Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) vs Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
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
- ›Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is faster: 2 months vs 3 months for Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).
- ›Lower capital: Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) (20,000 USD) vs 150,000 for Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H).
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Malaysia · retirement | Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) Philippines · retirement | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia | Philippines |
| Category | Retirement | Retirement |
| Application Fee | $4,300 | $1,400 |
| Minimum Income | $9,100 /mo | — |
| Minimum Investment | $150,000 | $20,000 |
| Processing Time | 3 months | 2 months |
| Family Included | Spouse and unmarried children under 34 may be included as dependents; dependent pass fee of ~MYR 500 per person | Spouse and up to two unmarried dependent children under 21 may be included; additional $15,000 deposit required per additional dependent beyond the first two |
| 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; visa is permanent and multiple-entry, valid as long as the deposit 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. | SRRV holders who spend 180+ days per year in the Philippines may become tax residents subject to Philippine income tax on Philippine-source income. Foreign pension income is generally exempt from Philippine income tax. |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 182 days/yr | 180 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Territorial | Territorial |
| Renewal Cost | $1,100 | $360 |
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 Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
The Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is a permanent residency programme administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority for foreign nationals aged 35 and above, requiring a time deposit of $20,000 to $50,000 USD in a Philippine Retirement Authority-accredited bank depending on the applicant's age and pension status. The visa grants permanent multiple-entry residency status immediately upon approval, with no minimum annual stay requirement, and holders are exempt from obtaining re-entry permits. The deposit earns interest and may be used for approved investments in real estate after two years.
Full Philippines Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) 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 Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
- ⚠The bank deposit is yours and earns interest — but you cannot withdraw it while your SRRV is active; it is a maintained balance requirement
- ⚠Annual PRA fee (USD 360/yr) is non-negotiable — missing payments leads to visa cancellation
- ⚠SRRV does not grant the right to work in the Philippines — employment requires a separate work permit
- ⚠Philippines has a strict "balikbayan" privilege for former Filipinos, but SRRV is for foreigners — the two are different programs
- ⚠ACR I-Card must be renewed every 5 years — do not forget or you face overstay fines even with valid SRRV
- ⚠The medical certificate requirement means applicants with serious pre-existing conditions may be rejected under SRRV Human Touch sub-type — check with PRA first
- ⚠Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines (only condominiums up to 40% foreign ownership building cap, or via long-term lease) — SRRV does not change property ownership rules
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.