideline, 30 June 2026 |
| Land foreigners cannot buy | Malay reserve land, and homes reserved for Malaysians such as state affordable housing. | See Malay reserve land in Johor and Rumah Mampu Milik Johor |
Two examples (my calculation):
| Purchase price | Stamp duty (8%) | State approval fee (3%) + RM2,000 per title | Total before legal and financing costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM1,000,000 | RM80,000 | RM32,000 | RM1,112,000 |
| RM1,500,000 | RM120,000 | RM47,000 | RM1,667,000 |
More detail: Johor’s foreigner minimum price, state consent and stamp duty in 2026. Buy in your own name, never through a Malaysian nominee (see nominee risks).
Financing a Malaysian home as a foreigner
Bank Negara Malaysia’s Foreign Exchange Policy lets a non-resident borrow ringgit to buy or build residential or commercial property, but not land alone. Each bank decides whether, and how much, to lend. For Shariah-compliant options, see Islamic home financing; availability to non-residents varies.
Bring your employment contract, payslips and bank statements, plan for a large cash portion, and get a bank’s indication before you sign the SPA. See home loans for foreigners and cash vs financing. This is general information, not financial advice.
Sending money from Pakistan: the SBP side
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) sets the rules for money leaving Pakistan through its Foreign Exchange Manual. In general terms:
- Investment abroad by residents. Chapter 20 of the manual (updated by FE Circular No. 1 of 11 July 2024) lists general permissions for individuals, such as listed foreign shares up to USD25,000 a calendar year, using tax-paid funds. Buying a home abroad is not among the general permissions I could find.
- Foreign currency accounts. Chapter 6 covers remittances from eligible foreign currency accounts, but what may be credited to them is restricted. Ask your bank how the rules apply to yours.
- Ask before you book. Show your bank the booking form and ask, in writing, whether the transfer needs SBP approval.
If you live and earn abroad, you will usually pay from your account there; confirm your residence status with a Pakistani tax adviser.
Sending money from Bangladesh: the Bangladesh Bank side
Bangladesh’s rules are stricter. Section 5(1)(e) of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 says that no person in, or resident in, Bangladesh may make a payment linked to acquiring property outside Bangladesh, unless Bangladesh Bank has granted a general or special exemption. In practice:
- Residents need Bangladesh Bank’s permission. Without an exemption covering your purchase, a resident cannot lawfully pay for a Malaysian home. Ask your bank and Bangladesh Bank before you book.
- Disclosure. The Income Tax Act 2023 deals with offshore assets that a resident has not disclosed in the tax return (section 21). Any asset you hold lawfully abroad belongs in your return.
- Bangladeshis living abroad. If you live and earn abroad, ask a Bangladeshi adviser how your status is treated before paying from foreign earnings.
For both countries: never use hundi, hawala or any informal channel, and never split payments to stay under a limit. Informal transfers break the rules at home, and in Malaysia the lawyer, developer and bank will ask where the money came from. I only work with payments made through banks with the proper approvals.
Receiving the money in Malaysia
Under Bank Negara’s Foreign Exchange Policy Notices (in force 1 October 2025), a non-resident may convert foreign currency to ringgit with a licensed onshore bank and later take sale proceeds and rent out in foreign currency.
- Pay only the right accounts. A new launch is paid into the project’s Housing Development Account named in your SPA or bill; a subsale into your lawyer’s client account. Never a personal account.
- Expect source-of-funds questions. Under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001, lawyers, estate agents and banks may ask for salary records, sale deeds or bank statements. See source of funds checks.
See paying for Johor property from abroad and opening a Malaysian bank account.
Buying in JB from Pakistan, Bangladesh or the Gulf?
Tell me where you live, your budget and whether you will pay cash or finance. I’ll shortlist homes that meet Johor’s rules and set out when each payment falls due.
WhatsApp JasonTax: Malaysia first, then home
Malaysia taxes Malaysian property income first. Both home countries tax residents on foreign income as well: Bangladesh’s Income Tax Act 2023 (section 26) includes income arising outside Bangladesh for a resident, and Pakistan’s Income Tax Ordinance 2001 gives resident taxpayers a foreign tax credit on foreign-source income (section 103). Since tax year 2025 the FBR also has a separate electronic foreign income and assets declaration for resident individuals.
| Event | In Malaysia | At home (residents) |
|---|---|---|
| You buy | 8% stamp duty, Johor approval fee, legal fees | Keep the SPA, receipts and approvals; declare the asset. |
| You let the home | Non-resident individuals pay a flat 30% on rental income, with no personal reliefs | Pakistan: report the income; a foreign tax credit applies within limits. Bangladesh: it forms part of a resident’s total income; ask the NBR how credit for Malaysian tax works. |
| You sell | RPGT for non-citizens: 30% of the gain within five years, 10% from the sixth year. The buyer’s lawyer retains 7% of the price for LHDN within 60 days. | Generally reportable; ask the FBR or NBR how. Bringing proceeds home follows central bank rules. |
Ask your adviser whether a Malaysian tax treaty with your country applies. If you move to Johor, read the 182-day tax residency rule. See also tax for non-resident landlords, RPGT and, for Muslim owners, zakat on rental income.
Visas: the home does not come with one
Malaysia’s Immigration Department lists both Pakistan and Bangladesh among the countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Malaysia, so plan a visa before a viewing or signing trip (the official eVISA portal handles applications). Foreign visitors also fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. A home does not give you the right to stay (see does buying property give residency?). Longer-stay options:
| Option | Key terms | Home purchase? |
|---|---|---|
| MM2H Silver, Gold, Platinum | Age 25+; fixed deposit of USD150,000, USD500,000 or USD1 million; pass of 5, 15 or 20 years | Yes, after approval: at least RM600,000, RM1 million or RM2 million, held for 10 years. Johor’s foreign-buyer rules still apply. |
| Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) | RM40,000 monthly income and a RM1 million fixed deposit; up to 20 years | No, but holders may buy |
| DE Rantau Nomad Pass | For remote workers. New applications paused 1–30 November 2026; a new framework applies from 1 December 2026, so check MDEC for current terms. | No |
MM2H is the only route tied to a home: approval first, then the purchase. The fixed deposit is also money sent abroad, so the rules above apply. I coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent for the application and handle the property side; approval is decided by the authorities. See my MM2H 2026 guide and MM2H property support. PVIP applications go only through Immigration-authorised agencies; see my PVIP guide.
Signing papers from Karachi, Lahore, Dhaka or Dubai
Many buyers view by live video and fly in once for the SPA or the keys. If you sign abroad, your Malaysian lawyer will say which witnessing they accept, such as an officer at a Malaysian mission or a local notary with legalisation.
See buying without flying in, powers of attorney and the legal steps of buying in Johor. Plan for inheritance too: Muslim owners can read about faraid, hibah and wasiat, and every owner about foreign heirs.
Where to buy if this matters to you
- JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar: the Causeway and the RTS Link station (service targeted for early 2027).
- Iskandar Puteri: international schools and the Second Link.
- Kulai and Senai: closest to Senai airport.
- Mount Austin: an established family area.
- Tebrau, Setia Indah and Molek: mature neighbourhoods with malls.
Compare them on my JB property map, or browse new launches in Johor Bahru. Many families rent first. Related guides: Gulf-based buyers, UK expats, European buyers.
More Johor living guides: Muslim-friendly living in JB · Cost of living in JB · Best areas to live in JB · Hospitals and healthcare in JB · Buying property as a Filipino
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistanis and Bangladeshis buy property in Malaysia?
Yes, as foreign buyers in their own name. In Johor that generally means a RM1 million minimum for most homes, state consent with a 3% approval fee (minimum RM30,000) and 8% stamp duty on the transfer.
Can I send money from Pakistan to buy a home in Malaysia?
Check first. The SBP’s general permissions for residents investing abroad cover items such as listed shares, not homes. Ask your bank in writing whether your transfer needs SBP approval.
Can a Bangladesh resident buy property in Malaysia?
Malaysia allows it, but Bangladesh’s Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 bars residents from paying for property abroad unless Bangladesh Bank grants an exemption. Ask Bangladesh Bank or your bank before you book.
I work in Dubai. Which rules apply to me?
In Malaysia, the same foreign-buyer rules. At home, your residence status decides whether the rules for residents apply; confirm it with a tax adviser in Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Do Pakistanis and Bangladeshis need a visa to visit Malaysia?
Yes. The Immigration Department lists both countries among those that need a visa. Apply before a viewing trip and fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival.
Does buying a home in Malaysia give me a visa?
No. Long stays need MM2H, PVIP or a work pass. Only MM2H requires a home purchase, after approval. Jason coordinates with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent; approval is decided by the authorities.
Planning a purchase from Pakistan or Bangladesh?
Tell me where you live and work, your budget and the home you want. I will shortlist units that meet Johor’s rules, set out the payment schedule so you can arrange approvals at home, and work with your lawyer on state consent. You can also book an appointment for viewings, or a Zoom consultation from Karachi, Lahore, Dhaka or the Gulf.
Sources: PTG Johor, Pekeliling Bil. 3 Tahun 2025 (foreign-interest approval fees), in force 1 July 2025; Malaysian Bar, Circular No 444/2024, restrictions on non-citizens (Johor table as at October 2024), 23 December 2024; New Straits Times, “Foreigners hit Johor property resale wall”, 20 April 2026; LHDN, Garis Panduan Pengenaan Duti Setem, First Schedule, Stamp Act 1949, 30 June 2026; LHDN, RPGT rates, checked November 2026; LHDN, RPGT responsibilities of disposer and acquirer (retention rates), updated 26 June 2026; LHDN, who is taxable (non-resident individuals), checked November 2026; Bank Negara Malaysia, Consolidated Foreign Exchange Policy Notices, in force 1 October 2025; Bank Negara Malaysia, FEP rules for non-residents: borrowing in Malaysia, checked November 2026; Bank Negara Malaysia, AML/CFT/CPF and TFS policy document for DNFBPs and NBFIs, effective 6 February 2024; State Bank of Pakistan, Foreign Exchange Manual, Chapter 20, para 13 (investment abroad by residents, per FE Circular No. 01 of 11 July 2024), checked November 2026; State Bank of Pakistan, Foreign Exchange Manual, Chapter 6 (foreign currency accounts), checked November 2026; Federal Board of Revenue, Income Tax Ordinance 2001, section 103 (foreign tax credit), checked November 2026; Business Recorder, FBR e-declaration of foreign income and assets for resident individuals (SRO 1562(I)/2025), 19 August 2025; Laws of Bangladesh (Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division), Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947, section 5, checked November 2026; National Board of Revenue, Income Tax Act 2023, sections 21 and 26, checked November 2026; Immigration Department of Malaysia, visa requirement by country, checked 14 November 2026; Tourism Malaysia, travel alert on the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, checked November 2026; MM2H official site, requirements and regulations (last updated 10 February 2026), checked November 2026; MOTAC, Terms and Regulations under the SEZ/SFZ category, January 2026; Immigration Department of Malaysia, PVIP general FAQ, checked November 2026; MDEC, notice on the Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework (new applications paused 1–30 November 2026; new framework from 1 December 2026), November 2026; Malay Mail, “Johor-Singapore RTS Link fares expected by year-end”, 20 October 2026
Jason Lim, REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6. General information checked on 15 November 2026, not legal, tax, financial or immigration advice. Jason does not process visa applications; for MM2H he coordinates with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent. Johor state rules, Bank Negara, State Bank of Pakistan and Bangladesh Bank rules, and tax rules in each country change; confirm with your bank, the central bank, a tax adviser and your Malaysian lawyer before each step.