MALAYSIA My Second Home (MM2H) is being repackaged to attract more big spenders and experts in various fields.
The new policies approved by the cabinet will allow participants in the programme to take on contract jobs and dabble in business and investment. Under the old MM2H, this was not permitted.
The changes, which come into force next month will apply to those above 50 and they will be allowed to work only in critical sectors for 20 hours per week.
Among the sectors MM2H participants can work in are health, biotechnology, science, engineering and the oil and gas industry.
“The cabinet has decided to allow MM2H participants to work in these sectors because Malaysia lacks expertise in these areas,” an official told the New Straits Times.
The other guidelines in the programme remain the same, said the official.
The changes will be announced early next month by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The official said the changes are being made at the request of numerous MM2H participants who found that time lay heavy on their hands because they could not work.
“In this way we can also tap their talent and experience to benefit the country,” said the official.
Besides taking on contract jobs, MM2H participants will be allowed to do business and invest, a move aimed at stimulating the economy through foreign direct investment.
What this means is that MM2H applicants can run their own business, for example open a restaurant, or invest in various projects. They will, however, be subject to domestic regulations.
It is also understood that the MM2H programme will now be aimed at attracting quality applicants, but how this is to be done remains unclear at the moment.
The MM2H programme was relaunched in 2002, in a revamp of the Silver Hair programme that was set up in 1996.
More than 10,000 people have set up second homes mainly in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang under the programme.
Among these were British citizens, Nepalese, Japanese, Singaporeans and Bangladeshis.
“Many ambassadors who have served in the country end up applying for the programme when their stint here is over,” the official said.
By June Ramli
New Straits Times, 26th January 2009
UPDATED ON 13TH FEBRUARY 2009
In line with the Immigration Circular No. 6 of 2009, the following improvements have been made to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Programme, with effect from 13 February 2009:
1. Qualified MM2H participants aged 50 and above with specialised skills and expertise that are required in the critical sectors of the economy, are allowed to work not more than 20 hours per week.
The approval to work part-time is subject to the following conditions:
a) the application is approved by the MM2H Special Committee;
b) the work contract needs to state that the MM2H participant is working part time and to attach the work schedule; and
c) total number of hours of week does not exceed 20 hours.
2. MM2H participants are allowed to invest and actively participate in business, subject to existing Government policies, regulations and guidelines which are in force for the relevant sectors.
3. Foreign spouses of Malaysian nationals are eligible to apply for MM2H, subject to the terms and conditions of the MM2H programme. Alternatively, they have the option to apply for the Spouse Programme.
4. The ten-year Social Visit Pass is extended to all Silver Hair and MM2H participants who were previously approved under the five-year Social Visit Pass, subject to the validity of their passports.
5. Employment Pass holders who wish to participate in the MM2H programme are exempted from the “cooling off period” on the condition that their application to participate in MM2H programme is submitted 3 months before the expiry of the Employment Pass.
6. ID-Cards will be issued to MM2H participants with permanent address in Malaysia. This is validated by submitting the Sales and Purchase Agreement or Tenancy Agreement in Malaysia.
7. Age limit of unmarried dependent children is raised from 18 years to 21 years. A declaration stating that the child is unmarried and all expenses during the stay in Malaysia will be borne by the principal participant of the MM2H program is required.
8. ‘Dependants’ include unmarried children aged 21 years and below, step-children, disabled children and parents.
