Sarawak MM2H records over 800 approvals, education drives growth
Sarawak’s MM2H scheme has approved 825 foreign applicants since 2023, bringing RM176.9 million in fixed deposits and highlighting education as a key lure.
The short version
- 560 applications approved in 2025, 265 more by mid‑May 2026
- Total approved applicants exceed 800 since the programme began
- Fixed‑deposit inflows total RM176.9 million for the state
- Education options and Japanese tourism are new focus areas
Approval numbers surge
Sarawak’s tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told the state legislative assembly that 560 applications were approved last year. By mid‑May this year a further 265 were cleared, pushing the cumulative total of successful applicants to more than 800 since the scheme’s launch. The figures were disclosed during a recent parliamentary session and reported by Bernama.
Karim said the state is now turning its attention to Japanese nationals after observing a rise in visitors from Japan. He explained that while the decision rests with prospective applicants, the trend mirrors interest from Europe and China, who view Sarawak as a safe destination with reliable medical facilities.
Economic impact of deposits
The influx of approved participants has translated into a substantial financial contribution. According to the minister, the approved applicants have collectively placed RM176.9 million in fixed‑deposit accounts within Sarawak banks. This capital is locked for the duration of the visa, providing a stable source of funds for the state’s economy and supporting local banking activity.
Karim stressed that the fixed‑deposit requirement is a core element of the programme, ensuring that each visa holder contributes directly to Sarawak’s financial base. The deposits are part of the broader economic benefit the state hopes to achieve through the MM2H scheme, complementing tourism and other sectors.
Education and new target markets
The education sector has emerged as a significant draw for foreign families. International schools across Sarawak offer curricula that appeal to expatriate children, making the MM2H programme attractive to parents seeking quality schooling abroad. This factor was highlighted by Karim as a key incentive for many recent applicants.
Looking ahead, the state plans to market the programme more aggressively to Japanese prospects, leveraging the growing tourist flow from Japan. By aligning the visa’s benefits with education and health services, Sarawak hopes to sustain the upward trajectory of approvals and associated economic inflows.
“It’s up to them (the Japanese) to see what Sarawak has to offer, but from what I can observe, especially from applicants from Europe or China, they see Sarawak as a safe place with good medical facilities,”
What it means
What this changes for an applicant
- Applicants can expect their approval to come with a mandatory fixed‑deposit that will remain locked for the visa period, contributing to the reported RM176.9 million inflow.
- Families with school‑age children may find Sarawak’s international schools a compelling reason to join the programme, as education is cited as a primary attraction.
- The focus on Japanese nationals suggests future promotional efforts may be tailored to that market, potentially increasing the diversity of approved applicants.
Source
This article was written by Malaysia Visa Guide, based on reporting by Free Malaysia Today. 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 25 July 2026.
Written and reviewed by Jason Yap, Chairman of the PVIP Agent Association.
Last reviewed 25 July 2026.
News is a starting point, not advice.
For what this means in your own case, the verified figures live in the Sarawak MM2H guide, or run the eligibility checker.