Introduction

Kuala Lumpur is our number 1 choice. It provides an excellent balance between the comforts of modernity and a traditional islamic society. There is a growing emigrant community drawn by the low cost of living in housing, food and healthcare as well as a high quality of life. Long-term residency is obtainable through the MM2H programme for a minimum investment of $120k. But the hot, humid climate is not for everyone. Good A/C is a must.

Moving There

Citizenship: There is no route to citizenship through investment. The main options are marriage, descent or naturalisation. Naturalisation is the standard route for foreigners who have resided in Malaysia for a significant period. Key requirements include 10 years of continuous and legal residence in Malaysia on a valid Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSV) or 12 years of Permanent Resident (PR) status.

Residence: The Make Malaysia My Second Home Program allows foreign nationals to reside in Malaysia on a long-term multiple-entry visa. The process can take between 3 - 5 months and dependents (spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and children who are not married and under 21 years old) can be included in this application.

There are three tiers of residency:

• Silver:

  • Fixed Deposit: USD 150k

  • Fixed Deposit Withdrawal: 50% after MM2H approval for use on housing, education, healthcare or tourism

  • Real Estate: Compulsory purchase of residential property in Malaysia worth >MYR 600k and hold for 10 years

  • Other Requirements: Must reside in Malaysia for at least 90 days a year

  • Visa Term: 5 years renewable

• Gold:

  • Fixed Deposit: USD 500k

  • Fixed Deposit Withdrawal: 50% after MM2H approval for use on housing, education, healthcare or tourism

  • Real Estate: Compulsory purchase of residential property in Malaysia worth >MYR 1.0m and hold for 10 years

  • Other Requirements: Must reside in Malaysia for at least 90 days a year

  • Visa Term: 15 years renewable

• Platinum:

  • Fixed Deposit: USD 1m

  • Fixed Deposit Withdrawal: 50% after MM2H approval for use on housing, education, healthcare or tourism

  • Real Estate: Compulsory purchase of residential property in Malaysia worth >MYR 2.0m and hold for 10 years

  • Other Requirements: Must reside in Malaysia for at least 90 days a year

  • Visa Term: 20 years renewable

Work Permit: Work permits are available for expatriates and are typically employer-sponsored. More information can be found on the Immigration Department of Malaysia website.

Relocating: We recommend using AGS for a smooth relocation process to Kuala Lumpur. They offer comprehensive relocation services including visa assistance, home search, and settling-in services.

Employment Opportunities

Kuala Lumpur's main industries include finance, oil and gas, manufacturing, and IT. Here are some great local jobs that we found:

1. Technology Consultant at BCG

2. English Teacher at Oxbridge International School

3. Marketing Manager at Moneylion

4. Growth Manager at Grab

5. Account Manager at Microsoft

There are also many remote jobs particularly in tech where you can base yourself in KL:

1. APAC Partnerships Lead at Shopify

2. Software Engineer at Jeeves

3. Onboarding Director at Deel

4. Operations Manager at Gate.io

5. AI Software Engineer at Opaque Systems

Education and Healthcare

Education: Kuala Lumpur offers a range of educational institutions, from public schools to international universities. Emigrant children can enroll in state schools, but many prefer private schools, which cost between MYR 10,000 and MYR 50,000 per year (approximately $2,500 to $12,000). Recommended schools include International School of Kuala Lumpur and Garden International School.

Healthcare: The healthcare system is excellent, with numerous public and private hospitals providing quality care. State healthcare is available to residents, but many expatriates prefer private healthcare, which can cost between MYR 50 and MYR 200 per consultation (approximately $12 to $50). Recommended hospitals include Prince Court Medical Centre and Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur.