The latest update on Sarawak visa: they have changed their rules. 30 days compulsory stay + RM 180000 (single) or RM 300000 (couple) fixed deposit in a Sarawak bank (even if you are above the age of 50). The worst part is that you are no longer allowed to live in West Malaysia with that visa (as stated in the letter of approval). If you are only interested in living in Sarawak, then its OK. But it is by no means a substitute for the retirement visa of West Malaysia if your goal is to spend the majority of time in a year in West Malaysia.
You are a wealth of helpful info Dan - thanks again! When the revamped MM2H rules were announced, I figured my retirement options for Malaysia were in the dust bin. This really helps clarify what's going on now and that it is still possible to enjoy retirement in this country without being a descendent of the Rockefellers.
Thank you for the maps (Sarawak). It really helps for those of us who are contemplating a country but do not have a comprehensive memory of the entire geography. Additionally, place names in a foreign language have little reference.
Yup, fortunately my awesome agent in Penang managed to get my MM2H application reinstated (approved Pre-Covid) and I got it all done recently in February. Penang was fabulous!!!!!
Good to know the options. Thanks for the research. At one point Malaysia was my first choice for early retirement but the changes and a lack of trust in Malaysia resulting from the changes have altered that. Good to know there are at least a few logical heads there and Sarawak (Kuching) is one of my favorite places in Malaysia anyhow. I am still exploring options in Europe now and am not quite ready to commit to anything but appreciate your explorations in the meantime. All the best. Hope you make it home for dinner sometime. :)
@@DrJohnnyJ Good thought. At some point I suppose I need a base of operations or three though. Still learning the adventure and enjoying the learning curve as I go along.
@@GUITARTIME2024 Not necessarily a step down, just a different pace of things from what I have seen. It is always an option. I am still exploring and learning. Thanks for the recommendation.
Good job and very valuable information for those who endure Kuching's/Sarawaks grueling climate. But the food there and elsewhere in Malaysia is unbeatable. Enjoy it!
Dan, I'm sure you are aware of the recent Sarawak MM2H changes. 30 day annual stay and no residing in West Malaysia ( Kuala Lumpur etc ). That's a much stricter requirement now. Malaysia is changing the rules frequently now ( not very stable ---> risk factor ).
According to a survey of English proficiency in SE Asia, Malaysia ranks almost as highly as the Philippines: 1. Singapore (10th globally with a score of 611) 2. Philippines (27th globally with a score of 562) 3. Malaysia (30th globally with a score of 547) 13. Vietnam (65th globally with a score of 473) 20. Thailand (89th globally with a score of 419) From the report: "In the region, the countries most proficient in English were Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China." By contrast, the Netherlands was #1 in the world, with an EPI (English Proficiency Index) of 663. Sweden has an EPI of 623. Both countries are ranked in the "Very High Proficiency" category, while the Philippines and Malaysia are in the "High Proficiency" category. Mexico, where a lot of Americans retire, is #93 in the world, with a very low EPI score of 436. And yet a lot of Americans get by in Mexico without being fluent in Spanish. Even in Scandinavia, I found that the older generation sometimes struggled a bit with English, and I expect the same is true in Asian countries. Young people learn English because it's the default international language. Another thing to note about the Philippines vs Malaysia: Internet penetration is 84% in Malaysia (84% of households have it) but it's only 43% in the Philippines.
I’ve lived in Singapore for a quarter century and made dozens of trips across the border into Malaysia. I have gotten by all this time just fine with English only - the thought doesn’t even cross my mind… English is a given.
@@joebidet2050 Even if a person in Malaysia does not speak English fluently, they all at least understand some. And despite some official numbers, in my personal opinion the English proficiency level of the younger generation in Malaysia is surprisingly good, better than Singapore.
Hi Dan I appreciate your good work. In addition to your info from a year ago on Sarawak. Minimum stay has been increased to 30 days. Financially, everything remains the same. What is often overlooked with all the information is the medical check that must be done in Sarawak Kuching. Always ask your agency for a detailed description of the medical Hi Dan I appreciate your good work. In addition to your info from a year ago on Sarawak. Minimum stay has been increased to 30 days. Financially, everything remains the same. What is often overlooked with all the information is the medical check that must be done in Sarawak Kuching. Always ask your agency for a detailed description of the medical first. If necessary, have a medical done in your home country first. This can save you a lot of money, a trip and disappointment. Because if you have something wrong that is on the medical list, you will be rejected without mercy.
I am glad that the Malaysian government revised their MM2H requirements. If you consider the POV of a local Malaysian, this will filter out trashy expats who just want to live in Malaysia and take advantage of the lower cost of living (including healthcare) and making it cost prohibitive for local Malaysians. So this is a good thing that not anyone are now able to live in the country or own assets unless they can meet these new MM2H requirements.
precisely. new mm2h requirements are great, and should be revised upwards each year. the last thing we need are losers flooding this country. skint pensioners are worse than mat rempit.
For retirees who enjoy driving, Malaysia and Singapore are the only two countries in SE Asia that don’t require any special skills. In Malaysia only local brands like Proton are affordable. I usually rent a Proton when I visit Malaysia. The taxis in Malaysia don’t drive safely and don’t like to use the meter, so I much prefer to drive myself.
This is great information Dan ... before I was only looking at Indonesia ... my pension is 3,000 baht short per month to meet Thailand's Retirement Visa pension requirement.
Nice clip... I always enjoy watching your work. I live in Malaysia and sometimes words are misunderstood due to the language differences. You might consider renaming the clip "Retirement Visa Alternative for Malaysia". Using the term "trick" seems to put forward an intent to "deceive". This is shown in the Cambridge Dictionary definition as follows: Trick (noun) - an action that is intended to deceive, either as a way of cheating someone, or as a joke or form of entertainment. When dealing with the government authorities I've found it is best not to cause confusion with words that could cause misunderstandings.
This is a very informative video Dan! Did you make a tour around video in Sarawak showing living conditions? By the way, the last time I was in KL was 20 years ago and a lot of dust and construction. I guess a lot of that should be done by now.
From the videos I've seen the foods look incredible and the people seem friendly. They speak English and have top of the line health care. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for another beautiful episode. Safe travel! Would you please let us know how you find cheap trans continental airline tickets in the age of oil inflation?
Not sure we will retire in SE Asia, but if we wanted to, seems like I might live in the Philippines and go visit The rest of SE Asia on tourist visas or just constantly bounce slowly in a loop to all of the countries there. Could you do like 3 months in each on a loop ? We are currently dealing with Mexico immigration and getting temp residency visas because of their tourist visa changes. We hope Mexico will be our retirement starting point next year. Thx for all you do, we love your videos !
Dan, thanks for the video. I'd planned to apply for MM2H when I retire in early 2023 and was so disappointed when they issued the new guidelines. Like others, I basically gave up and started looking at Thailand, Portugal and other places instead but really wanted to make Malaysia my home base and am planning to move forward again with the Sarawak option. Hopefully by then the backlog will be caught up!
Mexico has recently updated its permanent residence requirements to some ridiculous amounts of savings you must have in the bank. Re: Permanent Residency: Monthly income of at least US$4,550 over the last 6 months (some consulates request 12 months); or savings balance of at least US$182,000 over the last 12 months.
Great summary Dan! I'd like to spend time in Malaysia, but not full-time. You make a good point of saying KL is an ideal base - with plentiful and affordable flights. What is the recommended gap for making a Visa run when you reach your 90 day limit? A month???
If I am taking the time to do a visa run, I usually stay for a week or two just for a change of pace. But some people go much shorter. But I would worry if I did a 'walk out walk back in', what the immigration official would do.
Thank you Dan, you have given me a great alternative to Thailand for the visa. I have always enjoyed KL and feeling stable for 5 years, it would definitely be a welcoming feature. I know that in Thailand, you used to be able to show proof of a pension based on a letter from the US Embassy, but since they stopped supplying them, you now have to deposit at least $2,500 in a Thai bank. Would you know what the rules are there? Thank you both.🙏🏼
For 2022 the average social security check is actually $1614. Also should be noted that a lot of people take the checks extremely early. Around 62 or 63 which brings down the monthly check they receive and lowers the average number also.
I am surprised there are different visa requirements for the same country? Seems the government might react to this if the mainland gets upset over retirees staying in Western Malaysia without going through their system.
Hey Dan & Qiang nice to see you both very good video on what I think is one of the best countries in the world to live or just visit and the Malaysian women are the most beautiful in this world ,Singapore women come second in beauty ☺( it's really true ) go and see for yourselves .
Thanks Dan. Currently in Colombia. Malaysia is probably next and one of the top of my list. Question? What's your take on East African Commuity: Kenya, Ruanda, Tanzania (& Zanzibar)? EAC seems a good spot, but Tanzania has migration issues, Kenya corruption issues, and so forth. What say you on the EAC? I am a subscriber/member. Jim
For healthcare - if you have local (Malaysian) insurance healthcare, it is highly regulated by our Ministry of Health, Malaysian Medical Association and their TPAs (Third party administration).
@@peterfischer7084Apply to all Malaysian health insurance. We do not have public health insurance (not yet anyway) but the charges are way cheaper than in private due to it is highly subsidized.
I recommend going to Facebook expats pages and asking for someone that has had actual experience with a specific agent. Be careful. I would probably do it myself.
So can you retire there on a tourist Visa? Does the retirement Visa Give any advantages over a tourist Visa? Maybe, I would rather not tie up so much of my money in their Banking system. Yeah, it's a trust issue,
Visa runs are strictly prohibited by Malaysia and visa extensions are highly limited, so it’s not a viable option. However, with 90 day visa free, at least initially they are quite generous. There are some international banks operating in Malaysia, Standard Chartered from the UK is a solid choice, HSBC and Singaporean banks operate there as well, Citibank in Malaysia was recently purchased by UOB-Singapore.
I spent most of the first year in Malaysia when I was getting to know Qiang. They would give me 90 days every time I entered and I would just fly out every 90 days and spend a few weeks in another SE Asia country before flying back and getting another 90 days. I would usually be outside Malaysia for a week or two, sometimes more than a month.
We are so ready to move to Sarawak . But it’s all changed now . We found out 2 days ago . So sad our dreams been shattered by the new rules. Is there another way?
Thanks for the tip. It looks like they changed the "OR" to an "AND" as shown below: Applicants should be 50 or older and meet the following financial conditions (younger applicants who meet certain additional conditions (see below) can also apply. Receive an income of over RM7000 a month ($1667 USD) from a salary, pension or rental income. (RM10,000 for a couple ($2223 USD)) "and" (this used to be "OR") Place a fixed deposit in a local bank of RM150,000 ($33,000 USD) and RM300,000 ($66,000 USD) for a couple. Source: www.mm2h.com/sarawak-mm2h-s-mm2h/ Changed: Sept 2022.
So sorry to hear you have to change plans how. :-/ You could either (1) fullfill both requirements of the "and", or (2) do visa runs every 90 days like I did the first few years when I was spending a bunch of time there, or (3) become slow travelers and wait until you find a perfect country that wants you as much as you want them? That would be true mutual love. More on that here: czcams.com/video/pZynsD9I51s/video.html
I wonder if you can clear up a question I have regarding the monthly income requirement - if you don’t mind. I have fixed liquid assets far exceeding the necessary requirements but my income ( as I’m retired) is lower than the required amount. So would my large fixed monetary amount make up for my less than required monthly income? Enjoy your blogs and you have convinced me that Malaysia ( or Sarawak) is definitely worth looking at for a retirement place.
Maybe 🇲🇾 govt trying out to prosper Sarawak for this program and remake a higher criteria for Peninsular 🇲🇾 as the amount of expatriates retirees is very high not only from Western countries , even Singaporean is coming to 🇲🇾 bcos of 3+ times the currency difference. It may be a control system and divert applicants to Sarawak for 2023. Glad that 🇲🇾 is much sought after in this 🌏
No. If you are from a favored nation (USA, Europe, etc.) you can enter Malaysia visa free for 90 days and then apply. But read a change made to the requirements posted last week. www.mm2h.com/sarawak-mm2h-s-mm2h/
It is a beautiful country. That is the niche for this channel. I do a report every year on the top 15 places in the entire world to retire cheap in paradise, Here is my most recent report and video on that topic: vagabondbuddha.com/top-15-places-in-entire-world-to-retire-early-cheap-in-2022/ Thanks for watching and commenting, Dan
Thank you Dan, great information! I was wondering if Malaysia Retirement visa require you to buy Malaysian health Insurance? I have health insurance in the USA so I do not want to be forced to buy health insurance that I do not need especially at my age of 70 it would be very expensive. I already have USA Medicare A and B plus military disability so I can use USA VA hospitals and also military Tricare at excellent hospitals. I am in Thailand now and they now require health insurance but unfortunately they do not accept Medicare and my VA coverage or Tricare so I am looking at possibly retiring in another country. Thanks again
I do not recall James. But they change visa rules parodically so you would need to check now anyway. Just Google "Sarawak Retirement Visa Requirements."
That seems kind of silly that one of the country's states has the older, more moderate regulations/rules than another for retirement. Perhaps KL is getting too 'full' of retirees? From a high level, it seems to me that Malaysia has much better infrastructure, than, say, The Philippines, yet equivalent cost of living? I wonder why one might lean heavier to choosing one over the other.
We lived almost 12 years in Puerto Rico. Beautiful country, kind people. Their infrastructure sucks. Everyone has a backup water tank on their roof. Holiday weekend? Count on the power grid being overwhelmed and sitting without fans or AC. That gets old, fast. Better infrastructure ranks high on our list. There are some amazing foods in PR and the Philippines, but there’s also a reason why you don’t see a ton these restaurants like you see Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, etc. So if you’re a foodie, the variety, quantity, and quality in Malaysia (plus the affordability) far surpasses the options in the Philippines and almost everywhere else. But, different strokes for different folks. There is no “one size fits all” retirement place. If your heart feels best in the Philippines, follow your heart, by all means. Dan is just helping us all make informed choices that work best for each of us. Thanks Dan and Qiang. Happy travels and retirement to all.
The Philippines being predominantly Christian and English speaking along with lower resident permit requirements are likely at least 3 reasons many would choose the Philippines.
@@pvmoore1154 English is commonly spoken in Malaysia, too. Yes, the Philippines has a very easy visa. It sounds like a good fit for you. Wishing you a happy retirement, wherever you end up settling!
A good thing for whites who live in malaysia .. train your child to be fluent in malay then when he/she grows up he/she can make a lot of money easily like becoming an artist, model and so on in the entertainment field
DAN ... You never gave us the name of the 13 dollar a night condo building ... how can we take advantage of the good price if we don't know the name of the condo ?? I wanted to look it up and see the current rates . i am planning a two week trip there and i wanted to see the rates of the units available now . What is the name of the condo ?
Dan, thanks for the video. I live in Canada so when you say "high taxes on liquor" is that compared to the US or other Asian countries? We have extremely high taxes, on all spirits, in Canada, so I am curious what it is compared to. Thanks
Can I land in Kuala Lumpur the go to the Island to apply for a Visa There please.. or what's the BEST way to engage the process..???? Thank you man.. I can't believe I totally qualify next year I turn 50..!!!
When did you get your MM2H? I thought you just moved coutnries after a few months... I like Singapore, but they don't like me.🤣 Singapore does not like idle retired folk... Will have to go back to Kuching and revisit.
Hi Dan i want to be clear so am 40 years old,i show $75,000 for me and my husband, enroll our children in school, show monthly income of $1750 i can actually apply?
One of my favorite SE Asian countries! Asked the wife "lets spend a month in KL and a month in Penang". Her response: "too hot!" 🤣🤣 oh well... Americans are so spoiled because the country spans all climates. We live in N. CA and have the perfect range of temps...hard to get the wife to move...
Most people adapt easily to hot and humid climate while some may find it difficult. There are also those who prefer hot climates over the cold winters.
@@VagabondAwake I read that the Sarawak mm2h loophole may not last for long as it defeats the purpose of the federal changes to the mm2h. If so it's no longer an option for me
I dont understand.life is great cheap.and they are so crazy asking so much money for visa retirment its so disgusting. 8000 eu monthly !!!!are they crazy ????
I have been living in Thailand for 12 years, after all these years, I am getting tired why? Language is the biggest problem, then culture, and thai people are mostly lazy, and the food sucks, no much variety, there are only 2 food paradise in the world, Singapore and Malaysia, so I am preparing to relocate to Malaysia, do you have a video how and where to look for decent girls to get married in Malaysia, I think they are better than thai girls.
@@VagabondAwake Ok. I checked the Malaysian Visa website and it says maximum 30 days visa for tourist visa, do you have any idea how to get like 90 days stay in Malaysia and how did you stay longer than 30 days? Thanks.
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The latest update on Sarawak visa: they have changed their rules. 30 days compulsory stay + RM 180000 (single) or RM 300000 (couple) fixed deposit in a Sarawak bank (even if you are above the age of 50). The worst part is that you are no longer allowed to live in West Malaysia with that visa (as stated in the letter of approval). If you are only interested in living in Sarawak, then its OK. But it is by no means a substitute for the retirement visa of West Malaysia if your goal is to spend the majority of time in a year in West Malaysia.
These people are Nuts why So expensive and Hard average people won’t be able to
You are correct. The video should be replaced with updated information
You are a wealth of helpful info Dan - thanks again! When the revamped MM2H rules were announced, I figured my retirement options for Malaysia were in the dust bin. This really helps clarify what's going on now and that it is still possible to enjoy retirement in this country without being a descendent of the Rockefellers.
Thank you for the maps (Sarawak).
It really helps for those of us who are contemplating a country but do not have a comprehensive memory of the entire geography.
Additionally, place names in a foreign language have little reference.
Thanks Vagabond for the helpful informaition. The 7th reason for retiring in Malaysia - They speak English.
Yup, fortunately my awesome agent in Penang managed to get my MM2H application reinstated (approved Pre-Covid) and I got it all done recently in February. Penang was fabulous!!!!!
Most importanly, no blackouts, fast internet
Power grid in the US is falling apart. Just ask the folks in Texas. If I stay in the US, I'm getting my own generator.
*Welcome to Malaysia Truly Asia Good foods Enjoyed Thanks for Very good videos*
🇲🇾💝❤️💖💗💕🤩😍🥰💗❤️💖💝💕🥰💝🇲🇾
Good to know the options. Thanks for the research. At one point Malaysia was my first choice for early retirement but the changes and a lack of trust in Malaysia resulting from the changes have altered that. Good to know there are at least a few logical heads there and Sarawak (Kuching) is one of my favorite places in Malaysia anyhow. I am still exploring options in Europe now and am not quite ready to commit to anything but appreciate your explorations in the meantime. All the best. Hope you make it home for dinner sometime. :)
One tip from a fifth-generation expat: don't commit.
@@DrJohnnyJ Good thought. At some point I suppose I need a base of operations or three though. Still learning the adventure and enjoying the learning curve as I go along.
@@GUITARTIME2024 Not necessarily a step down, just a different pace of things from what I have seen. It is always an option. I am still exploring and learning. Thanks for the recommendation.
Good job and very valuable information for those who endure Kuching's/Sarawaks grueling climate. But the food there and elsewhere in Malaysia is unbeatable. Enjoy it!
Remember, their visa program only requires you to spend 15 days per year in Sarawak!
@@pamsmith6998 Thanks for the clarification and addition!
Thanks for the tips!
Dan, I'm sure you are aware of the recent Sarawak MM2H changes. 30 day annual stay and no residing in West Malaysia ( Kuala Lumpur etc ). That's a much stricter requirement now. Malaysia is changing the rules frequently now ( not very stable ---> risk factor ).
I will be updating this fairly soon. New prime minister too.
@@VagabondAwake Please do. Can't wait to see your update.
Does the no residing in west Malaysia rule include Penang?
@@hongwangusa Yes I think so. At least that's my understanding of what West Malaysia means.
@@Vitam2047 thanks. So there is no easy , cheap way to reside in Malaysia anymore? How about open up a company?
According to a survey of English proficiency in SE Asia, Malaysia ranks almost as highly as the Philippines:
1. Singapore (10th globally with a score of 611)
2. Philippines (27th globally with a score of 562)
3. Malaysia (30th globally with a score of 547)
13. Vietnam (65th globally with a score of 473)
20. Thailand (89th globally with a score of 419)
From the report: "In the region, the countries most proficient in English were Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China."
By contrast, the Netherlands was #1 in the world, with an EPI (English Proficiency Index) of 663. Sweden has an EPI of 623. Both countries are ranked in the "Very High Proficiency" category, while the Philippines and Malaysia are in the "High Proficiency" category.
Mexico, where a lot of Americans retire, is #93 in the world, with a very low EPI score of 436. And yet a lot of Americans get by in Mexico without being fluent in Spanish.
Even in Scandinavia, I found that the older generation sometimes struggled a bit with English, and I expect the same is true in Asian countries. Young people learn English because it's the default international language.
Another thing to note about the Philippines vs Malaysia: Internet penetration is 84% in Malaysia (84% of households have it) but it's only 43% in the Philippines.
I’ve lived in Singapore for a quarter century and made dozens of trips across the border into Malaysia. I have gotten by all this time just fine with English only - the thought doesn’t even cross my mind… English is a given.
I've been to Malaysia many times
Everyone I met spoke proper English
@@joebidet2050 Even if a person in Malaysia does not speak English fluently, they all at least understand some. And despite some official numbers, in my personal opinion the English proficiency level of the younger generation in Malaysia is surprisingly good, better than Singapore.
@@krollpeter I've never met a Malaysian who did not speak English
Some more proficient than me
I have been on MM2h for 9 years and it’s great 👍 I’m from the US and the health care is fantastic
How did you get that?
Hi Dan I appreciate your good work. In addition to your info from a year ago on Sarawak. Minimum stay has been increased to 30 days. Financially, everything remains the same. What is often overlooked with all the information is the medical check that must be done in Sarawak Kuching. Always ask your agency for a detailed description of the medical Hi Dan I appreciate your good work. In addition to your info from a year ago on Sarawak. Minimum stay has been increased to 30 days. Financially, everything remains the same. What is often overlooked with all the information is the medical check that must be done in Sarawak Kuching. Always ask your agency for a detailed description of the medical first. If necessary, have a medical done in your home country first. This can save you a lot of money, a trip and disappointment. Because if you have something wrong that is on the medical list, you will be rejected without mercy.
I am glad that the Malaysian government revised their MM2H requirements. If you consider the POV of a local Malaysian, this will filter out trashy expats who just want to live in Malaysia and take advantage of the lower cost of living (including healthcare) and making it cost prohibitive for local Malaysians. So this is a good thing that not anyone are now able to live in the country or own assets unless they can meet these new MM2H requirements.
They are changing soon again. Stay tuned.
precisely. new mm2h requirements are great, and should be revised upwards each year. the last thing we need are losers flooding this country. skint pensioners are worse than mat rempit.
Nice reel team… I lived in Langkawi for 4 years,prior to Immigration kicking out all expats mid covid- I miss my playground…cheers Daz
For retirees who enjoy driving, Malaysia and Singapore are the only two countries in SE Asia that don’t require any special skills. In Malaysia only local brands like Proton are affordable. I usually rent a Proton when I visit Malaysia. The taxis in Malaysia don’t drive safely and don’t like to use the meter, so I much prefer to drive myself.
You have Grab Car in Malaysia, something like Uber in US. Its super easy and very convinient
There is only proton and Lamborghini here .
This is great information Dan ... before I was only looking at Indonesia ... my pension is 3,000 baht short per month to meet Thailand's Retirement Visa pension requirement.
The Philippines are easiest of all in that regard. Just renew your monthly tourist visa 36 times for $30 before you have to do a visa run.
Great video. Thank you!
You are welcome!
Great piece in information. I'm putting together a trip to Sabah in the fall and now have reason to include a side trip to Sarawak.
Nice clip... I always enjoy watching your work.
I live in Malaysia and sometimes words are misunderstood due to the language differences. You might consider renaming the clip "Retirement Visa Alternative for Malaysia".
Using the term "trick" seems to put forward an intent to "deceive". This is shown in the Cambridge Dictionary definition as follows:
Trick (noun) - an action that is intended to deceive, either as a way of cheating someone, or as a joke or form of entertainment.
When dealing with the government authorities I've found it is best not to cause confusion with words that could cause misunderstandings.
The above comment is correct! Trick is misleading
The above comment is correct! Trick is misleading
This is a very informative video Dan! Did you make a tour around video in Sarawak showing living conditions? By the way, the last time I was in KL was 20 years ago and a lot of dust and construction. I guess a lot of that should be done by now.
I have been to the Borneo side of Malaysia but not Sarawak yet. Stay tuned
From the videos I've seen the foods look incredible and the people seem friendly. They speak English and have top of the line health care. Thanks for the video.
Good to know. Have you videos of Sarawak,and what were your impressions of it?
I have been to the Borneo side of Malaysia but not Sarawak yet. Stay tuned.
Thank you for another beautiful episode. Safe travel! Would you please let us know how you find cheap trans continental airline tickets in the age of oil inflation?
Skyscanner.net. Just keep hunting Mark.
Great information Dan ! Thank you.
Thanks, Dan. Fantastic advise to overcome the MM2H!
Hi Dan, thank you for just another great video.
Thanks. I am in the process of waiting for approval from Sarawak MM2H.
Submitted my application in March 🤞
Great 👍
Was this a simple process? Did you do this by yourself or do you have to use an agent?
@@edwardaustin6410 I am using an agent in Penang who then collaborates with agent in Sarawak 🤞
@@sawbeeang7385 are you able to share the cost? Feel free to send by email
@@edwardaustin6410 sure about rm 10k roughly. Paid half so waiting to hear if successful.
Excellent info. Thanks again, much appreciated!
Let's hear about any possible tax obligations for retirees who meet these requirements. Thank you!
Not sure we will retire in SE Asia, but if we wanted to, seems like I might live in the Philippines and go visit The rest of SE Asia on tourist visas or just constantly bounce slowly in a loop to all of the countries there. Could you do like 3 months in each on a loop ?
We are currently dealing with Mexico immigration and getting temp residency visas because of their tourist visa changes. We hope Mexico will be our retirement starting point next year.
Thx for all you do, we love your videos !
Yes, here is my video on that topic: vagabondbuddha.com/how-to-retire-on-a-tourist-visa/
I arrive Manila May 17…. I looked for the Makati Extension Office and it is PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
Moved
It was moved a few kilometers away to the Ayala Malls Circuit.
Thx as always Dan and Qiang👍
Malaysian pros
6. Infrastructure: agreed
5. Healthcare: agreed
4. Travel cost: agreed
3.: Food: agreed
2. Safety: agreed
1. Cost of living: agreed
Dan, thanks for the video. I'd planned to apply for MM2H when I retire in early 2023 and was so disappointed when they issued the new guidelines. Like others, I basically gave up and started looking at Thailand, Portugal and other places instead but really wanted to make Malaysia my home base and am planning to move forward again with the Sarawak option. Hopefully by then the backlog will be caught up!
Another fantastic video. Thank you.
Mexico has recently updated its permanent residence requirements to some ridiculous amounts of savings you must have in the bank.
Re: Permanent Residency: Monthly income of at least US$4,550 over the last 6 months (some consulates request 12 months); or savings balance of at least US$182,000 over the last 12 months.
Thanks for sharing.
Great summary Dan! I'd like to spend time in Malaysia, but not full-time. You make a good point of saying KL is an ideal base - with plentiful and affordable flights. What is the recommended gap for making a Visa run when you reach your 90 day limit? A month???
If I am taking the time to do a visa run, I usually stay for a week or two just for a change of pace. But some people go much shorter. But I would worry if I did a 'walk out walk back in', what the immigration official would do.
Thank you Dan, you have given me a great alternative to Thailand for the visa. I have always enjoyed KL and feeling stable for 5 years, it would definitely be a welcoming feature.
I know that in Thailand, you used to be able to show proof of a pension based on a letter from the US Embassy, but since they stopped supplying them, you now have to deposit at least $2,500 in a Thai bank. Would you know what the rules are there? Thank you both.🙏🏼
I do not know the process well. I would just contact Sarawak and start asking questions. :-)
Average Social Security check is just over $1500/month. Even Sarawak is too expensive.
For 2022 the average social security check is actually $1614. Also should be noted that a lot of people take the checks extremely early. Around 62 or 63 which brings down the monthly check they receive and lowers the average number also.
I am surprised there are different visa requirements for the same country? Seems the government might react to this if the mainland gets upset over retirees staying in Western Malaysia without going through their system.
Look into the history of Malaysia and the terms of their independence from the British.
Sarawak is one of the 13 state in Malaysia. They have a special right on immigration policy. They joined Malaysia with term and condition since 1965.
Yes, the rules are different based upon the constitution as stated bt Daniel and Toredi. :-)
I heard a rumour that they might be extending the requirement to stay in Sarawak to 30 days, anyone know if this is true?
Hey Dan & Qiang nice to see you both very good video on what I think is one of the best countries in the world to live or just visit and the Malaysian women are the most beautiful in this world ,Singapore women come second in beauty ☺( it's really true ) go and see for yourselves .
Thanks Dan and Qiang!! Great info! Can that pension be from 401k and/or IRA funds? Thanks!
Yes, as far as I know.
Thank you ...i got very useful information.
Thanks Dan. Currently in Colombia. Malaysia is probably next and one of the top of my list. Question? What's your take on East African Commuity: Kenya, Ruanda, Tanzania (& Zanzibar)? EAC seems a good spot, but Tanzania has migration issues, Kenya corruption issues, and so forth. What say you on the EAC? I am a subscriber/member. Jim
I have only spent time in Egypt, S. Africa, and Morocco.
Thanks for this. I intend to apply for this visa in 18 months time and retire there from the UK.
One of the top reasons for Americans/British would be English spoken.
Hey Dan, what is the initial visa requirements for US passport holder in Malaysia?
For healthcare - if you have local (Malaysian) insurance healthcare, it is highly regulated by our Ministry of Health, Malaysian Medical Association and their TPAs (Third party administration).
Does that apply to all Malaysian health insurance or just to public health insurance ( if there is such a thing)?
@@peterfischer7084Apply to all Malaysian health insurance. We do not have public health insurance (not yet anyway) but the charges are way cheaper than in private due to it is highly subsidized.
Thank you so much ! To move from US and idea how I could get there with my pets ( 2 dogs / 1 cat ) Blessing .
More on that when I update this video. Rules have changer again!
Great Video...Thank you....
Any suggestions for agents to process the Sarawak visa?
I recommend going to Facebook expats pages and asking for someone that has had actual experience with a specific agent. Be careful. I would probably do it myself.
So can you retire there on a tourist Visa? Does the retirement Visa Give any advantages over a tourist Visa? Maybe, I would rather not tie up so much of my money in their Banking system. Yeah, it's a trust issue,
Visa runs are strictly prohibited by Malaysia and visa extensions are highly limited, so it’s not a viable option. However, with 90 day visa free, at least initially they are quite generous.
There are some international banks operating in Malaysia, Standard Chartered from the UK is a solid choice, HSBC and Singaporean banks operate there as well, Citibank in Malaysia was recently purchased by UOB-Singapore.
I spent most of the first year in Malaysia when I was getting to know Qiang. They would give me 90 days every time I entered and I would just fly out every 90 days and spend a few weeks in another SE Asia country before flying back and getting another 90 days. I would usually be outside Malaysia for a week or two, sometimes more than a month.
@@VagabondAwake thanks. Precisely answered the question on my mind. That's what I'm planning to do.
We are so ready to move to Sarawak . But it’s all changed now . We found out 2 days ago . So sad our dreams been shattered by the new rules. Is there another way?
Thanks for the tip. It looks like they changed the "OR" to an "AND" as shown below:
Applicants should be 50 or older and meet the following financial conditions (younger applicants who meet certain additional conditions (see below) can also apply. Receive an income of over RM7000 a month ($1667 USD) from a salary, pension or rental income. (RM10,000 for a couple ($2223 USD))
"and" (this used to be "OR")
Place a fixed deposit in a local bank of RM150,000 ($33,000 USD) and RM300,000 ($66,000 USD) for a couple.
Source: www.mm2h.com/sarawak-mm2h-s-mm2h/
Changed: Sept 2022.
So sorry to hear you have to change plans how. :-/ You could either (1) fullfill both requirements of the "and", or (2) do visa runs every 90 days like I did the first few years when I was spending a bunch of time there, or (3) become slow travelers and wait until you find a perfect country that wants you as much as you want them? That would be true mutual love. More on that here: czcams.com/video/pZynsD9I51s/video.html
Thank you Sir! Do you have an updated requirements video yet?
Rumors are the new rules come out next week.
@@VagabondAwake Thanks... I'll be watching
I wonder if you can clear up a question I have regarding the monthly income requirement - if you don’t mind. I have fixed liquid assets far exceeding the necessary requirements but my income ( as I’m retired) is lower than the required amount.
So would my large fixed monetary amount make up for my less than required monthly income?
Enjoy your blogs and you have convinced me that Malaysia ( or Sarawak) is definitely worth looking at for a retirement place.
@arnemcradu6499 forget all he said , look in comments there have been changes ( for the worst) to much to type, it sucks !!
Maybe 🇲🇾 govt trying out to prosper Sarawak for this program and remake a higher criteria for Peninsular 🇲🇾 as the amount of expatriates retirees is very high not only from Western countries , even Singaporean is coming to 🇲🇾 bcos of 3+ times the currency difference. It may be a control system and divert applicants to Sarawak for 2023. Glad that 🇲🇾 is much sought after in this 🌏
Dan, thanks for your information. Do I have to enter Malaysia with visa before Sarawak entry or can I get separate Sarawak visa? Thanks. Ian..
No. If you are from a favored nation (USA, Europe, etc.) you can enter Malaysia visa free for 90 days and then apply. But read a change made to the requirements posted last week. www.mm2h.com/sarawak-mm2h-s-mm2h/
Comment: why you need to retire in malaysia
It is a beautiful country. That is the niche for this channel. I do a report every year on the top 15 places in the entire world to retire cheap in paradise, Here is my most recent report and video on that topic:
vagabondbuddha.com/top-15-places-in-entire-world-to-retire-early-cheap-in-2022/
Thanks for watching and commenting,
Dan
Thank you Dan, great information! I was wondering if Malaysia Retirement visa require you to buy Malaysian health Insurance? I have health insurance in the USA so I do not want to be forced to buy health insurance that I do not need especially at my age of 70 it would be very expensive. I already have USA Medicare A and B plus military disability so I can use USA VA hospitals and also military Tricare at excellent hospitals. I am in Thailand now and they now require health insurance but unfortunately they do not accept Medicare and my VA coverage or Tricare so I am looking at possibly retiring in another country. Thanks again
I do not recall James. But they change visa rules parodically so you would need to check now anyway. Just Google "Sarawak Retirement Visa Requirements."
With a retirement "O" visa you will not asked for health insurance in Thailand...
DUDE..!!!!!! THANK YOU..!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Dan. Would you able to share details on how to apply for a Sarawak MM2H? Did you need to use an agency to help with the process?
I have not applied for one yet. I would probably do it myself though.
That seems kind of silly that one of the country's states has the older, more moderate regulations/rules than another for retirement. Perhaps KL is getting too 'full' of retirees? From a high level, it seems to me that Malaysia has much better infrastructure, than, say, The Philippines, yet equivalent cost of living? I wonder why one might lean heavier to choosing one over the other.
We lived almost 12 years in Puerto Rico. Beautiful country, kind people. Their infrastructure sucks. Everyone has a backup water tank on their roof. Holiday weekend? Count on the power grid being overwhelmed and sitting without fans or AC. That gets old, fast. Better infrastructure ranks high on our list. There are some amazing foods in PR and the Philippines, but there’s also a reason why you don’t see a ton these restaurants like you see Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, etc. So if you’re a foodie, the variety, quantity, and quality in Malaysia (plus the affordability) far surpasses the options in the Philippines and almost everywhere else. But, different strokes for different folks. There is no “one size fits all” retirement place. If your heart feels best in the Philippines, follow your heart, by all means. Dan is just helping us all make informed choices that work best for each of us. Thanks Dan and Qiang. Happy travels and retirement to all.
The Philippines being predominantly Christian and English speaking along with lower resident permit requirements are likely at least 3 reasons many would choose the Philippines.
@@pamsmith6998 Thank you, Pam, I agree. Decades ago, I spent a year on Guam as a 7th grader. Infrastructure issues really stood out in my memory!
@@pvmoore1154 Ah, thank you PV
@@pvmoore1154 English is commonly spoken in Malaysia, too. Yes, the Philippines has a very easy visa. It sounds like a good fit for you. Wishing you a happy retirement, wherever you end up settling!
A good thing for whites who live in malaysia .. train your child to be fluent in malay then when he/she grows up he/she can make a lot of money easily like becoming an artist, model and so on in the entertainment field
Hey there,
Thanks for the video. Where is the contact information to help with applying for the mm2h
This is out of date. Surawak now requires retirees to live there and only holidays are permitted to West Malaysia
Thanks for sharing. Updates on all three soon: Mainland Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah. :-)
Do you know an agent for us to retire in Malaysia we want to buy there. Thank you. We love you guys!
Sorry, I don't know one personally. I would just go to the Malaysia expat facebook pages and ask the expats for the name of one.
Another huge advantage is English
DAN ... You never gave us the name of the 13 dollar a night condo building ... how can we take advantage of the good price if we don't know the name of the condo ?? I wanted to look it up and see the current rates . i am planning a two week trip there and i wanted to see the rates of the units available now . What is the name of the condo ?
That was during the pandemic The project is called the elements of Ampang in Kuala Lumpur.
Dan, thanks for the video. I live in Canada so when you say "high taxes on liquor" is that compared to the US or other Asian countries? We have extremely high taxes, on all spirits, in Canada, so I am curious what it is compared to. Thanks
Ply not as high as Canada.. I lived on the border and am quite familiar with the prices, the $6 beer that's $2 across the US border.
Dan compare it to other southeast Asian country like Thailand, filiphine, Indonesia and Vietnam but not as high as in Canada
It has been 16 years since I bought a beer in Canada. A beer is $4 in Malaysia versus $1 in Thailand, etc.,
@@VagabondAwake Sounds like we need a beer index by country. Kind of important to some l'd think.
@@michaelg6641 economist magazine
Has big mac index
😆🤣😂
Can I land in Kuala Lumpur the go to the Island to apply for a Visa There please.. or what's the BEST way to engage the process..????
Thank you man.. I can't believe I totally qualify next year I turn 50..!!!
Google Visa Agent for Malaysia and start a dialogue. The rules change all the time there.
$10k per month on retirement life? That is so ridiculous like you said..
It looks like they just dropped the monthly income requirement. As soon as someone with money and no income confirms that I will be reporting.
@@VagabondAwake thanks for sharing. I'm interested to know the requirements even though I'm not yet retiring.
Fantastic video
In Sarawak for a 35 year old do I have to deposit AND prove a monthly income?? Many thanks in advance
Stay tuned. We will update that soon, :-)
I don't drink or smoke
Could care less
Is healthy food cheap?
Yes
Also, can I buy property in kanpur with that other visa? Please advise
When did you get your MM2H? I thought you just moved coutnries after a few months...
I like Singapore, but they don't like me.🤣 Singapore does not like idle retired folk... Will have to go back to Kuching and revisit.
I don't have a retirement visa in Malaysia. I am a slow traveler. I just report on what I learn as I travel.
🙏
How easy is it to date a decent Malaysian girl if you're 60+?
Does the US Government still pay out Social Security and VA Disability when you live overseas?
Yes. With very few limitations. G into your local SS office and they will explains.
Comment: can I purchase candle in malaysia
If weed is your thing I would say away from Malaysia. They have hard code penalties there for street drugs, even the death penalty.
Hi Dan i want to be clear so am 40 years old,i show $75,000 for me and my husband, enroll our children in school, show monthly income of $1750 i can actually apply?
Once you start getting down into the weeds like this, I would talk to a visa agent. Just Google Sarawak Retirement visa agent. Best of luck. :-)
I read on line US citizens for holiday is 90 days. I read somewhere else 14-30 days. Please clarify?
90 days with 2 month extension possible
@Vagabond Awake I was unsure I can safely purchase a airline ticket for over 30 days.
One of my favorite SE Asian countries! Asked the wife "lets spend a month in KL and a month in Penang". Her response: "too hot!" 🤣🤣 oh well...
Americans are so spoiled because the country spans all climates. We live in N. CA and have the perfect range of temps...hard to get the wife to move...
There's mountains where it's a lot cooler.
@@Falconlibrary yes, we did visit Cameron highlands where it was cooler, but not as diverse as KL or Penang. I would retire in Penang...love the food!
Most people adapt easily to hot and humid climate while some may find it difficult. There are also those who prefer hot climates over the cold winters.
The new requirements aren’t on the MM2H website. Did they actually go ahead with it? If so any idea why the website doesn’t reflect that?
Do you mainland Malaysia or Sarawak? There are two ways as explained in the video. Please clarify your question. Thank you, Dan
@@VagabondAwake I read that the Sarawak mm2h loophole may not last for long as it defeats the purpose of the federal changes to the mm2h. If so it's no longer an option for me
Can you profile some places in Sarawak?
Yes. Stay Tuned. But you only need to spend 15 days of each year in Sarawak. So I would spend most of my time in Kuala Lumpur or Georgetown Penang.
@@VagabondAwake i thought you only can have a 90 day visa in Malaysia
Dan is there any plan for M2H in Sabah do you know?
Yes. Stay tuned. I will cover that soon.
Still in Dumaguete your not missing much mate.
Thailand is worse. You have to renew every year and report to immigration every 90 days
Yes
I dont understand.life is great cheap.and they are so crazy asking so much money for visa retirment its so disgusting. 8000 eu monthly !!!!are they crazy ????
Malaysia made it obvious they don't want long term expats.
We will see. They are expecting changes soon. Also, check out Sabah. They are still happy with foreigners.
You cannot be a pot smoker in Malaysia - that is not going to work.
It might be best to remove this video.
Changes for the worse in the last few months. Better dump this video or update with current information
Stay tuned for updates
I have been living in Thailand for 12 years, after all these years, I am getting tired why? Language is the biggest problem, then culture, and thai people are mostly lazy, and the food sucks, no much variety, there are only 2 food paradise in the world, Singapore and Malaysia, so I am preparing to relocate to Malaysia, do you have a video how and where to look for decent girls to get married in Malaysia, I think they are better than thai girls.
I met Qiang on Tinder.
@@VagabondAwake Ok. I checked the Malaysian Visa website and it says maximum 30 days visa for tourist visa, do you have any idea how to get like 90 days stay in Malaysia and how did you stay longer than 30 days? Thanks.
@@motto666 depends on your passport
Great information!
Thank you!