CHANGES TO MM2H PROGRAMME 2009

 Change No 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 has to be approved by the MM2H Special Committee; the contract must include the work schedule which cannot exceed 20 hours a week.

Note: The committee will apparently decide on a case by case basis if the work qualifies. Generally this will be based on the Committees view of the applying company’s ability to find a Malaysian to do the work.

Change No 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. 

Note: This basically means that any foreigner who sets up their own company in Malaysia can actively run the company and will not be required to get a work permit. Of course the investment must be properly approved and meet the existing FIC regulations. 

Change No 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.

Change No 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.

Change No 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.

Change No 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. 

Note: To begin with these are only available for the primary applicant. They have to be picked up in person at Immigration in Putrajaya.

Change No 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.

Change No 8. ‘Dependants’ now includes unmarried children aged 21 years and below, step-children, disabled children and parents.