Malaysia (MM2H) vs Indonesia (Second Home Visa)
Two refundable-deposit residency routes at a similar entry level — the real choice is lifestyle, visa horizon, and infrastructure.
Figures verified June 2026 · Indonesia Second Home Visa: IDR 2bn (~USD 130k) state-bank deposit, 5/10-year
Quick verdict
The one-line difference
Entry capital is in the same ballpark — Indonesia’s ~IDR 2 billion (≈ USD 130k) state-bank deposit sits right next to MM2H’s USD 150k Silver tier, and both are refundable. So decide on what surrounds it: Bali lifestyle and a deposit-only route (Indonesia) versus a longer visa, deeper English/ schooling/healthcare infrastructure, and the Johor–Singapore angle (Malaysia).
Side by side
The programmes at a glance
| Malaysia MM2H | Indonesia Second Home Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Headline cost | Fixed deposit USD 150k / 500k / 1M (by tier) | ~IDR 2bn (≈ USD 130k) in a state bank — or own property ≥ IDR 5bn |
| Refundable? | Yes — deposit kept, earns interest | Yes — held; withdrawing ends the visa |
| Income test | None (since June 2024) | None |
| Property purchase | Required (RM 600k / 1M / 2M) | Not required (deposit route) |
| Visa length | 5 / 15 / 20 years | 5 or 10 years |
| Best-known for | Penang, KL, Johor (RTS to Singapore) | Bali |
Where Malaysia pulls ahead
For a similar deposit, MM2H offers a much longer horizon (up to 20 years vs Indonesia’s 10), no income test, and a deeper English-language environment — business, contracts and a large international-school network. If schooling continuity, specialist healthcare, or the cross-border Singapore opportunity in Johor matter, Malaysia is the stronger base. The trade-off: MM2H also requires a property purchase on top of the deposit, so the total capital deployed is higher.
Where Indonesia wins
If the dream is specifically Bali, Indonesia is the only one of the two that puts you there, and the deposit-only route means you don’t have to buy property to qualify (though a luxury-property alternative exists). For a lifestyle-led move at a similar entry cost, it’s a genuine contender.
In 15 minutes, you’ll know your next move
A free discovery call — not a sales call. You walk away with a clear, honest read of your situation, even if that read is “not yet, and here’s why.”
- Which MM2H tier your numbers actually reach — and the gap if they don't
- The 2–3 neighbourhoods that fit your budget, schools, and commute
- Your real all-in cost, and the one or two mistakes people in your situation make