Forest City SFZ MM2H Guidance Highlights Lower Deposit Thresholds
Forest City’s Special Financial Zone outlines the eligibility, reduced deposit and property requirements for its MM2H variant, targeting retirees, investors and families.
The short version
- 593 applicants approved between 1 Oct 2024 and 31 Mar 2026.
- Deposit requirement drops to US$65,000 (ages 21‑49) or US$32,000 (50+).
- Minimum Forest City property purchase is RM500,000.
- Visa lasts 10 years, renewable, and permits residence anywhere in Malaysia.
- Applications must be submitted through a MOTAC‑licensed MM2H agent.
Surge in Approvals
Between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2026, 593 candidates secured approval for the Forest City Special Financial Zone (SFZ) MM2H programme, marking a notable increase in successful applications. The rise has sparked a wave of enquiries from prospective residents, underscoring growing regional interest in Malaysia’s comparatively easy long‑term residency route.
In response to the heightened demand, Forest City – a designated Special Financial Zone in Johor – released a detailed guide that clarifies eligibility, documentation and step‑by‑step procedures for its SFZ MM2H variant. The guidance aims to streamline the process for applicants and to differentiate the SFZ offering from the national Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers.
Lower Financial Barriers
Under the national MM2H framework, Silver and Gold participants must maintain fixed deposits ranging from RM500,000 to RM1 million and purchase homes worth at least RM600,000 (Silver), RM1 million (Gold) or RM2 million (Platinum). By contrast, the SFZ MM2H lowers the deposit to US$65,000 for applicants aged 21‑49 and US$32,000 for those 50 and older, while still requiring a Forest City residence valued at a minimum of RM500,000.
The SFZ visa grants a 10‑year renewable multiple‑entry pass, allowing the holder and eligible dependants to live anywhere in Malaysia, from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Although the property must be bought within Forest City, owners are free to rent it out or reside elsewhere, offering flexibility not always present in the standard tiers.
Steps and Practical Benefits
Applicants must engage a licensed MM2H agent accredited by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) – direct submissions are not accepted. The agent assists in gathering required documents, submitting the application, and obtaining the Letter of Conditional Approval from the ministry.
Once approval is received, the applicant opens a fixed‑deposit account with a Malaysian financial institution and places the required funds. After purchasing the qualifying Forest City property, up to 50 % of the initial deposit may be withdrawn for approved purposes such as education, medical expenses or tourism, subject to programme conditions.
The final step is visa endorsement, which provides a 10‑year renewable multiple‑entry pass for the main applicant, spouse and unmarried children under 21. While the visa does not automatically confer employment rights, holders may apply separately for a work or business permit if needed, and they gain access to the broader Forest City ecosystem, including tax incentives for qualifying family offices and a nearby international school.
“Between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2026, 593 applicants were approved for the SFZ MM2H programme — a surge in success that has, in turn, triggered a sharp rise in enquiries from prospective applicants.”
What it means
What this changes for an applicant
- The reduced deposit makes the SFZ MM2H route more affordable for retirees and investors, but the mandatory property purchase remains a firm financial commitment.
- Applicants must work through a MOTAC‑licensed agent, meaning they cannot submit paperwork independently.
- Successful participants receive a 10‑year renewable visa that allows them to live in any Malaysian state, while still being able to withdraw half of their fixed deposit after the property purchase.
Source
This article was written by Malaysia Visa Guide, based on reporting by sinchew. We summarise and explain the news in our own words; we do not reproduce it. Read the original report for the publisher's full account.
Last updated 26 July 2026.
Written and reviewed by Jason Yap, Managing Director of MYPVIP.
Last reviewed 26 July 2026.
News is a starting point, not advice.
For what this means in your own case, the verified figures live in the MM2H guide, or run the eligibility checker.