The Expat’s Guide To MM2H VS Indonesia Second Home Visa
Though MISHU is a Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agent, we acknowledge that with something as important as a long-term visa, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution!
However, as these visas are from different countries, honest comparisons from official sources aren’t too readily available.
And as we want our MM2H applicants to be informed, we’d like to help!
Below, we directly compare Malaysia’s MM2H against Indonesia’s Second Home Visa, two popular options for expats looking to relocate to Southeast Asia.
Here’s how we’ve broken it down:
- programme overview
- immediate takeaways, and
- our final recommendations
Let’s begin.
Overview of MM2H and Indonesia Second Home Visa
Unlike with our MM2H vs Thailand LTR Visa comparison, our research suggests both MM2H and the Indonesia Second Home visas have been tailored to attract expats with families.
That said, both visas approach it differently, making it easy to decide based on your priorities.
Though MM2H offers four categories (Silver, Gold, Platinum, SEZ) while the Indonesia Second Home just one, we don’t think a tier–by-tier breakdown in necessary and a single table will suffice!
| Feature | Malaysia MM2H | Indonesia Second Home Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Number of tiers | 4 | 1 |
| Minimum Age | 25 (21 for SEZ) | 19 |
| Main Visa Fee | RM1,000 – RM200,000 (≈USD240 – USD47,400) | Rp. 13,000,000 – Rp. 19,500,000 (≈USD800 – USD1,200) |
| Fixed Deposit & Home Purchase | Fixed Deposit of USD32,000 – USD 1 million in Malaysian bank AND Home purchase of RM600,000 – RM2,000,000 (≈USD142,000 – USD448,000) 50% of FD withdrawable to buy home, which can’t be sold for 10 years unless upgrading | Fixed Deposit of Rp. 2 billion (≈USD130,000) in Indonesian bank OR Home purchase of USD1 million (limited to multifamily residences) |
| Validity Period | 5 – 20 years | 5 – 10 years |
| Renewal | Every 5 years if requirements met | Every 5 years if requirements met |
| Minimum Stay | 90 days / year (can be shared among dependents for applicants aged 25–34) Principals 50 years and above exempted | None |
| Dependents | Spouse, children, parents/in-laws, medically certified dependents | Spouse, children, parents, medically certified dependents |
| PR Options | None | Can apply for PR status after 3 years |
| Business / Work | Only Platinum tier | Allowed if PR status approved |
| Education | Automatic Student Pass for children | Must apply for separate visa |
| Transferrable | Yes, to next-of-kin upon death | Not specified |
Now for our takeaways.
The Indonesia Second Home Visa offers the following advantages over MM2H:
- applicants can choose between a Fixed Deposit OR home purchase to meet the eligibility requirements (MM2H requires both)
- after three years, applicants can apply for Permanent Resident status through what is known as an ITAS pass which allows them to work and do business in Indonesia
MM2H offers the following advantages over the Indonesia Second Home Visa:
- the Platinum tier allows up to 20 years and full rights to work / do business in Malaysia from the start
- even the second highest Gold tier allows up to 15 years of residing in Malaysia
- automatic Student Passes are very convenient for applicants with school-age children
- transferability upon death to one’s next of kin provides a measure of security
Our final thoughts
Clearly, MM2H requires a higher commitment than the Indonesia Second Home visa, but in exchange offers tiers with significantly longer validity periods and (under its highest tier) full freedom to work and do business in Malaysia from day one.
Meanwhile, the Indonesia Second Home visa not only offers more relaxed financial requirements but a path to PR status after three years.
We’d recommend MM2H for:
- families with children and other vulnerable dependents
- retirees who want a long and stable residency
- entrepreneurs and senior professionals
We’d recommend Indonesia Second Home Visa for:
- younger expats and digital nomads
- those seeking a more permanent visa option
- people not ready for a high-cost home purchase
If you think MM2H is the better fit, check out our following resources:
If you still think MM2H is the better fit, get in touch with us to kickstart your application!
Let MISHU help with your MM2H application
Not all MM2H agents are created equal – some leave you more confused! Let us make the process as straightforward and hassle-free as possible for you and your family.
This is an excellent side-by-side comparison of MM2H vs Indonesia Second Home Visa. Both programs clearly cater to different priorities with MM2H offering longer residency periods and strong benefits for families, while Indonesia’s Second Home Visa provides more flexibility with lower financial requirements and even a path to PR after three years.