Ordinary foreign acquisition
Sabah state policy, eligible property type, threshold and State consent must be checked for the specific transaction.
Source-led guidance
Buying Sabah property as a foreigner.
Foreign acquisition rules, federal MM2H and Sabah-MM2H are related but not interchangeable. Start with the correct route and verify it against current authorities.
Do not rely on a single headline threshold.
Eligibility can change with programme category, property type, state policy, consent and the facts of the purchase.
Federal MM2H
Federal programme categories carry their own residence-purchase terms and remain subject to the relevant state property policy.
Sabah-MM2H
The Sabah programme has separate category, residence-purchase, stay and licensed-agent requirements published by the state programme.
Due diligence
Title, restrictions, approvals, financing, tax, legal fees and programme status should be verified by the relevant qualified professionals and authorities.
A safer order of work
Confirm eligibility before property fit.
The sequence prevents a buyer from treating a desirable unit as purchasable before the legal and programme route is clear.
1. Establish route
Nationality, residence programme, intended use and whether the buyer is acting personally or through another structure.
2. Screen property
Property type, title, restriction, threshold, consent route and any programme-specific purchase condition.
3. Verify transaction
Independent legal advice, financing, tax, fees, source documents and approvals before commitment.
Buyer document checklist
Questions to resolve for the exact purchase.
01
Which foreign-acquisition or MM2H route applies?
02
Is the property type and title eligible?
03
What current threshold and consent process apply?
04
Are there programme-linked purchase or holding conditions?
05
Can financing be obtained on acceptable terms?
06
Which legal, tax, duty and approval costs apply?