Your Gateway to Malaysia Starts Here
Which Malaysia Residency Route Is Right for You?
As Southeast Asia continues to thrive, Malaysia stands out as a strategic hub for lifestyle, business, and long-term residency. With various visa options available,
it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. This guide compares the three most popular pathways—MM2H, PVIP, and Company Incorporation with Employment Pass (EP)—to help you make the smartest move. Whether you’re looking to retire comfortably, invest passively, or actively build a business, this comparison reveals why incorporating a company with an EP offers the most control, flexibility, and return on investment. Let’s explore your best path to living, working, and growing in Malaysia.
While MM2H and PVIP offer long-term stay and lifestyle benefits, they come with high capital requirements, passive conditions, and limited work rights.
In contrast, Incorporation + Employment Pass gives you:
As Southeast Asia continues to thrive, Malaysia stands out as a strategic hub for lifestyle, business, and long-term residency. With various visa options available,
it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. This guide compares the three most popular pathways—MM2H, PVIP, and Company Incorporation with Employment Pass (EP)—to help you make the smartest move. Whether you’re looking to retire comfortably, invest passively, or actively build a business, this comparison reveals why incorporating a company with an EP offers the most control, flexibility, and return on investment. Let’s explore your best path to living, working, and growing in Malaysia.
While MM2H and PVIP offer long-term stay and lifestyle benefits, they come with high capital requirements, passive conditions, and limited work rights.
In contrast, Incorporation + Employment Pass gives you:
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | MM2H | PVIP | Company + EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residency Type | Long-Term Social Visit Visa | Long-Term Residency Visa | Long-Term Residency and Employment Pass (Work Visa) |
| Main Purpose | Retirement / Lifestyle | Lifestyle + Light Business/Investment | Business Ownership + Active Operation |
| Business Activities | ❌ Limited / Not allowed in most tiers | ✅ Permitted (passive/ownership-based) | ✅ Fully Active (Operate, Hire, Trade) |
| Work Rights | ❌ Not allowed (except Gold/Platinum) | ✅ Allowed (within business law) | ✅ Fully allowed as Director/Employee |
| Minimum Investment / Capital | USD 32K–1M (FD + property) | RM1M (FD) + RM200K–300K (Fees) | ✅ No cash investments needed, only declared paid-up capital |
| Monthly Salary Requirement | ❌ Not applicable | ❌ RM40,000 offshore income | ✅ RM10,000/month (declared for EP) |
| Processing Time | 3–6 months | 6–9 months | 2–4 months (can be expedited) |
| Permit Validity | 5–20 years (Renewable) | 5+5+5+5 years (Up to 20 years) | 1–5 years (Renewable) |
| Family Inclusion | ✅ Spouse, kids, parents/in-laws | ✅ Spouse, kids, parents/in-laws, maid | ✅ Dependent passes available |
| Visa Fees & Servicing Costs | RM40K–70K+ (servicing only) | RM48K + RM200K (gov fees) + SST | RM10K–20K (est. for company incorporation + EP) |
| Feature | MM2H | PVIP | Company + EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residency Type | Long-Term Social Visit Visa | Long-Term Residency Visa | Long-Term Residency and Employment Pass (Work Visa) |
| Main Purpose | Retirement / Lifestyle | Lifestyle + Light Business/Investment | Business Ownership + Active Operation |
| Business Activities | ❌ Limited / Not allowed in most tiers | ✅ Permitted (passive/ownership-based) | ✅ Fully Active (Operate, Hire, Trade) |
| Work Rights | ❌ Not allowed (except Gold/Platinum) | ✅ Allowed (within business law) | ✅ Fully allowed as Director/Employee |
| Minimum Investment / Capital | USD 32K–1M (FD + property) | RM1M (FD) + RM200K–300K (Fees) | ✅ No cash investments needed, only declared paid-up capital |
| Monthly Salary Requirement | ❌ Not applicable | ❌ RM40,000 offshore income | ✅ RM10,000/month (declared for EP) |
| Processing Time | 3–6 months | 6–9 months | 2–4 months (can be expedited) |
| Permit Validity | 5–20 years (Renewable) | 5+5+5+5 years (Up to 20 years) | 1–5 years (Renewable) |
| Family Inclusion | ✅ Spouse, kids, parents/in-laws | ✅ Spouse, kids, parents/in-laws, maid | ✅ Dependent passes available |
| Visa Fees & Servicing Costs | RM40K–70K+ (servicing only) | RM48K + RM200K (gov fees) + SST | RM10K–20K (est. for company incorporation + EP) |
Why Incorporation with Employment Pass Is the Smarter Choice for Entrepreneurs
Why Incorporation with Employment Pass Is the Smarter Choice for Entrepreneurs
Setting up a company with an Employment Pass (EP) allows you to operate a 100% foreign-owned business legally under your own name—no need for nominee shareholders. Unlike other residency options like PVIP or MM2H, this route gives you full rights to work, hire staff, and conduct business locally and internationally. It’s a practical and empowering option for those seeking true control over their ventures in Malaysia.
One of the biggest advantages is the low capital requirement—there’s no need to lock away RM1 million in a fixed deposit. Your funds go straight into growing your business, not sitting idle. This structure also offers real scalability and tax benefits, making it ideal for consultants, agencies, freelancers, and digital startups. Moreover, compared to PVIP or MM2H, the company + EP route is faster to process and significantly more cost-effective.
This option is especially suitable for entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to run active business operations, foreigners looking for a strategic base in Southeast Asia, and founders launching startups, agencies, or service-based businesses. It also supports those exploring future pathways to Permanent Residency (PR) in Malaysia.
Setting up a company with an Employment Pass (EP) allows you to operate a 100% foreign-owned business legally under your own name—no need for nominee shareholders. Unlike other residency options like PVIP or MM2H, this route gives you full rights to work, hire staff, and conduct business locally and internationally. It’s a practical and empowering option for those seeking true control over their ventures in Malaysia.
One of the biggest advantages is the low capital requirement—there’s no need to lock away RM1 million in a fixed deposit. Your funds go straight into growing your business, not sitting idle. This structure also offers real scalability and tax benefits, making it ideal for consultants, agencies, freelancers, and digital startups. Moreover, compared to PVIP or MM2H, the company + EP route is faster to process and significantly more cost-effective.
This option is especially suitable for entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to run active business operations, foreigners looking for a strategic base in Southeast Asia, and founders launching startups, agencies, or service-based businesses. It also supports those exploring future pathways to Permanent Residency (PR) in Malaysia.
Final Verdict
| Criteria | Best Option |
|---|---|
| For Lifestyle / Retirement | MM2H or PVIP |
| For Passive Investment | PVIP |
| For Active Business | ✅ Company Incorporation + EP |
| For Budget & Speed | ✅ Company Incorporation + EP |
| For Work Rights & PR Path | ✅ Company Incorporation + EP |
| Criteria | Best Option |
|---|---|
| For Lifestyle / Retirement | MM2H or PVIP |
| For Passive Investment | PVIP |
| For Active Business | ✅ Company Incorporation + EP |
| For Budget & Speed | ✅ Company Incorporation + EP |
| For Work Rights & PR Path | ✅ Company Incorporation + EP |
Let’s Get You Started the Right Way
With our full-service support, we’ll guide you through every critical step of setting up your business and relocating smoothly to Malaysia. We’ll help you register your company, draft your employment contracts, and apply for your Employment Pass (EP). Our team will also advise you on key taxation and compliance matters to ensure you meet regulatory requirements from day one. If you’re bringing family, we’ll assist with dependent pass applications too—making the process seamless from start to finish.
With our full-service support, we’ll guide you through every critical step of setting up your business and relocating smoothly to Malaysia. We’ll help you register your company, draft your employment contracts, and apply for your Employment Pass (EP). Our team will also advise you on key taxation and compliance matters to ensure you meet regulatory requirements from day one. If you’re bringing family, we’ll assist with dependent pass applications too—making the process seamless from start to finish.
