How to Move to Malaysia in 2025 – FREE Step-by-Step Guide

Jump to: Quick Facts · Living Essentials · Pros · Cons
Visas · Residency & Citizenship · Business · Resources

Tropical escapes and bustling cities on your mind? Your guide to Malaysia awaits:

🇲🇾 Malaysia at a Glance

Population: 35,028,030 (2025), growing at 1.03%
Geography: Split into West Malaysia (Peninsular) and East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), divided by the South China Sea
Climate: Tropical, steady 25-32°C (77-90°F), high humidity, lots of rain all year
Historical trivia: Founded in 1963 by merging Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, and the Federation of Malaya (Singapore exited in 1965)
Political system: 13 states, 3 federal territories, and a constitutional monarchy

Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) – look for the RM symbol
National language: Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) – but don’t worry, English is common
Major religions: Islam (63.5%), Buddhism (18.7%), Christianity (9.1%), Hinduism (6.1%), others & non-religious
Major ethnicities: Malays (50.1%), Chinese (22.6%), Indigenous (11.8%), Indians (6.7%), others & non-citizens
Top cities: Kuala Lumpur (2 million), Kajang (1 million)

Cultural diversity: You’ll find amazing cuisines, festivals, and traditions
Economic opportunity: RM421 billion 2025 budget focused on investment & growth
Year-round comfort: Temperature barely fluctuates—less than 1.2°C difference!
Strategic location: Heart of Southeast Asia, stellar connections to regional markets
Affordable living: Low cost of living + RM13 billion in cash aid initiatives
Modern healthcare: RM45.3 billion government healthcare investment in 2025

Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.

Weather extremes: Heavy rain & flooding during monsoons, especially east coast Nov–March
Religious considerations: Islam is state religion—some restrictions/discrimination reported
Immigration complexity: 10% of population are non-citizens; undocumented issues, notably Sabah (27%)
Demographic shifts: Aging population due to lower birth rates
Environmental issues: Occasion heat waves, especially in Kedah and Penang
Gender imbalance: More males than females (1.10:1), which may impact social life

MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home)

Three tiers (Silver most accessible for most applicants)
Silver tier: Deposit $150,000 (in MYR) in a fixed deposit (half withdrawable after 1 year for property)
Must buy property worth at least MYR 600,000 (~$127,000)
No selling property for 10 years unless upgrading
Valid for 5 years, can be renewed
No tax on foreign-sourced income (even if remitted)
Work limitation: Can’t work locally, but remote work for overseas employers is allowed
Agent fee capped at MYR 40,000 (~$8,500)

Employment Pass (EP)

Work legally with a Malaysian organization
Up to 60 months’ duration, based on contract
Include your spouse and kids under 18 by dependent pass
Only valid for your stated employer—change companies, reapply
2025 changes: Employers need a new ‘change of category letter’ to switch EP types
EP quotas must be filed online by your employer each year

Other Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry

2025 update: Some nationals (including Indians) get up to 30 days visa-free
Passport-free system: Coming mid-2025 for travel between Johor & Singapore under JS-SEZ

Permanent Residency (PR)

High net worth individuals: Deposit $2 million USD for 5 years in a Malaysian bank
Talented/skilled professionals: Industry-specific, certificate of good conduct needed
Professionals: Similar to skilled talent process
Processing time: 3–12 months
PR is indefinite—live, work, do business, buy property freely
Family: Spouse & kids can apply after 5 years (high net worth category)

Citizenship

Eligibility: Foreigners over 21, lived in Malaysia for 10 years
No dual nationality—must give up your old citizenship
Malay language required
Documents needed: Form C, valid ID, entry permit, spouse/kid docs, birth certificate
Processing time: About 3 months
Points-based system
Perk: Visa-free travel to ~140 countries

Business Climate

Ranked 12th globally for easy business
Pro-investment: ASEAN trade deals and incentives galore
JS-SEZ (Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone): Big boost for growth and future talent

Business Entities for Foreigners

Branch Office: Extension of your foreign company; needs at least 1 Malaysian resident agent
Representative Office: Only for market research/promotions—can’t trade
Private Limited Company: Most popular; foreigners may own 100%
Sole Proprietorship: Easiest but you must be a PR
Partnership: Multi-owner option

Starting a Business as a Foreigner

Pick the right structure based on your status and goals
Foreign ownership may be restricted in certain sectors
Must register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia
Visa matters: Your visa must match your business activities (MM2H holders can’t work!)
2025 Budget: New investment incentives and tax rules on the way, plus a fresh framework in Q3 2025

Malaysian Immigration Department: Everything immigration, including PR and citizenship
JobStreet Malaysia – Malaysia’s leading employment site, offering filters by location, salary, role, and employer ratings.