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Pathway

Malaysia 20-Year Long-Stay Visa

Malaysia Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Malaysia’s Premium Visa Programme offers long stays and permitted work, business, and study for applicants who meet substantial financial requirements. Income or net worth, a bank deposit, and participation fees are separate conditions.

Income or net worth
MYR 40,000 monthly income or MYR 1 billion net worth
Required deposit
MYR 1 million, with restricted withdrawals after six months
Main participation fee
MYR 200,000, separate from the deposit and annual pass fee

Summary

Malaysia’s Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) offers qualifying applicants a long stay with permission for lawful work, business, study, and investment, subject to the rules for those activities.

The program can cover up to 20 years, in four five-year periods. Each period remains subject to the required approval and conditions. There is no minimum age or annual minimum stay, but the financial requirements are substantial.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Income or net worth, plus a bank deposit

You must show either:

Whichever option you use, you must also place a MYR 1 million fixed deposit in a licensed Malaysian bank. Net worth does not replace the deposit.

For income, prepare the latest three months of supporting evidence. Employees may need payslips, employer confirmation, and matching bank records. Business or investment income may need annual records, tax documents, bank statements, and independent confirmation. Immigration can ask for more evidence.

Deposit withdrawal rules

Keep the full deposit for the first six months after your first pass endorsement. After that, with Immigration’s recommendation, you may withdraw up to 50% for approved property, medical, or education expenses in Malaysia. Maintain at least MYR 500,000 in the deposit.

Documents and family

Apply through a PVIP agency authorized by Immigration. Your passport must have at least 24 months of validity. Prepare identity and immigration-history records, a resume, the required good-conduct evidence, and family documents. Use English records or the required certified translations.

The Royal Malaysia Police carries out security checks on applicants and dependents. Complete the required Malaysian medical report before the pass is endorsed.

Eligible dependents may include your spouse, biological, step, or adopted children under 25, children of any age with a certified disability, parents, and parents-in-law. A foreign domestic helper follows separate rules. Supply relationship, custody, and consent documents where needed.

Fees are separate from the deposit

Charge Stated amount
Main applicant’s nonrefundable participation fee MYR 200,000: MYR 2,000 initially and MYR 198,000 as the balance
Dependent participation fee MYR 100,000 for 20 years, or MYR 50,000 for 10 years
Pass fee MYR 2,000 a year

Visa and security-bond charges depend on nationality. Agency fees and other third-party costs are additional. Ask for a written breakdown before paying.

Preparing for Malaysia’s Premium Visa Programme
  1. Confirm finances and choose an authorized agency Check income or net worth, the separate deposit, and the full fee breakdown.
  2. Complete the application and required checks Prepare personal and financial records, medical evidence, and the bank deposit.
  3. Maintain each approved period Follow activity rules, preserve the required balance, and apply for extensions on time.

A 20-year program is delivered through conditional five-year periods; it does not confer permanent residence.

What This Route Allows

Approved participants can live in Malaysia and undertake permitted work, business, study, and active investment. Residential, commercial, or industrial property purchases remain subject to the relevant property rules.

PVIP does not remove professional licensing, company, education, labor, or state-level requirements. Confirm the approvals needed for the specific activity you plan.

An extension beyond the 20-year program can be requested at least six months before the active pass expires. The stated participation charge is half the fee in force at that time. An extension is not guaranteed.

What This Route Is Not

PVIP is not permanent residence or citizenship. It does not automatically provide the MyPR status or other conditions needed for naturalization.

Having no annual minimum stay does not make your income tax-free. Check the tax treatment of your residence and activities separately.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm whether you qualify through income or net worth, and budget separately for the deposit and all fees.
  2. Verify the agency on Immigration’s current authorized list before providing documents or payment.
  3. Prepare financial, identity, conduct, and family records. Complete the deposit, medical, and endorsement steps as instructed.
  4. Check activity-specific approvals, maintain the required deposit balance, and track each five-year period and any extension deadline.

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