overview
Malaysia: "Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse cultures and vibrant cities. Its economy is driven by manufacturing, tourism, and natural resources. The country’s mix of modern infrastructure and traditional heritage makes it a fascinating destination.",
overview
National Anthem
Negaraku
Independence Day
August 31, 1957
Haiko
Petronas Towers / Orangutans swing through rainforest / Satay grills sizzle
Interesting Tradition
Celebrates Thaipusam with devotees piercing their bodies as acts of devotion
Weirdest Local Superstition
Don't point at rainbows
Strangest Law Still on the Books
Illegal to walk around naked in your own house
overview
Come for the diversity, stay for the development: Malaysia blends multicultural heritage with modern ambition across its peninsular and island territories. Life balances between morning meetings in sky-high offices and evening street food adventures in heritage neighborhoods. The country's MM2H program and tech visas have created multiple pathways for global citizens to embrace Malaysian possibilities.
overview
Explore a land where 'muhibbah' isn't just harmony, but the foundation of success. Here, diversity powers prosperity.
overview
Known for its diverse culture and cuisine where every meal is a culinary adventure
Malaysia isn't just a country—it's a cultural feast for the senses. Here, time moves between ancient rainforests and soaring towers, and even a simple street food adventure becomes a journey through multiple traditions. This is a land where diversity creates daily celebration.
From the sky-piercing Petronas Towers to the orangutan sanctuaries of Borneo, Malaysia offers excitement for every curious explorer. Whether you're drawn to the colonial charm of Penang, the tea plantations of Cameron Highlands, or the coral reefs of Sipadan, you'll find a nation that blends traditions into something magnificently modern.
Statistics
Eat
nasi lemak (coconut rice dish) - satay (grilled meat skewers)
Drink
teh tarik (pulled milk tea) - sirap bandung (rose syrup milk drink)
overview
Beer
Annual consumption (liters per capita)
Wine
Annual consumption (liters per capita)
Coffee
Annual consumption (liters per capita)
Tea
Annual consumption (liters per capita)
overview
overview
Representative Novel
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng (Set in Malaysia during and after WWII)
National Animal
Malayan tiger
National Pasttime
Badminton
National Souvenir
Batik fabric
National Dish
Nasi lemak
Famous Festival
Hari Merdeka
Famous Dance
Joget
Famous Music
Dikir barat
overview
The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur reach a staggering height of 452 meters, making them the tallest twin towers globally.
Taman Negara, a national park in Peninsular Malaysia, is estimated to be over 130 million years old, offering a glimpse into ancient natural history.
The country’s tropical climate is ideal for rubber trees, contributing to Malaysia’s status as a leading rubber producer globally.
overview
April 2014
Earliest settlements in Malaysia
July 2014
Malacca Sultanate
February 2015
Portuguese capture Malacca
March 2015
Independence from Britain
October 2016
Race riots
MOBILITY
NO. OF Mobility Assets
MOBILITY
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MOBILITY
Visa Free Countries
154
Performance Class
World-Class Access
Passport Grade
A-
Rank
44
Score
167.8
This visa grants access to:
MOBILITY
MOBILITY
MOBILITY
Healthcare
Median Age
30.1
years
Life Expectancy
76.8
years
Obesity Rate
26.30%
Tobacco Use
38.00%
Sources
Health Expenditure
4.38%
of GDP
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Hospital Beds
1.88
per 1000 people
Doctors
2.228
per 1000 people
Out-of-pocket
32.08%
of total expenditure
Sources
Healthcare
Malaysia has a dual healthcare system where citizens and residents can access both public hospitals and private healthcare facilities.
Malaysia's public healthcare system is very affordable, with subsidized care available to residents, though wait times can be long in public hospitals.
Private hospitals in Malaysia offer faster access to treatments and more personalized care, attracting expatriates and medical tourists.
Expatriates in Malaysia often choose private healthcare, and many purchase international health insurance for coverage in private hospitals.
Malaysia is a major hub for medical tourism in Southeast Asia, attracting international patients with its affordable and high-quality healthcare services.
Healthcare
Healthcare
cost of living
Cost of Gasoline
$0.50
per liter
Cost of Meal
$3.63
(Inexpensive Restaurant)
Monthly Rent
$384.45
(1 bedroom, City Center)
Monthly Utilities
$52.78
(85m² Apartment)
Domestic Beer
$3.87
(0.5 liter draught)
VAT Rate
8%-10%
cost of living
cost of living
cost of living
Taxation
Before relocating to Malaysia, it's important to understand its tax system.+Malaysia taxes resident expats on Malaysian-source income and foreign-source income remitted to Malaysia. Non-residents are taxed only on Malaysian-source income. Income tax rates for residents are progressive, ranging from 0% to 30%, while non-residents pay a flat rate of 30%. A Sales and Service Tax (SST) applies instead of VAT. Property tax is also levied. For tax purposes, an Income Tax Number is required.+Malaysia has a double taxation treaty with the United States to prevent dual taxation issues.
Tax Residency Requirement
182 days
Worldwide Income Taxation
No (Territorial system)
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Higher Rates for Foreign Assets
No
US Double Taxation Treaty
Yes
Personal Income
Progressive tax rate based on income levels
Personal Capital Gains
Flat rate on investment gains
Inheritance
Based on inherited amount and relationship
Corporate Income
Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits
Corporate Capital Gains
Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments
Dividends
Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions
Interest
Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens
Royalties
Withholding tax rate for royalty payments
Work Assignment
Foreign individuals are considered tax residents if they are physically present in Malaysia for 182 days or more in a calendar year.
Overall Ranking
Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking
Ease of Paying Taxes Score
Overall score based on multiple factors
Total Tax and Cotribution Rate
TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions
Time to Comply
Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations
Number of Payments
Total number of tax payments required annually
Post-filing Index
Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes
taxation
taxation
CLIMATE
Average Temperature
26.38 °C
Humidity
80
%
Average Annual Precipitation
2,875
mm
Rainless Days per Year
182
Best Time to Travel
February-April & June-September
Questions?
Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in Malaysia.
What Mobility Assets are available to me in Malaysia?
Do I need to speak Malay to apply for residency or citizenship in Malaysia?
Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in Malaysia with me?
How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to Malaysia?
Can I keep my own citizenship?
overview
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