Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)
Malaysia MYS
The Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) is the Immigration Department of Malaysia's long-term residency visa for investors, entrepreneurs and foreign talents, with approval of up to 20 years and a multiple-entry visa. It requires a fixed deposit of at least RM 1,000,000 (approximately $215,000 USD) with a licensed Malaysian bank plus participation fees, and is separate from the MM2H categories run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Per the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026), benefits include no age limits, an exemption from the minimum staying requirement, permission to work and carry out legal business activities in accordance with the laws of the country, and permission to study and to purchase real estate. Malaysia's low cost of living and high English proficiency make it one of Southeast Asia's most compelling long-stay destinations for high-net-worth individuals.
Program Details
- Category
- Investment
- Est. total time
- ~3 months (indicative)
- Application Fee
- $10,000
- Minimum Income
- $8,600/mo
- Minimum Investment
- $215,000
- Family Included
- Spouse and dependent children up to 34 years of age may be included as dependants under the same application
- Path to PR
- No
- Path to Citizenship
- No
- Physical Presence
- No minimum stay requirement; the 20-year multiple-entry visa allows flexible visits
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Tax Impact
- Malaysian income-tax residence for individuals is set by section 7 of the Income Tax Act 1967: being in Malaysia for 182 days or more in a basis year makes you resident (other s.7 tests can also apply). The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) states no tax treatment for PVIP holders, so check how your foreign income is taxed with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN/HASiL).
- Renewal Cost
- $0
RM 40,000 per month (about USD 8,600 at this site's RM-to-USD rate) or RM 480,000 per year of onshore and offshore income, shown by the latest 3 months' bank statements (Immigration Department PVIP FAQ, Jan 2026). The FAQ also lists a net-worth alternative; confirm the figure with the Immigration Department.
Processing time above is an indicative end-to-end estimate, not an official government figure. Official government processing times →
Key Requirements
- ✓Fixed deposit of at least RM 1,000,000 (~$215,000 USD) with a licensed Malaysian bank, with no withdrawals on the principal except up to 50% after six months from the first PVIP endorsement for real estate, medical or educational purposes, with a letter of recommendation from the Immigration Department (Immigration Department PVIP FAQ, Jan 2026)
- ✓Participation fee of RM 200,000 for the principal applicant and RM 100,000 for dependants (Immigration Department PVIP FAQ, Jan 2026)
- ✓Proof of onshore and offshore income of RM 40,000 per month or RM 480,000 per year, shown by the latest 3 months' bank statements; the FAQ also lists a net-worth alternative, so confirm the figure with the Immigration Department
- ✓Valid passport with at least 18 months validity
- ✓Clean criminal record and health declaration
- ✓Application submitted through the Immigration Department of Malaysia
Am I eligible for Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)?
Quick self-check based on the published criteria. Not legal advice. No data leaves your browser.
Nationality eligibility
Select your nationality to check.
Minimum monthly income
Programme requires $8,600/month.
Minimum investment / capital
Programme requires $215,000.
Fill in the fields above to see a verdict.
This is a heuristic, not a determination. Final eligibility depends on full documentation and immigration-officer discretion.
Nationality Restrictions
This program restricts applications from nationals of: Citizens of countries under Malaysian sanctions or travel advisories may not be eligible
Application Process — Step by Step
- 01
Confirm eligibility: income and age requirement
home countryPer the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026), the programme is open to all age categories and requires onshore and offshore income of RM 40,000 per month or RM 480,000 per year (latest 3 months' bank statements), plus a RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit. The FAQ also lists a net-worth alternative to the income proof; confirm the figure with the Immigration Department. Applicant must not have Malaysian PR or citizenship. Must not be on Malaysia immigration watchlist.
Typical duration: 1 weeksource ↗
- 02
Apply via licensed PVIP agent (mandatory)
home countryApplications through licensed agent to Immigration Department (IMI). Agent fee varies. Agent submits package including financial declarations, source of wealth statement, police clearances.
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
- 03
Pay PVIP fee: RM 200,000 (≈USD 43,000) for 20 years
onlineNon-refundable PVIP participation fee of RM 200,000 per principal applicant (RM 2,000 initial fee at online registration, balance RM 198,000) and RM 100,000 per dependant for the standard term; the 10-year dependant option costs RM 50,000 per dependant (Immigration Department PVIP FAQ, Jan 2026).
Typical duration: 1-2 weekssource ↗
- 04
Medical examination + biometrics + collect visa
destinationAttend IMI-approved medical centre. Submit biometrics. PVIP multiple-entry visa for 20 years issued.
Typical duration: 2-4 weekssource ↗
Documents Required
| Document | Issued By | Apostille | Translate to | Validity (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valid passport (12+ months validity) | Home country | No | en | 365 |
| Latest 3 months' bank statements showing qualifying income (RM 40,000/month or RM 480,000/year) | Accountant / bank | Yes | en | 90 |
| Source of wealth documentation | Bank / accountant | Yes | en | 90 |
| Police clearance (last 5 years) | Home country police | Yes | en | 90 |
| Medical examination report (IMI-approved clinic) | Approved Malaysian clinic | No | — | 30 |
| Health insurance covering Malaysia | Insurer | No | en | 365 |
Realistic Costs
Some figures below are industry estimates rather than officially verified: lawyer_fee_low, lawyer_fee_high, translations, apostilles, health_insurance_first_year, relocation_misc, total_5_year_low, total_5_year_high.
Dominant cost: RM 200,000 (≈USD 43,000) PVIP participation fee for 20 years — approximately USD 2,150/yr amortized over 20 years. The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) also requires a RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian bank. Spouse RM 100,000 (≈USD 21,500) additional.
Realistic Timeline
- Consulate wait2–6 weeks
- Residence card issuance4 weeks
- Total to residence card8–20 weeks
PVIP processing can take 2-5 months. Less backlog than MM2H due to higher threshold filtering.
Renewal
- First renewal after
- 240 months
- Subsequent cycle
- 240 months
- Renewal fee
- $43,000
- Requirements
- PVIP valid 20 years from issuance. After 20 years, re-apply at prevailing rates. No annual renewals required within the 20-year term.
Path to Permanent Residency — Details
- Years required
- None — no PR pathway on this visa
- Integration test
- Not required
Path to Citizenship — Details
- Years required
- None — no citizenship pathway on this visa
- Language test
- Yes (A2)
- Civic test
- Required
- Oath
- Required
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
Tax Residency
- Trigger
- 182 days/year of presence
- Taxation scope
- Territorial (in-country only)
- Exit-tax country
- No
Special regimes
- Foreign-source incomeNot stated in the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026)
The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) states no tax exemption or rate for PVIP holders. How foreign-source income is taxed depends on your residence status under section 7 of the Income Tax Act 1967 and current LHDN rules; confirm with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN/HASiL).
source ↗
Health Insurance
- Mandatory
- Yes
- Minimum coverage
- $50,000
Examples: AXA Affin, Great Eastern, Prudential Malaysia, AIA Malaysia, Cigna Global
Banking Setup
- Open account before arrival
- Not typically possible before arrival
Bridge fintechs
Local banks accepting applicants
Maybank, CIMB Bank, HSBC Malaysia, Standard Chartered Malaysia, Public Bank
Family Specifics
- Spouse work rights
- Spouse included (RM 100,000 fee). The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) says participants may be accompanied by spouses, children, parents and foreign domestic helpers, but does not state separate work rights for dependants — confirm with the Immigration Department.
- Child school enrolment
- Dependants are included at RM 100,000 each for the standard term (RM 50,000 each for the 10-year dependant option), and the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) lists spouse, children below 25, disabled children of any age, and parents and parents-in-law of the principal. Excellent international school options in KL and Penang.
- Parent inclusion
- Eligible
- Sibling inclusion
- Not eligible
Gotchas — Things to Watch For
- ⚠PVIP does NOT lead to PR or citizenship — Malaysia offers no investor immigration pathway to permanence
- ⚠RM 200,000 fee (≈USD 43,000) is non-refundable — most expensive Malaysia visa, and the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) also requires a RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit
- ⚠Malaysia does not allow dual citizenship — PVIP is a pure long-stay lifestyle product
- ⚠The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) says participants are "allowed to work and carry out legal business activities in accordance with the laws of the country" — confirm the permit mechanics with the Immigration Department or your licensed agent
- ⚠20-year term is exceptional value per year compared to shorter programmes
- ⚠Property purchase allowed (min MYR 1M) — attractive for families seeking permanent base without citizenship
What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ×Work or business activity outside what Malaysian law permits (the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) allows work and legal business activities "in accordance with the laws of the country")
- ×Withdrawing principal from the RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit, apart from the partial (50%) withdrawal the FAQ allows after six months from the first PVIP endorsement for real estate, medical or educational purposes with an Immigration Department letter of recommendation
- ×Does not lead to Malaysian permanent residency or citizenship
Before You Arrive — Checklist
- Appoint licensed PVIP agent
- Prepare the latest 3 months' bank statements showing qualifying income, and the funds for the RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit
- Obtain police clearance from all countries of residence in last 5 years
- Apostille financial and background documents
After You Arrive — Checklist
- Medical examination at IMI-approved clinic
- Biometrics at IMI office
- Collect PVIP multiple-entry visa (20 years)
- Purchase Malaysian property (PVIP holders allowed; min MYR 1,000,000)
- Open Malaysian bank account
Common Rejection Reasons
- •Financial criteria not met (income of RM 40,000/month or RM 480,000/year, or the FAQ's net-worth alternative, plus the RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit)
- •Criminal record
- •On Malaysia immigration watchlist
- •Existing Malaysian PR or citizenship
- •Source of wealth deemed unclear
Recent Legislative Changes
2022-01-01
Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) launched as a new high-net-worth long-stay product by IMI. 20-year multiple-entry visa for applicants meeting the financial criteria and paying a RM 200,000 participation fee.source ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
PVIP vs MM2H — which is better for a wealthy family?+
The official terms differ, so compare them directly. The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) lists a RM 1,000,000 fixed deposit with a licensed Malaysian bank, participation fees of RM 200,000 (principal) and RM 100,000 (dependants), an exemption from the minimum staying requirement, and approval of up to 20 years (dependants can opt for 10 years at RM 50,000 each). MM2H is run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Platinum, Gold, Silver and SEZ/SFZ categories, each with its own fixed deposit and fee, and its guidelines require participants below 50 to be in Malaysia 90 days (cumulative) in one year. Which suits a family depends on how much time you will spend in Malaysia and the deposit and fee you are comfortable with; check the current figures on mm2h.gov.my and the PVIP FAQ before deciding.
Can PVIP holders work in Malaysia?+
According to the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026), yes — within the law. It lists as a benefit that participants "are also allowed to work and carry out legal business activities in accordance with the laws of the country", and states that "PVIP participant pass holders are allowed to be employed and study in Malaysia". It does not set out the permit mechanics, so confirm the details with the Immigration Department or your licensed agent before relying on it for a specific job or business.
What are the Malaysia tax resident criteria for PVIP holders?+
Neither the Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) nor LHDN's residence-status page sets a separate tax-residence test for PVIP holders; under section 7 of the Income Tax Act 1967, residence is based on days physically present in Malaysia. You are resident if you are in Malaysia for a period or periods amounting to 182 days or more in the basis year (paragraph 7(1)(a)). A shorter stay can still make you resident if it links to a period of 182 or more consecutive days in the preceding or following basis year, where certain temporary absences count as part of that period: absences connected with your service in Malaysia (including attending conferences or seminars or study abroad), absences owing to ill-health involving yourself or an immediate family member, and social visits abroad of up to 14 days in aggregate, provided you are in Malaysia immediately before and after the absence (7(1)(b)). Two further tests apply to people with a multi-year pattern of stays: 90 days or more in the basis year combined with residence or 90-plus-day presence in any three of the four preceding years (7(1)(c)), and residence in the following year combined with residence in each of the three preceding years (7(1)(d)). The Immigration Department PVIP FAQ (Jan 2026) lists an exemption from the minimum staying requirement as a benefit, so holding the visa does not itself oblige you to spend 182 days in Malaysia. The same FAQ does not state any tax treatment for PVIP holders, so confirm how your own income is taxed with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN/HASiL) or a Malaysian tax adviser.
Good Fit For
Applying from a specific country? Your home-country tax rules, banking access, and dual-citizenship options affect every programme differently. Browse nationality guides → for tax obligations, renunciation rules, and second-passport routes.
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