DOMINICA
Investor Program
Advantages
• Citizenship and a second passport for life for the applicant and dependent family members • Travel visa-free to more than 115 countries
• Visa Free access to Schengen Area countries granted in May 2015
• Enjoy tax free status
• No requirement to reside in Dominica
• No management or educational requirements
• No country restrictions (Open to all applicants)
Requirements
• Applicants can make a non-refundable donation to the government fund or invest
in a government approved real-estate project
• Be over 18 years old
• Have no criminal record
• Provide all the documents are required in English
• Provide a letter of application for economic citizenship addressed to the Minister
responsible for Citizenship
• Have basic knowledge of the English language
• Make a deposit in a bank account at the National Commercial Bank of Dominica
• Must use a government authorised agent
Investment Options
1. The Government Fund option (non-refundable) Minimum to be invested:
• USD 100,000 for a single applicant
• USD 175,000 for applicant accompanied by a spouse
• USD 175,000 for applicant accompanied by up to two children under 18 years old
• USD 200,000 for applicant accompanied by a spouse and two children under 18
years old
• Add USD 50,000 for each additional dependent of the main applicant other than
a spouse 2. The Real Estate option (saleable after 3 years) Purchase authorised
real estate with a minimum value of USD 200,000, which must be held for at least
three years. In addition to the cost of the real-estate the following additional
government fees apply:
• Main applicant: USD 50,000
• Spouse: USD 25,000
• Dependent under 18: USD 20,000
• Dependant aged 18-25: USD 50,000
Process (3-4 months)
• Prepare all the documents required and submit them via an authorised agent, and
pay due diligence fees
• After approval, every applicant must sign an oath of allegiance in front of a Notary
Public, Justice of Peace or Commissioner of Oaths
• Obtain the passport after the citizenship confirmation
Malaysia’s Residency-by-Investment Playbook
From MM2H to the Premium Visa Programme—and why global investors are paying attention
In Southeast Asia’s increasingly competitive landscape for mobile capital, Malaysia has quietly re-emerged as a pragmatic alternative. Less headline-grabbing than Singapore and less transactional than some European “golden visas,” its residency framework sits somewhere in between: affordable, flexible, and strategically understated.
But Malaysia’s offer is best understood not in isolation. It has evolved alongside—and at times in response to—regional competitors, particularly Thailand, whose own residency policies have been repeatedly recalibrated over the past two decades.
Together, they tell a broader story: how middle-income nations are redesigning immigration to attract global wealth without destabilising domestic economies.
From MM2H to Premium Visa: a programme in transition
Malaysia’s flagship initiative, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), dates back to the early 2000s. Originally conceived as a lifestyle visa for retirees, it quickly gained traction among foreign investors seeking low costs, tropical living and tax simplicity.
At its peak, MM2H attracted tens of thousands of applicants—particularly from China, Japan and the UK.
Yet success brought scrutiny. Rising property prices and domestic concerns about foreign influence prompted the government to tighten requirements sharply in 2021, increasing income thresholds and deposit levels. Applications fell. Criticism followed.
The response has been a recalibration.
Enter the Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)—a more structured, higher-tier scheme aimed explicitly at wealthy, globally mobile individuals.
The Premium Visa Programme: clarity and scale
At its core, the Premium Visa Programme offers a simple proposition:
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Minimum deposit: MYR 1 million (~USD 212,000)
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Duration: 20-year multiple-entry visa (renewable)
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No minimum stay requirement
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Ability to live, work and run a business
Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity:
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MYR 40,000/month income or MYR 480,000/year
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Upon approval: Funds are placed in a fixed deposit; Up to 50% may be withdrawn after one year for:
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Property / Education / Medical expenses
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The tax framework remains one of Malaysia’s strongest draws:
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Territorial taxation (only Malaysian-sourced income taxed); Extensive double taxation treaties
Why Malaysia—and why now? Malaysia occupies a unique middle ground.
It lacks Singapore’s institutional prestige and Thailand’s branding power, but compensates with:
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Lower capital requirements
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Greater flexibility
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A genuinely multicultural environment
A London-based adviser summarised its appeal:
“Malaysia doesn’t try to be the best. It tries to be the most usable.”
Investor profiles: how different nationalities use Malaysia
🇺🇸 American — cost optimisation without renunciation
An American consultant relocated part-time to Kuala Lumpur while maintaining US tax obligations.
“I didn’t come for tax avoidance. I came for cost efficiency and quality of life.”
Malaysia becomes a lifestyle arbitrage tool, not a tax escape.
🇪🇺 European — post-Schengen diversification
A French investor, facing tightening rules on EU golden visas, turned to Malaysia as a secondary base.
“Europe is becoming restrictive. Malaysia offers flexibility without bureaucracy.”
For Europeans, Malaysia functions as a non-European hedge.
🇷🇺 Russian — geopolitical repositioning
For Russian investors, Malaysia offers neutrality.
“We needed a jurisdiction that is open, stable, and not politically aligned against us.”
Malaysia’s non-aligned stance makes it attractive as a safe intermediary jurisdiction.
🇨🇳 Chinese — the dominant demographic
Chinese applicants form the largest segment of Malaysia’s residency programmes.
Their motivations are layered:
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Education access for children
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Asset diversification outside mainland China
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Lifestyle and air quality improvements
A Shanghai-based investor explained: “Malaysia is not the final destination. It’s a stepping stone with real benefits.”
Some use it as: A backup plan; A transition base toward Singapore or Western countries
A long-term residence for family while business remains in China
The Thailand comparison: policy as a moving target
Malaysia’s evolution cannot be separated from Thailand’s own trajectory.
Thailand has repeatedly adjusted its residency policies:
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Early 2000s: elite residency schemes targeting retirees
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2010s: expansion of long-stay visas
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Post-2020: introduction of Long-Term Residence (LTR) visas targeting:
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investors / high-income professionals / retirees / digital workers
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Alongside this sits the Thailand Privilege Visa, offering: 5 to 20-year residency; Entry from as low as ~$18,000
Thailand’s approach has been iterative—constantly adjusting price, access and target demographics.
Malaysia, by contrast, is now moving toward fewer changes, more predictability.
Two models, two philosophies
Malaysia Thailand
Stable, structured Adaptive, evolving
Deposit-based Tiered pricing
Long-term (20 years) Flexible (5–20 years)
Financial qualification Mixed qualification
The distinction is subtle but important: Malaysia is building confidence. Thailand is building volume
The limits of the model
Malaysia’s programme is not without constraints : No direct path to citizenship, Domestic policy shifts remain possible, Banking and compliance requirements can be strict
The broader trend: mid-tier jurisdictions rising
As Europe tightens its golden visa regimes and Singapore raises its entry thresholds, mid-tier jurisdictions like Malaysia are gaining relevance.
They offer: Lower barriers to entry, Real lifestyle value, Strategic optionality Not as endpoints—but as components in a global strategy.
Malaysia’s residency programme is best understood not as a destination, but as a tool.
It is: affordable enough to be accessible, stable enough to be credible, flexible enough to be useful
In a world where mobility is increasingly regulated, Malaysia offers something rare: room to manoeuvre
And for globally minded investors, that may be its most valuable asset.
The federal MM2H program was restructured (tiers: Silver, Gold)
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BUT: Sabah and Sarawak did NOT lose their autonomy
Sabah and Sarawak would retain independence from the federal government with regard to immigration policies. Of Malaysia's 13 states (and 3 federal territories), Sarawak and Sabah of Borneo have autonomy over their immigration policies, the island that Malaysia shares with Indonesia and Brunei. * *
A more attractive Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home program (MM2H) has been given an initial nod by the state government, says Datuk Christina Liew.
The Sabah Culture and Environment Minister said the state cabinet had in principle approved the conditions for the implementation of the (MM2H) here.
"The state Cabinet has approved the policies which govern the prerequisites for participation in the programme and these include the age requirement, medical certification and a fixed deposit account in Sabah," she said on Thursday (Feb 2).
She said a fixed deposit of RM200,000 along with a bank account with any bank were among the conditions.
Meanwhile, applicants will only be eligible to buy property (apartments) worth a minimum of RM600,000 and above, she said.
"There must be a minimum stay of 30 days a year and the approved duration for an individual or family is for 5+5 years in Sabah only.
"The applicants must have a good conduct certificate from their country of origin and a medical check-up certificate," she said.
Liew said the unique and competitive MM2H programmes were to attract high-end participants, who would benefit the state's economy.
She was optimistic the program would attract participants who fulfil the qualifying criteria.
"It is anticipated that these participants will create a significant impact on the State's economy, especially in real property development and the tourism industry," she added.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah MM2H (SMM2H) program had been approved by the state cabinet.
"Sabah's program will not follow the new requirements set out by the federal MM2H. With our own SMM2H, we hope to see high-value foreigners and talents moving to Sabah, and creating economic spin-offs," he said at the 42nd anniversary of Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) Night 2022
* * *
When the federal government, in 2021, first suspended and later reintroduced the MM2H at roundly criticized, far-higher minimum investment requirements, the Sarawak state decided to relaunch an MM2H program with requiring deposits from MYR 150,000 (ab. US$35,000), a min. monthly income of MYR 7,000 per month (ab. US$20,000 a year), and a 30-day min. presence in Sarawak state.
Datuk Christina Liew, Sabah's Culture and Environment Minister, told local press that the state government had "approved the policies which govern the prerequisites for participation in the program, and these include the age requirement, medical certification, and a fixed deposit account in Sabah." in saying a fixed deposit of MYR 200,000 (about US$47,000) in a Malaysian bank.
Real estate investor to buy apartments in Sabah must spend min. MYR 600,000 (ab. US$141,000).
Both of Sabah MM2H and Sarawak MM2H require that applicants must spend 30 days a year in the two East Malaysian states and they are free to reside throughout the country.
The federal program requires min. deposit of USD 235,000 with min. 90-day physical presence.
min.bank deposit / min.stay / min.annual income
Malaysia M2H $235,000 / 90 day / $ 100,000
Sabah-Malaysia M2H $ 47,000 / 30 day / TBD
Sarawak-Malaysia M2H $ 35,000 / 30 day / $ 100,000
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