Sabah MM2H, explained properly
RM 150,000 — the lowest deposit of any Malaysian visa, with no house to buy and 30 days a year. That's roughly USD 33,000, and effectively all of it comes back.
Sabah MM2H requirements in 2026
- RM 150,000 savings deposit for an individual.
- Income of RM 10,000 a month individually, or RM 15,000 for a family.
- 30 days a year in Sabah.
- No property purchase.
- Ten-year term.
Why this is the cheapest way in
Put the numbers side by side and the gap is stark.
| Sabah | Sarawak | MM2H Silver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tied up | ~USD 33,000 | ~USD 111,000 | ~USD 283,000 |
| Money you don't get back | ~USD 0 | ~USD 0 | ~USD 133,000 |
| Must buy a home? | No | No | RM 600,000 |
| Days a year | 30 | 30 | 90 if under 50 |
Silver ties up eight and a half times as much money, and roughly USD 133,000 of Silver's total is gone for good. On Sabah, essentially nothing is.
What Sabah is like
Kota Kinabalu is the main city, on the northern tip of Borneo. Some of the best diving in the world is on the doorstep, Mount Kinabalu is behind you, and the cost of living is meaningfully below Kuala Lumpur — a couple lives comfortably on around RM 4,500–7,000 a month. It's about two and a half hours to KL by air.
The honest version: it's a smaller place. Fewer international schools, more limited specialist healthcare, and a smaller expat community than Penang or KL. People fly to KL or Singapore for anything medically complicated.
The newest programme
Sabah MM2H launched in July 2024, so it has the shortest track record of the eight. That's not a reason to avoid it, but it does mean fewer people have been through the process and there's less accumulated experience to draw on. Expect to do more of your own homework.
Who it suits
Anyone who genuinely likes the idea of Borneo and wants to keep their capital liquid. If you can show RM 10,000 a month and you're not committed to the peninsula, this is the most capital-efficient way to live in Malaysia legally and long term. Nothing else comes close.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want KL or Penang. Look at Silver or Forest City.
- You can't show RM 10,000 a month. The income test is real, even though the deposit is small.
- You need a lot of school choice. The peninsula has far more.
Common questions
What are the Sabah MM2H requirements for 2026?
A RM 150,000 savings deposit for an individual, monthly income of RM 10,000 individually or RM 15,000 for a family, and a minimum stay of 30 days a year. The visa runs ten years and no property purchase is required, which makes it the lowest capital requirement of any Malaysian long-stay visa.
What is the cheapest way to live in Malaysia long term?
Sabah MM2H, at a RM 150,000 savings deposit with no property purchase and a 30 day annual stay. That is roughly USD 33,000 and effectively all of it is refundable. The trade-off is that you live in Sabah, on Borneo, rather than peninsular Malaysia.
What are the Sabah MM2H requirements?
A RM 150,000 savings deposit for an individual, monthly income of RM 10,000 individually or RM 15,000 for a family, and a minimum stay of 30 days a year. The visa runs for ten years and there is no property purchase requirement.
Is Sabah MM2H cheaper than Sarawak?
Yes, considerably. Sabah asks RM 150,000 against Sarawak's RM 500,000, and neither requires you to buy property. Sarawak has the longer track record and permits limited part time work within the state, while Sabah's programme only launched in July 2024.
Can I work on Sabah MM2H?
No. Sabah MM2H does not grant work rights. If you need to earn money in Malaysia, the Premium Visa Programme or MM2H Platinum are the options, and if you work online for clients overseas the DE Rantau pass is a far cheaper fit.
What is living in Kota Kinabalu like?
It is a smaller, more relaxed city than Kuala Lumpur, with excellent diving and mountains nearby and a cost of living around RM 4,500 to 7,000 a month for a couple. The trade-offs are fewer international schools, more limited specialist healthcare, and a smaller expat community, with people flying to KL or Singapore for complex medical care.
Checked in July 2026 against the official MM2H portal and state programme rules. Ringgit converted at USD 1 = RM 4.50, which moves. Rules change — check before you commit any money.