Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) vs Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Lower capital: Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) (75,000 USD) vs 150,000 for Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Malaysia · retirement | Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) Philippines · investment | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia | Philippines |
| Category | Retirement | Investment |
| Application Fee | $4,300 | $2,800 |
| Minimum Income | $9,100 /mo | — |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 | $75,000 |
| Processing Time | 3 months | 3 months |
| Family Included | Spouse and unmarried children under 34 may be included as dependents; dependent pass fee of ~MYR 500 per person | Spouse and unmarried dependent children under 21 may be included as dependants with no additional investment requirement |
| Path to PR | No | Yes — 0 years |
| Path to Citizenship | No | No |
| Physical Presence | Under revised 2023 rules: minimum 90 days per year in Malaysia | No minimum annual stay requirement; the SIRV is a permanent multiple-entry residency visa valid as long as the investment is maintained |
| Dual Citizenship | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Tax Impact | Foreign-sourced income is not taxed in Malaysia. MM2H holders are not required to pay Malaysian income tax on income earned abroad. Local income is subject to standard Malaysian income tax. | SIRV holders residing 180+ days per year in the Philippines become Philippine tax residents liable for Philippine income tax on Philippine-source income. Dividends from Philippine investments are subject to a 10% final withholding tax. |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 182 days/yr | 180 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Territorial | Territorial |
| Renewal Cost | $1,100 | $200 |
About Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)
Malaysia's My Second Home (MM2H) program grants a 5-year renewable multiple-entry visa to retirees and high-net-worth individuals, requiring a fixed deposit and offshore income. The program was revamped in 2021 with significantly higher thresholds, making it more exclusive than earlier iterations.
Full Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) profile →About Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
The Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) grants immediate permanent residency to foreign nationals who invest a minimum of $75,000 USD in eligible Philippine enterprises registered with the Board of Investments (BOI) or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The visa is permanent and multiple-entry, requiring no annual renewal or minimum stay, and is suitable for investors seeking a Southeast Asian base with one of the region's lowest investment thresholds for immediate permanent residency. Unlike the SRRV, the SIRV is equity-based and ties the investor directly to productive economic activity in the Philippines.
Full Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)
- ⚠MM2H does NOT grant work rights — holders cannot be employed in Malaysia or operate a business without separate work authorization
- ⚠MM2H does NOT lead to PR or citizenship — pure long-stay visa
- ⚠Fixed deposit is substantial: Silver tier RM 500,000 (≈USD 110,000) locked for visa duration
- ⚠2021/2022 MM2H revision dramatically raised thresholds from old RM 300,000 deposit and RM 10,000/mo income — many existing holders faced sudden non-compliance
- ⚠2024 revision added Platinum tier and clarified partial withdrawal rules (up to 50% for approved purposes like property, education, medical)
- ⚠Mandatory licensed agent — cannot self-apply; agent costs RM 5,000-10,000
- ⚠Malaysia does not allow dual citizenship — MM2H is not on a path to citizenship and naturalization requires renouncing
- ⚠Labuan company structure is NOT a tax-free structure for MM2H holders who are Malaysian tax residents — 3% corporate tax applies
Philippines Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV)
- ⚠SIRV does not grant work rights — employment requires a separate Alien Employment Permit from DOLE
- ⚠Foreign land ownership is prohibited in the Philippines regardless of visa type — investment must be in PSE stocks, government securities, or qualifying condominiums (not land)
- ⚠Annual BI Report must be filed every January — missing this is a common mistake that leads to fines
- ⚠Investment value can fluctuate — if Philippine stock market falls and your holding drops below USD 75,000, you may need to top up to maintain SIRV
- ⚠Condominium investment: 40% foreign ownership cap per building — confirm unit is in a building below the cap before purchase
- ⚠BSP registration of inward remittance is crucial — without it, you cannot repatriate proceeds when you exit
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.