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.
Questions
Frequently asked
What happens if I withdraw Indonesia's IDR 2 billion deposit?
Withdrawing the balance below the required IDR 2 billion ends the visa — immigration can and does check the account, so the money has to stay in place as long as you hold the Second Home Visa. MM2H's deposit works differently: once you're an approved participant you can draw down up to half of it for an approved purpose without losing your visa.
How long do I have to actually place the deposit after approval?
90 days. Indonesia's Second Home Visa is first approved on a written promise to meet the financial requirement — you then have 90 days from that approval to make the deposit or show the qualifying property, or the visa lapses.
Can my family join me on Indonesia's Second Home Visa?
Yes — spouse, children, and parents can all join on dependant permits lasting the same 5 or 10 years as the main visa, and there's no separate financial requirement for each dependant. One deposit or property covers the whole family.
Is the deposit route or the property route cheaper?
The deposit route, by a wide margin — roughly IDR 2 billion (about USD 130,000) versus a qualifying property worth at least USD 1 million under Hak Pakai (right-of-use) title. Most applicants use the deposit route unless they specifically want to own Indonesian real estate.
Message us — you’ll know your next move
No pitch, no scheduling — just chat with us on WhatsApp. 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