Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Malaysia My Second Home program a permanent residency?
No, the Malaysia My Second Home program is only a long-term visa. During this period, participants can enter and exit Malaysia freely, without a specific residency requirement.
2. Can it be renewed after the ten-year period?
Yes, it can. As long as the initial application conditions are met, the Malaysian government guarantees permanent renewal.
3. Is there a requirement to purchase a property when applying for the Malaysia My Second Home program?
The Malaysia My Second Home program is not directly linked to property purchase. It’s not necessary to buy property to apply for the program, and buying property doesn’t mandate participation in the program.
4. How can a child over 21 years old obtain a visa to live in Malaysia?
Under the Malaysia My Second Home program, the visa for children becomes invalid once they reach 21 years old. Unless the child independently applies for the Malaysia My Second Home program or obtains a work visa to stay in Malaysia, alternatives might be limited.
5. Can deposits held in Malaysia be withdrawn?
For expenses such as property purchases, buying cars, medical expenses, and children’s education fees in Malaysia, it’s possible to request the unfreezing of up to half of the amount in Malaysian currency. The remaining half must continue to be held in the bank.
6. Can a child born in Malaysia to Chinese parents obtain Malaysian citizenship?
No, they cannot. Children born in Malaysia to Chinese parents still need to be registered at their country’s embassy or consulate.
7. How long does it take to get approval for Malaysia My Second Home?
The official website mentions 90 working days, but currently, the processing time typically ranges from 3 to 5 months.
8. Is there a specific timeframe to enter Malaysia after approval?
Yes, the main applicant must arrive within 6 months to have the visa affixed, but there is no such requirement for dependents.
9. How to apply for parents under the Malaysia My Second Home program?
It’s possible to bring parents aged 60 or above as dependents under the Malaysia My Second Home program. After obtaining the My Second Home status, the application for parents requires the following documents:
- Copies of parents’ passport and notarized copies.
- Notarized proof of relationship with parents.
- Notarized certificate of parents’ police certificate of clearance.
- Six recent passport-sized colored photographs of each parent.
- A simple letter of application for the My Second Home program.
10. The steps to apply for Second Home (Second Citizenship) status for a child born after obtaining Second Home status are as follows:
- Notarized birth certificate
- Copy of the entire passport
- Colored photo with a white background
- Second Home application form
- Approval letter for the Second Home from the child’s parents.
11. What materials need notarization among those submitted?
Child’s birth certificate (medical birth certificate), copy of the marriage certificate, no criminal record certificate for the main applicant (issued by the Public Security Bureau), proof of deposit, passport, the remaining documents do not require notarization.
12. If someone has changed their name before, what should they do?
They would need a notarized document for their former/previous name.
13. Is there an expiration date for notarized documents?
The validity period of notarized documents is within three months.
14. Is it possible to have a six-month fixed deposit in two or more banks?
Yes, it’s possible to have a six-month fixed deposit in multiple banks. However, it’s not recommended. If immigration authorities review this, you’d have to send separate documents for their examination, causing inconvenience and potentially delaying the process.
15. When providing a six-month financial proof, is it about pre-saving for six months or having a validity of six months?
When submitting the documentation, the fixed deposit statement needs to have a validity period of six months rather than requiring pre-saving for six months.
16. Does the income on a three-month bank statement have to show as salary?
Not necessarily, it can be cash deposits, transfers, or salary.
17. If someone is blacklisted by the Malaysian Immigration Department and Customs, can they still apply?
No, they cannot. They won’t be allowed to enter Malaysia.
18. Can assets such as funds, government bonds, or stocks be used as proof for Second Home?
No, they cannot. Currently, Second Home only accepts deposits and current accounts; financial products, funds, bonds, stocks, and similar assets are no longer recognized.
19. How to expedite the application process for Malaysia’s Second Home program?
Speeding up the process involves two steps: preparing and submitting documents:
- Document Preparation: Ensure all documents are complete, clear, and easy to read and understand.
- Bank Verification: Immigration authorities typically use courier letters and email for bank verification. Even verification through Malaysian Chinese banks may not necessarily expedite the process.
20. Having a Malaysian work visa, how can one apply for the Second Home program?
It’s possible to apply through a visa conversion process. Once the Second Home application is approved, you can collect the Second Home visa from the Immigration Department. They will assist in canceling the work visa and directly replacing it with the Second Home visa.
21. What preparations are needed after Second Home approval?
Firstly, we’ll assist in applying for an endorsement letter. Upon receiving this letter, proceed to the Malaysian Embassy (in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming) to obtain a single-entry visa.
22. Which bank can I deposit 1 million Malaysian Ringgit into as a fixed deposit? Is there any interest?
A fixed deposit of 1 million Malaysian Ringgit can be placed in any bank in Malaysia, including foreign banks with branches in Malaysia. The annual interest rates range from 3.3% to 3.8%.
23. After Second Home approval, is it necessary for the whole family to come together to collect the visa?
Yes, the collection of the visa requires the entire family to be present. The main applicant must report within 6 months, while there’s no issue if family members arrive later than 6 months.
24. What should I do if I’ve lost the approval letter for Malaysia’s Second Home program?
You can visit the Malaysia My Second Home Center to apply for a replacement. The center will retrieve archived records, provide a photocopy, verify it with a stamp, and notarize it. However, they won’t provide a colored copy like the original one.
25. What benefits and privileges can one enjoy by joining the Second Home program?
The primary policy benefits include children receiving local education and study privileges as nationals, tax exemptions for investments, property purchases, and setting up companies for adults. Additionally, partial subsidies are available for medical expenses through purchased health insurance.
26. Can one access Malaysian public education?
Yes, one can access tuition-free education from primary to high school in public schools. The annual fees are only around 120 Malaysian Ringgit, along with minor book fees and miscellaneous charges. The primary languages of instruction are Malay and English, while Chinese-language education is available in Chinese schools.
27. Can one access free healthcare in Malaysia?
No, free healthcare isn’t accessible. However, there are partial subsidies available for certain medications.
28. Are there any benefits for purchasing properties or cars locally?
In Malaysia’s Second Home program, not only is it convenient to purchase quality properties, but one can also enjoy up to 80% low-interest home loans. Secondhand properties can also be purchased.
Tax-free car purchases are available; however, after December 31, 2017, only hybrid and certain local car models qualify for a 30% tax exemption.
29. Can applicants be employed in Malaysia?
Under this program, applicants can either establish their own business or apply for employment in multinational companies (with shares or as directors).
30. After applying for Second Home, how can one convert their driver’s license to a Malaysian one?
You’ll need your household registration booklet, ID card, and original Chinese driver’s license to get notarization and dual authentication from the local notary office.
Once completed, take the original and copy of your passport (first page and the page with the visa valid for over a year), the notarized document with dual authentication, your original driver’s license, and its copy to one of the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) branches. Note that you’ll need a residence visa of at least 3 months to convert to a Malaysian driver’s license.
31. How can one withdraw the annual interest on deposits in Malaysia’s Second Home program?
The method for withdrawing interest depends on the option chosen when obtaining the deposit statement from the bank. Banks typically offer two options:
- Annual interest is directly deposited into your current account, while the principal remains unchanged.
- Interest is added directly to the principal, increasing the principal amount.
Usually, the first option is more commonly chosen.
32. If the Second Home visa hasn’t expired but a passport replacement is needed, what should be done?
The applicant needs to personally visit the Immigration Department and bring the following documents:
- Original old and new passports
- Copy of the entire new passport
- Original and copy of the fixed deposit statement
- Visa fee of 120RM per year
- Application form
The visa will be extended for the remaining years up to the ten-year limit of the Second Home visa. If a child is over 21, they won’t be eligible for renewal. The process takes one working day.
33. How to renew the Second Home visa after the 10-year period?
You’ll need to resubmit income proofs, medical insurance certificates, an expression of interest, a copy of the entire passport, application forms, deposit statements, bank confirmation of deposits, approval letter, and a medical examination report. The renewal process takes around 7 working days.
34. Does participating in the Second Home program affect immigrating to other countries?
Participating in the Second Home program doesn’t affect immigrating to other countries; instead, it can be beneficial. Having Second Home status enhances your credibility with foreign immigration authorities, potentially earning you additional points. From our operational experience, many individuals with Second Home status have successfully passed immigration assessments for countries like Canada and Australia in one go.
35. Is translation required for passport notarization?
No translation is required for passport notarization. The passport itself is bilingual (Chinese and English), while the notarized document needs to be in both Chinese and English.
36. Notarize the child’s birth certificate or the child’s birth?
Notarize the child’s birth certificate (medical birth certificate) rather than the birth itself
37. Is it necessary to notarize both marriage certificates?
Only one of the certificates needs to be notarized.
38. Does the no criminal record certificate require dual authentication?
Yes, it does. First, obtain the certificate from the Public Security Bureau, then notarize it at the notary office. After notarization, proceed to the Foreign Affairs Office for authentication.
39. Is a clean criminal record needed for both spouses?
Yes, both spouses and children need to obtain a no criminal record certificate
40. How to handle a child’s name change?
You’ll need dual authentication for the previous name used.
41. Is there an expiration date for notarized documents?
Notarized documents are valid for up to 6 months.
42. For the 6-month proof of assets (certificate of fixed deposit), is it necessary to have funds deposited for 6 months or is a 6-month validity period required?
When submitting the documents, the fixed deposit statement needs to have a validity of 6 months rather than requiring a prior deposit for 6 months.
43. Can the 6-month fixed deposit be held separately in two or more banks?
It’s possible, but not recommended. If subjected to immigration scrutiny, separate review letters must be sent, causing inconvenience and potentially delaying the process significantly.
44. Is there a specified bank for a 1 million RMB fixed deposit?
Any bank will suffice. However, our company recommends storing it in Bank of China, HSBC, or UOB Bank. These three banks have more experience in responding to immigration inquiries when faced with scrutiny.
45. Does the income on the three-month bank statement have to specifically display salary?
Not necessarily, it can be cash deposits, transfers, or salary.
46. Is notarization required for the certificate of fixed deposit and bank statements?
No, notarization is not required.
47. Does the employment verification letter need to be notarized?
No, notarization is not required
48. How long does the application process take?
In general, applicants can expect to receive a notification of the outcome around 4 to 6 months after submitting all documents
49. What are the issues with applying for and changing passports for newborns in Malaysia?
Regarding the issues of applying for a passport and replacing a passport for newborns in Malaysia under the Second Home program, here are the specifics:
- Children born in Malaysia can apply for a Chinese passport at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Malaysia. It’s not a temporary passport; there’s no concept of a temporary passport. With the passport and birth certificate, the child can apply to join their parents’ Second Home program or, if they meet the conditions for overseas Chinese status, they can settle in China.
- After the child’s passport expires, as long as they have a long-term residence permit, they can continue to renew their passport at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Malaysia.
For specific details regarding the replacement or issuance of passports for newborns, please refer to the website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Malaysia.