The best thing about Kuching for me is that it has that “chill” factor. The vibes are slow and the traffic is great. There are many modern buildings with interesting characters, but a lot of old elegant colonial buildings are preserved. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia with 2 official languages: Bahasa Malaysia and English. And also the only state where the majority of people are Christians (over 50%) who are mostly the indigenous peoples.
I finally went to Malaysia last month and it was amazing! I think the food is now my favorite. Thanks for the information. We will head to Kuching next.
Welcome to Kuching. Sarawak is a model state of unity and harmony. Sarawakians celebrate festivities together, share the same table at eateries, support each other’s businesses regardless of their religious or racial backgrounds.
Yes indeed, we agree with you about these strengths that Sarawak provides. We think your description of Sarawak is very accurate. Thanks for watching our video!
Hello. I happened to search Kuching on UA-cam and came across your video. My family also recently immigrated from South Korea to Kuching. It's so good that I wonder if there's another city in Southeast Asia with clean, safe, and peaceful streets like this. In particular, perhaps because the city was formed around the airport, all the buildings are low and the view of the sky is great. As someone who now lives in Kuching, I would like to thank you for capturing the beauty of Kuching in video. Please keep making good videos in the future!
Welcome back to my beloved country of Malaysia... I remembered you as one of those youtubers who stuck in Malaysia during the covid MCO.. We are so glad to see u again here in Malaysia..
all total about 6 months malay/indo, plus another year around many of the PH islands, and a winter 3 months all vietnam and some cambodia/laos. .@@snailtravelers
Something seems different about you guys in this recent video. I really liked Kuching. Very laid back and slow-paced. I was there in early August last year and found the weather good. Not too hot compared to KL and Penang.
Thanks! Not sure what's different about us, maybe just excited to be back in Malaysia again! I'm glad you enjoyed visiting Kuching, it is indeed a fabulous place.
Hi I also have the SMM2H but when I applied which was in 2021 I only needed myr7500 a month with no deposit and have to stay in Sarawak for 15 days annually so I will be coming in January. The rest of the time I go between Penang and UK
Congratulations on having the S-MM2H visa and that you got it before the financial rules became more difficult. I think you made the right decision to get the visa when you did.
They have combined the two requirements. It caught a lot f new applicants out as retirees often don't have both enough cash for a fixed deposit AND have a pension/salary. They now have a third option for proof of financial capability for those without pension/salary...sufficient foreign savings account.
I would mention that there's an additional option for the Proof of Income requirement. They now allow a proof of sufficient money in a foreign savings account (Rm100,000 couple/RM 50,000 single) for the past 6 months. That's about $21,000/$10,500. Still have to submit the fixed deposit, as well as the proof of financial sustainability, though.😮
For transportation, currently the ART Tram is under construction. Kuching is the first city in the world to use an ART system with clean hydrogen energy. Sarawak uses hydrogen for electricity across the state. There is a hydrogen bus as well in Kuching today.
@@snailtravelers Yeah, I think Kuching is a good place to live. The ART construction is quite fast because Johor Bahru used to implement the ART first but seems like they changed the plan for LRT or MRT to complement the current project RTS.
It has been such a long time since ur last upload. Glad u n ur wife r back n this time to Sarawak. Hve been watching your videos since the MCO where both of u were stuck in Malaysia. Hve been a silent subcriber since. Love all yr previous videos. Keep blogging, Ryan n Emily n happy travelling.
Welcome to sarawak, east Malaysia, thankyou for sharing your experience in Sarawak, you are most welcome to stay here in this wonderful land of sarawak, have a nice day, Gb.
Very interesting video. We took a good hard look at Kuching, but never made it there. Your video certainly makes it look appealing. Maybe we will get there the next time we are in the area.
thank you so very much sir for this video...kuching is my birth place..but i left kuching in 1990 and live in SWEETWATER TEXAS..since than i never went back even though im back to Malaysia (2013..now stay in Johor)...kuching today is has changed alot ... more modernized than in the 90s... i hope someday I'll be back home...
Just at the right time !! I was exploring Kuching as a future retirement option and plan to visit here one day myself !! The offshore income part doesnt make sense at all because how are you expecting people who are there to retire to be drawing income to begin with? 40K Ringgit is more than 8.5K USD for goodness sake. Another flaw with the non federal MM2H visas are that you have to live in those states EXCLUSIVELY. Seems like they took off the flexibility option to live in other states which is a MAJOR BUMMER. Is that ok for you though?
Yes, it seems like the rules get more and more difficult. There are rumors that the requirements might change again soon, hopefully for the better. The requirement to live only in Sarawak with S-MM2H wouldn't be a problem for us because really like Kuching a lot. Thanks for watching!
@@snailtravelers Yes, there will be changes soon, but based on articles I've read and news I've heard, all likelihood it is a lowering of requirements, NOT an all out revamp. So the conditions are just gonna be less difficult to fulfill, but still difficult nonetheless. I guess the message is clear. The Msian government only want high net worth individuals there. Thailand seems like next best option, but its getting expensive to live there. Language is a big barrier as well.
Wow, this video aged poorly since 4:59 , those food stall was shutdown more than a month ago. It is a good video, I agree with most of the points shared.
I'm wondering if it makes sense to spend 3 months in Malaysia (Sarawak or peninsular), then travel to another country, and then repeat this process so I could spend half the year in Malaysia on a regular tourist visa (social pass) and make it my home base yet still travel to other countries in Asia or Europe. Avoiding the long-term visa process/fees and tax residency is starting to look like a better option than picking any one spot to retire permanently.
We know people who do this in other countries that have similar immigration rules, they spend 90 days in, then 90 days out, then repeat this. We personally prefer living somewhere that provides a resident permit so that we don't have to shuffle back and forth every three months. But finding a country that offers resident permits with reasonable requirements is becoming more and more difficult. I think the 90 day in/out rotation is going to become more common in the future.
Try applying for the Malaysian Digital Nomad Visa ( mdec.my / derantau / foreign ) or do what the Swedish UA-camr " DanAnna " did; they managed to stay in Malaysia for almost 9 months! From Koh Lipe Island in Thailand, they took the ferry to Malaysia through the west coast island of Langkawi (got 3 months), then they travelled down to Singapore (stayed for 2 weeks I think), returned again to Malaysia (got another 3 months), exited back to Thailand through Golok at east coast Malaysia/Thailand land border for a day, and somehow managed to convinced the Malaysian immigration officials there to allow them to return to Malaysia again (for another 3 months). 🤭😅
As soon as immigration sees the pattern of visa runs in your passport, it’s gonna raise questions. Visa running on the longterm is just not sustainable in the region here in SE Asia
S-MM2H requires a couple with 10,000 ringgits a monthly income PLUS 300,000 ringgits of bank deposit, it's pretty much a no go for most people. In addition to that, it also requires visa holders to reside in Sarawak AT LEAST 30 days in one calendar year. It is merely a long term visa, not a resident permit like green card equivalent.
Yes, I think there are fewer applications for S-MM2H compared to somewhere like Thailand because of these rules you mention. I hope the requirements become more reasonable in the future.
@snailtravelers I am not sure if both of you are over the age of 50, if so, the so called retirement visa non O visa may be the one you should look into for Thailand, although each candidate would be required to deposit 800,000 thai bahts in a thai bank, about 28000 usd.
Welcome back ... Nice to watch your videos again after some time guys and as a Sarawakian and a Kuchingnite, I would like to thank you for this video of my homecity of Kuching, Sarawak ... Thank you ... 😉
Didn’t mention that English is widely spoken and more understood compared to other parts of Malaysia. Almost everything is in English. Most films and videos are in English or has English subtitles.
Hi guys, welcome back to Malaysia. So honoured that you visited Kuching, where I stay. Do take time to explore more, and feel free to ask if you need any help about Kuching.
Stumbled upon your channel. My husband & I are also thinking about this particular area for the slower life instead of KL, also the visa for retirement are definitely cheaper. Are you both still thinking of this area for settling? 😊
We go to Malaysia often and love it. Unfortunately we got bored in Kuching. Planned a month's stay, but 2 weeks in the wife said, "I'm bored, let's go."😂 It's a beautiful city, delicious food, but some of the malls and areas seemed like they were closing down. Maybe covid effects? 😢
Thanks for sharing your experience. We didn't get bored in Kuching, but we were there when there were a lot of celebrations going on. Thank you for watching!
Too many foreigners already residing in Kuching whether they're married with locals or becoming citizens. You should try one to eat Sarawak Laksa at Padungan, made famous by the late Anthony Bourdain. Who knows next time you will bump into Henry Golding
@@snailtravelers in the north you can find some Americans as well because most of them.work for oilfield service companies and married with locals. In my village that is only 35 mins drive from Kuching had 2 Americans residing there. One from Arizona and Ohio.
Have you considered visiting kota kinabalu Sabah were thay have same environment as Kuching i think but it have a place call kundasang that is somewere near the mountain kinabalu the temperature there is chill cool enought i think .. but the capital is temperature is a normal borneo humidity weather.
This is very good information about Sabah, thanks for sharing! We hope to visit Sabah the next time we go to Malaysia. We are also waiting to see the requirements for Sabah's MM2H program, the details will hopefully be available soon.
You can try to apply for Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa. The Japanese couple in iChang yourube channel stays in Malaysia with such visa. They create video contents on Malaysia just like you. Since you promote Malaysia, you should get able to get the visa (1-2 years).
Thank you very much for this information! The digital nomad visa is definitely something we would consider in the future if we meet the requirements. Thanks again.
@@snailtravelersThe digital nomad visa Malaysia is offered through Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and officially called the DE Rantau programme. The DE Rantau Malaysia digital nomad pass was launched in October 2022, and allows foreigners to get a visa for 3 to 12 months, to work remotely or as a freelancer in Malaysia.
We're looking for a Plan B, another place we could go if we ever have to leave Turkey. The rules to get a resident permit here in Turkey are constantly changing and have become much more difficult. It looks like we should be grandfathered in under the old rules so we should be okay. But you never know, so if we ever need to leave Turkey then we would like to have a back-up location. I hope you guys are doing well and enjoying your world travels!
Ryan & Emily, thanks again for another fabulous review of one of the state in my country. I have yet to visit Sarawak but I have just been to Sabah for the 1st time in many decades. Majority of all my siblings, relatives and friends all agrees that there are more things to see and do in Sabah compared to Sarawak. Have you been to Sabah? Would appreciate your views. Thanks.
Thanks so much! It's terrific that you were able to travel to Sabah recently. It must have been a nice trip because we have heard so many wonderful things about Sabah and KK. We have been to every state in Malaysia except for Sabah and Perlis. We hope to visit those states on our next trip to Malaysia. Thanks for watching our videos and for your dedication to our channel!
Dec 4, 2023 - Positive changes are coming soon for the revision of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. “It will be announced in mid-December after a thorough review,” said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister. He said significant modifications had been made to the existing strict conditions for applications of the programme.
This is terrific news, thank you for sharing! I think it will be helpful to many people if the requirements are easier. Thanks again for this information.
So it's seems for a single person under $1500 USD per month income and $31,000 deposit in local bank .. That's doable for many and much lower that the Malaysia mainland.
As I can see this video was posted about 8 months ago...Has anything changed as far as the requirements for the SMM2H Visa? Do you still need to have an income of 7K per month?
My understanding is that they dropped the monthly income requirement, but it is difficult to find firm information. The fixed deposit amount is still required, RM150K for singles and RM300K for married couples. There's a Facebook group called Sarawak My Second Home Group that is helpful. Thanks for watching!
Might be a bit off topic 🤭. But I am travelling to Turkey next February. I was just wondering is it still cheap to travel to Turkey? Like is the food & accommodation there, is it cheaper or more expensive than Malaysia? I have tried to do my research but seems like I cant get a definite answer, particularly on the food costs.
I think Turkey used to be cheaper than Malaysia, but prices in Turkey have been going up. I would guess that prices in Malaysia and Turkey are similar now. And Istanbul is more expensive than the rest of the country, especially the touristy neighborhoods. Restaurant prices in Turkey are probably a little higher than Malaysia, but more meat is served with a meal in Turkey. We made a video comparing Turkey and Malaysia if you are interested: ua-cam.com/video/vWQKqtSqvaQ/v-deo.html
Yes indeed! I have tried to learn how to use chopsticks several times but always fail. Emily is very good at using chopsticks, hopefully I will be good at it too someday.
@@snailtravelersThere’s no shame in getting yourself a pair of ‘cheater’ chopsticks that are connected at the end to get some practice. You could easily carry and re-use them! I’m okay with chopsticks but have developed some arthritis, so I may end up with a pair myself soon! 😊 You just popped up in my feed, and really like this first video! Heading off to watch more. Nice overview!
@snailtravelers I would be hesitant to put down roots in Malaysia if immigration policy constantly changes. You invest your time, effort, emotion on a place you love, then suddenly you realize you may have to move again, it's hard on anyone.
The main thing that doesn't change is that East has their own immigration. A visa that you get to live in West may not neceserily allow you to live in East. Even West Malaysians are not allowed to live in East Malaysia without a proper visa. If they go to visit they get social visit passes, despite being within Malaysia.
Thank you. Quick Question: 1- Did you hear Call to Prayer (azaan/adhan) five times a day? 2- If you go for SMM2H, what if govt. decides to freeze/ban MM2H? What you will do then? I mean you won't be actually a citizen there, rather a tenant living in Malaysia. If you have thought of this, what outcome have you figured out?
Thanks for your questions. The apartment where we stayed was very close to a mosque and we could hear the call to prayer. But it didn't really bother us (we have lived in Turkey for two years and have gotten used to it). For immigration, the good thing is that so far the rules that are in place when you get S-MM2H or MM2H stay with you even if the rules change later. So you once you get your MM2H visa you can ignore any changes to the rules, you will be under the old rules. That being said, it's always good to have a Plan B because if the government really wanted to they could cancel all visas and make all foreigners leave (not likely, but possible).
@@solesurvivor005 Well, they actually did cancel it for a few years starting in 2020. The good news is that there was no impact on anyone who had MM2H before 2020, they were allowed to stay. I think once you have already been approved for MM2H, the chances that they would cancel your visa is very low.
I don't have to ask you about sushi restaurant this time because i know in Malaysia we have nice sushi restaurant! Are you still in Kuching? I suggests you to try the 3 layers milk tea in food court or restaurants here. You might already try it in KL or Penang, but this drink was originally came from Sarawak, so why not give it a try? Another place i suggests is Jong crocodile farm, it is the largest crocodile farm in Malaysia. Please check online for the feeding time and visit during that period. The feeding time is something you don't want to miss.
Great video. New subscriber. If you do obtain a visa for Sarawak, after you spend the required 30 days a year there, could you spend the rest of the year in another part of Malaysia, like KL or Penang?
Previously there were no restrictions and residing in West Malaysia was allowed. But people who have gotten their visa recently have had a statement included in the terms and conditions that residing in West Malaysia with S-MM2H is prohibited. It seems like this loophole is no longer an option for now. But maybe the rules will change again in the future.
@@snailtravelersThe ability to travel "through" Peninsula Malaysia still exists but the statements forbids "residence in". So the Federal Government seems to not want the income. But there seems no means of enforcing this as there is no immigration check into peninsula Malaysia fromvEast Malaysia. So no time stamp is put on your passport. And Sarawak is only concerned about the 1 month visit requirement. There are folks who reside in the Peninsula who only fulfill their 1 month/year requirement who have received their 5 year extension stamp. I haven't heard of one rejection or warning. My suggestion is to not purchase property in West Malaysia, leave the country occasionally, and spend a bit more time in Sarawak and Sabah.
This is all great information, thank you so much for sharing! Based on your UA-cam account name, I think you actively post in the Sarawak My Second Home Facebook group - if that's you then I want to say another 'thank you' because your posts are very helpful. We were working with an agent to help us apply for the federal MM2H but the program was shut down when we were in the middle of the application process in 2020. After that we decided to live in Turkey, but we are keeping our eyes on all the MM2H developments (federal, Sarawak, and Sabah). Thank you once again for providing so much great information in this comment and on Facebook if that is you.
You may face enquiries when you reenter Sarawak. Because as long as you exit Sarawak to other parts of Malaysia, its like leaving a country. Sarawak is like an independent country in this situation
@snailtravelers Turkiye has been on my list, however, the possibility of having earthquake and the unpredictable attacks happened from time to time kind of make me think twice.
Welcome back to Malaysia. You will have good purchasing power with your strong US dollar. Remember to visit Alor Setar (Kedah) when you head for Penang. Enjoy your stay. While in Kucing, do take a one-day one night trip to the nearby Bako National Park, where you could see the unique big-nose Proboscis monkeys in the wild while treking. The new unity government of Malaysia (1 year old) will soon revise MM2H conditions to encourage more visitors. The current Tourism Minister is from Sarawak. We will have a new King (from Johor) in January.
Forget kedah and langkawi- they imposed strict Islamic laws No skirts No shorts No speedos No bikinis No alcohol Bring your marriage certificate when you booked into a hotel in certain states- syariah officers can break in and demand to see your marriage certificate
@snailtravelers I recommend Yunnan and Sichuan province. Americans can get a 10 year visa with each entry good for at least 90 to 120 days stay, some even get 180 days. And there are no limits on how many entries per year, so literally you cam do visa run in China.
Both Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan have many cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur, with price less than $100 usd one way can be found.
Wow, that is hard question to answer, both Kuching and Ipoh are fantastic cities. Because of the immigration rules right now, we would have to choose Kuching. But if the immigration wasn't a problem then it would be difficult to choose one. We like Ipoh because it has great food and it is so easy to get to other places in West Malaysia like the beautiful Cameron Highlands. But we love the riverfront in Kuching. It would be a difficult decision but would probably choose Ipoh.
@@snailtravelers thanks for responding. Thinking of relocating from the UK in the next few yrs and Ipoh seems to be top for us. Immigration would not be an issue I don't think as we would be putting kids in private school and coming as guardians.
The best thing about Kuching for me is that it has that “chill” factor. The vibes are slow and the traffic is great. There are many modern buildings with interesting characters, but a lot of old elegant colonial buildings are preserved. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia with 2 official languages: Bahasa Malaysia and English. And also the only state where the majority of people are Christians (over 50%) who are mostly the indigenous peoples.
Very good information, thank you very much for sharing!
As a native Sarawakian i confirm your comment....
When you used the word "chill" I thought you meant that Kuching would be a lot less oppressively hot and humid!
I finally went to Malaysia last month and it was amazing! I think the food is now my favorite. Thanks for the information. We will head to Kuching next.
Terrific! I think you will really enjoy Kuching, it truly is a fantastic place.
Welcome to Kuching. Sarawak is a model state of unity and harmony. Sarawakians celebrate festivities together, share the same table at eateries, support each other’s businesses regardless of their religious or racial backgrounds.
Yes indeed, we agree with you about these strengths that Sarawak provides. We think your description of Sarawak is very accurate. Thanks for watching our video!
@@snailtravelers ua-cam.com/video/CArT23BsbTk/v-deo.htmlsi=0dlQA9Q8F7pQeFPS
Hello. I happened to search Kuching on UA-cam and came across your video. My family also recently immigrated from South Korea to Kuching. It's so good that I wonder if there's another city in Southeast Asia with clean, safe, and peaceful streets like this. In particular, perhaps because the city was formed around the airport, all the buildings are low and the view of the sky is great. As someone who now lives in Kuching, I would like to thank you for capturing the beauty of Kuching in video. Please keep making good videos in the future!
Thank you very much for writing this very kind comment!
I am travelling to kuching soon. 😊😊😊
Welcome back to my beloved country of Malaysia... I remembered you as one of those youtubers who stuck in Malaysia during the covid MCO.. We are so glad to see u again here in Malaysia..
Thank you very much for remembering us and for welcoming us back!
@@snailtravelers My pleasure 😊
I Loved Kuching! Maybe my fav city in all SE Asia. Came through there on a moto trip around/across all Borneo/Indsonesia. Laksa Rules!
Wow, that sounds like quite an adventure, taking a moto trip around Borneo. How long did you spend touring around?
all total about 6 months malay/indo, plus another year around many of the PH islands, and a winter 3 months all vietnam and some cambodia/laos. .@@snailtravelers
@@tomsewell2462 That sounds fantastic!
Something seems different about you guys in this recent video. I really liked Kuching. Very laid back and slow-paced. I was there in early August last year and found the weather good. Not too hot compared to KL and Penang.
Thanks! Not sure what's different about us, maybe just excited to be back in Malaysia again! I'm glad you enjoyed visiting Kuching, it is indeed a fabulous place.
As Sarawakian, who worked in Peninsular, thank you for loving my state.
You are welcome, and thank you for watching!
Hi I also have the SMM2H but when I applied which was in 2021 I only needed myr7500 a month with no deposit and have to stay in Sarawak for 15 days annually so I will be coming in January.
The rest of the time I go between Penang and UK
Congratulations on having the S-MM2H visa and that you got it before the financial rules became more difficult. I think you made the right decision to get the visa when you did.
They have combined the two requirements. It caught a lot f new applicants out as retirees often don't have both enough cash for a fixed deposit AND have a pension/salary. They now have a third option for proof of financial capability for those without pension/salary...sufficient foreign savings account.
Wonderful. Thank you for this video. Ryan, Emily, I hope that you guys have had a good time in Kuching. All the best to you guys securing the MM2H.
Thank you very much Yasin.
@@snailtravelers 😀
I would mention that there's an additional option for the Proof of Income requirement. They now allow a proof of sufficient money in a foreign
savings account (Rm100,000 couple/RM 50,000 single) for the past 6 months. That's about $21,000/$10,500. Still have to submit the fixed deposit, as well as the proof of financial sustainability, though.😮
For transportation, currently the ART Tram is under construction. Kuching is the first city in the world to use an ART system with clean hydrogen energy. Sarawak uses hydrogen for electricity across the state. There is a hydrogen bus as well in Kuching today.
I watched a video about the new trams, I think it be very beneficial to the city. Thanks for sharing!
@@snailtravelers Yeah, I think Kuching is a good place to live. The ART construction is quite fast because Johor Bahru used to implement the ART first but seems like they changed the plan for LRT or MRT to complement the current project RTS.
My British brother in law eat laksa every morning for 2 weeks when he was here in kuching.
@@cherubimcherubim9515 I can understand, it is so delicious!
It has been such a long time since ur last upload. Glad u n ur wife r back n this time to Sarawak. Hve been watching your videos since the MCO where both of u were stuck in Malaysia. Hve been a silent subcriber since. Love all yr previous videos. Keep blogging, Ryan n Emily n happy travelling.
Thank you so much for this very kind comment, and thank you for watching our Malaysia videos!
Good on you guys. have fun!!!. It is a very good place to stay in Sarawak. Snake and orang utan park.
Welcome to sarawak, east Malaysia, thankyou for sharing your experience in Sarawak, you are most welcome to stay here in this wonderful land of sarawak, have a nice day, Gb.
Thank you very much for the welcome!
Wow so nice to see you guys back in Malaysia.......selamat datang...selamat kembali....
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing
Welcome back to Malaysia
Thank you!
Go to any rumah asap for a drink..👍👍👍👍
Wow... You're back
Great video, thanks for sharing! 😊
Thanks for watching!
Very interesting video. We took a good hard look at Kuching, but never made it there. Your video certainly makes it look appealing. Maybe we will get there the next time we are in the area.
Thanks! We know you guys really like Malaysia, and we think Kuching is just as fabulous as the rest of the country. Thanks, as always, for watching.
thank you so very much sir for this video...kuching is my birth place..but i left kuching in 1990 and live in SWEETWATER TEXAS..since than i never went back even though im back to Malaysia (2013..now stay in Johor)...kuching today is has changed alot ... more modernized than in the 90s...
i hope someday I'll be back home...
Thank you for sharing this! I hope one day you can return to Kuching to visit your hometown. Are any members of your family still in Kuching?
@@snailtravelers yupp., elder brother and younger sister...yeah.. maybe next year I'll be back there....
Just at the right time !!
I was exploring Kuching as a future retirement option and plan to visit here one day myself !!
The offshore income part doesnt make sense at all because how are you expecting people who are there to retire to be drawing income to begin with? 40K Ringgit is more than 8.5K USD for goodness sake.
Another flaw with the non federal MM2H visas are that you have to live in those states EXCLUSIVELY.
Seems like they took off the flexibility option to live in other states which is a MAJOR BUMMER.
Is that ok for you though?
Yes, it seems like the rules get more and more difficult. There are rumors that the requirements might change again soon, hopefully for the better. The requirement to live only in Sarawak with S-MM2H wouldn't be a problem for us because really like Kuching a lot. Thanks for watching!
@@snailtravelers Yes, there will be changes soon, but based on articles I've read and news I've heard, all likelihood it is a lowering of requirements, NOT an all out revamp.
So the conditions are just gonna be less difficult to fulfill, but still difficult nonetheless.
I guess the message is clear. The Msian government only want high net worth individuals there.
Thailand seems like next best option, but its getting expensive to live there. Language is a big barrier as well.
EMILY and Ryan. I was thinking of you. I am excited I remembered how to find you on you tube I love keeping up with you all. Love you
Thank you Jen! It's great to hear from you!
Welcome back guys.. You guys will love kuching.its very laid back city
Thanks for the nice welcome!
I'm a from Kuching, Sarawak. For me i always said Kuching is the best. Less traffic jam, friendly, cosy, peaceful, food..cheap..
You are from a terrific city! Thank you for watching and for your kind comment
Wonderful video! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Sharing to everyone of Jesus Christ, He is coming back. We are spiritually saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord God and Savior.
Hi Teacher! Welcome back. Hope you have another wonderful journey and adventure in Malaysia.
Thank you so much. I remember you from your comments on our earlier Malaysia videos. Thanks for welcoming us back!
Hello and welcome again. I remembered the lock down at Cameron highlands
Thank you! It seems crazy that our lockdown in Cameron Highlands was almost 4 years ago. Thanks for watching our videos!
Another entertaing and informative video (sorry if my comments are repetittive!) Many thanks & best regards.
Thanks once again for watching our video!
You'll get used to the weather once you settle in after a few months. All the best and good luck.
Thank you very much!
Wow, this video aged poorly since 4:59 , those food stall was shutdown more than a month ago.
It is a good video, I agree with most of the points shared.
It's sad that those food stalls are now closed. Thanks for sharing this information.
Living expenses is moderate middle range compare with other state in Malaysia but inflation rate is very high in comparison with 5 year's ago.
@@albert5862 Thanks for sharing this information!
Awesome...welcome to kuching sarawak brothers and sisters✌
Thank you for the warm welcome!
I'm wondering if it makes sense to spend 3 months in Malaysia (Sarawak or peninsular), then travel to another country, and then repeat this process so I could spend half the year in Malaysia on a regular tourist visa (social pass) and make it my home base yet still travel to other countries in Asia or Europe. Avoiding the long-term visa process/fees and tax residency is starting to look like a better option than picking any one spot to retire permanently.
We know people who do this in other countries that have similar immigration rules, they spend 90 days in, then 90 days out, then repeat this. We personally prefer living somewhere that provides a resident permit so that we don't have to shuffle back and forth every three months. But finding a country that offers resident permits with reasonable requirements is becoming more and more difficult. I think the 90 day in/out rotation is going to become more common in the future.
@snailtravelers I agree, at some point, you need a place you can call HOME, rather than packing and unpacking
Try applying for the Malaysian Digital Nomad Visa ( mdec.my / derantau / foreign ) or do what the Swedish UA-camr " DanAnna " did; they managed to stay in Malaysia for almost 9 months!
From Koh Lipe Island in Thailand, they took the ferry to Malaysia through the west coast island of Langkawi (got 3 months), then they travelled down to Singapore (stayed for 2 weeks I think), returned again to Malaysia (got another 3 months), exited back to Thailand through Golok at east coast Malaysia/Thailand land border for a day, and somehow managed to convinced the Malaysian immigration officials there to allow them to return to Malaysia again (for another 3 months). 🤭😅
@@warungista9737 It can get very old and tiring .
As soon as immigration sees the pattern of visa runs in your passport, it’s gonna raise questions. Visa running on the longterm is just not sustainable in the region here in SE Asia
Welcome back 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you!
S-MM2H requires a couple with 10,000 ringgits a monthly income PLUS 300,000 ringgits of bank deposit, it's pretty much a no go for most people. In addition to that, it also requires visa holders to reside in Sarawak AT LEAST 30 days in one calendar year. It is merely a long term visa, not a resident permit like green card equivalent.
Yes, I think there are fewer applications for S-MM2H compared to somewhere like Thailand because of these rules you mention. I hope the requirements become more reasonable in the future.
@@snailtravelers Thailand has its own annoying immigration policy and rules.
Yes indeed, and the rules for Thailand have the potential to change as well.
@snailtravelers I am not sure if both of you are over the age of 50, if so, the so called retirement visa non O visa may be the one you should look into for Thailand, although each candidate would be required to deposit 800,000 thai bahts in a thai bank, about 28000 usd.
Thanks for this info, it is very helpful.
I came across ur video while searching info on kuching. I am traveling soon
Enjoy your trip!
Welcome back ... Nice to watch your videos again after some time guys and as a Sarawakian and a Kuchingnite, I would like to thank you for this video of my homecity of Kuching, Sarawak ... Thank you ... 😉
You live in a fabulous city! Thanks for watching our video.
Didn’t mention that English is widely spoken and more understood compared to other parts of Malaysia. Almost everything is in English. Most films and videos are in English or has English subtitles.
Good info, thanks for sharing! We had no trouble communicating since almost everyone speaks English. Thank you again.
welcome to Kuching..do enjoy Sarawak..😊
Thank you!
Oh ur back
Welcome back... have a nice trip..
Thank you!
Top guide for living in Kucing.
Welcome back to malaysia 🤗
Thank you very much!
🤗🙏
Have a lot beautiful and peaceful place to explore in Sarawak. Cave, jungle, river, food, culture and many more.
Yes indeed, and there is a lot that we didn't get to see (which means that we need to go back to Sarawk again!)
Welcome back to Malaysia. Do enjoy your stay
Thank you for the warm welcome!
@@snailtravelers you're welcome
Welcome back ❤❤❤
Thanks!
Hi guys, welcome back to Malaysia. So honoured that you visited Kuching, where I stay. Do take time to explore more, and feel free to ask if you need any help about Kuching.
Thanks so much for the friendly comment!
@@snailtravelers u may want to check on the newly improvised MM2H programme. Heard it has become more attractive.
Welcome back Ryan and Emily❤🎉
Thank you very much!
Malaysia ❤️ Ryan & Emily.
Subbhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, masha Allah,,Wellcom to Kuching Sarawak Malaysia, Sir!😊🖐
Thank you for the friendly welcome!
Took us 3 days to fully explore the museum. Just browsing! Not even trying to read or stop at any booth
Yes, the museum is huge! We loved the museum and definitely want to spend more time there on our next visit to Kuching. Thanks for watching!
I agree with you about the Malaysian food. I lived in Singapore for a few months and they offered Malaysian food there of course.
Singapore and Malaysia have similar food
Yes indeed, Malaysia and Singapore share a lot of similarities with food. Thanks for watching!
Welcome back. Or welcome home. ❤
Thank you for this welcome!
Kuching, city of unity
Stumbled upon your channel. My husband & I are also thinking about this particular area for the slower life instead of KL, also the visa for retirement are definitely cheaper. Are you both still thinking of this area for settling? 😊
We actually settled in Turkey but are always thinking of back-up locations in case we have to move sometime in the future. Thanks for watching!
@@snailtravelersthank you we have a lot of your videos to catch up on! Look forward to the Turkey videos as well. Take care
When are u planning to stay here?Sarawak a place like no other like .Welcome to Sarawak
Thank you for the welcome! We enjoyed our time in Sarawak and hope to come again soon.
Sarawakians ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ .
We go to Malaysia often and love it. Unfortunately we got bored in Kuching. Planned a month's stay, but 2 weeks in the wife said, "I'm bored, let's go."😂 It's a beautiful city, delicious food, but some of the malls and areas seemed like they were closing down. Maybe covid effects? 😢
Thanks for sharing your experience. We didn't get bored in Kuching, but we were there when there were a lot of celebrations going on. Thank you for watching!
Too many foreigners already residing in Kuching whether they're married with locals or becoming citizens. You should try one to eat Sarawak Laksa at Padungan, made famous by the late Anthony Bourdain. Who knows next time you will bump into Henry Golding
Thanks for sharing.
@@snailtravelers in the north you can find some Americans as well because most of them.work for oilfield service companies and married with locals. In my village that is only 35 mins drive from Kuching had 2 Americans residing there. One from Arizona and Ohio.
Wait what, you guys are back again! 🙂
Yes indeed!
Have you considered visiting kota kinabalu Sabah were thay have same environment as Kuching i think but it have a place call kundasang that is somewere near the mountain kinabalu the temperature there is chill cool enought i think .. but the capital is temperature is a normal borneo humidity weather.
This is very good information about Sabah, thanks for sharing! We hope to visit Sabah the next time we go to Malaysia. We are also waiting to see the requirements for Sabah's MM2H program, the details will hopefully be available soon.
You can try to apply for Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa. The Japanese couple in iChang yourube channel stays in Malaysia with such visa. They create video contents on Malaysia just like you. Since you promote Malaysia, you should get able to get the visa (1-2 years).
Thank you very much for this information! The digital nomad visa is definitely something we would consider in the future if we meet the requirements. Thanks again.
@@snailtravelersThe digital nomad visa Malaysia is offered through Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and officially called the DE Rantau programme. The DE Rantau Malaysia digital nomad pass was launched in October 2022, and allows foreigners to get a visa for 3 to 12 months, to work remotely or as a freelancer in Malaysia.
It’s a one year visa, only renewable once and you need to show regular income from digital content creating. It’s not for retirees.
Most of those visas aren't valid for Sarawak or east Malaysia. Sarawak has their own immigration and visa programme within Malaysia
I'm not sure about that, spending first to see the results
1:47 The late Anthony Bourdain favorite dishes
Great you like Sarawak over West Malaysia
I always tell my kiddo : never try, never know~😊
Very true!
Good info! You looking to move from Turkey?
We're looking for a Plan B, another place we could go if we ever have to leave Turkey. The rules to get a resident permit here in Turkey are constantly changing and have become much more difficult. It looks like we should be grandfathered in under the old rules so we should be okay. But you never know, so if we ever need to leave Turkey then we would like to have a back-up location. I hope you guys are doing well and enjoying your world travels!
Ryan & Emily, thanks again for another fabulous review of one of the state in my country. I have yet to visit Sarawak but I have just been to Sabah for the 1st time in many decades. Majority of all my siblings, relatives and friends all agrees that there are more things to see and do in Sabah compared to Sarawak. Have you been to Sabah? Would appreciate your views. Thanks.
Thanks so much! It's terrific that you were able to travel to Sabah recently. It must have been a nice trip because we have heard so many wonderful things about Sabah and KK. We have been to every state in Malaysia except for Sabah and Perlis. We hope to visit those states on our next trip to Malaysia. Thanks for watching our videos and for your dedication to our channel!
Sabah = dirty place.
RM7000 monthly income...that would be living like a Rajah.
OK, maybe not in an Astana, but that's a lot of Kolo Mees, Laksas or Midins.
Yes indeed, ha ha!
Dec 4, 2023 - Positive changes are coming soon for the revision of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
“It will be announced in mid-December after a thorough review,” said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister.
He said significant modifications had been made to the existing strict conditions for applications of the programme.
This is terrific news, thank you for sharing! I think it will be helpful to many people if the requirements are easier. Thanks again for this information.
@@snailtravelersthere will be 3 different classes of revamped MM2H: Platinum, Gold and Silver. Details to come up soon.
im Malaysian if u come to sarawak the lksa is a must have
Yes indeed! Thank you!
@@snailtravelers No problem! 😁
So it's seems for a single person under $1500 USD per month income and $31,000 deposit in local bank .. That's doable for many and much lower that the Malaysia mainland.
Completely agree, thanks for watching!
This new visa is valid for all country ? Or only some regions’
Its ONLY Sarawak now.
@@sihanchen7552 mm sad, thanks for the info
As I can see this video was posted about 8 months ago...Has anything changed as far as the requirements for the SMM2H Visa? Do you still need to have an income of 7K per month?
My understanding is that they dropped the monthly income requirement, but it is difficult to find firm information. The fixed deposit amount is still required, RM150K for singles and RM300K for married couples. There's a Facebook group called Sarawak My Second Home Group that is helpful. Thanks for watching!
@@snailtravelers Thanks for your prompt reply ...
Roti canai is actually an Indian food and the Malaysian version has been voted the `best bread in the world' by the international institution.
Good information, thank you! Roti canai is my favorite thing to eat in Malaysia.
Everything start with spending...
Might be a bit off topic 🤭. But I am travelling to Turkey next February. I was just wondering is it still cheap to travel to Turkey? Like is the food & accommodation there, is it cheaper or more expensive than Malaysia? I have tried to do my research but seems like I cant get a definite answer, particularly on the food costs.
I think Turkey used to be cheaper than Malaysia, but prices in Turkey have been going up. I would guess that prices in Malaysia and Turkey are similar now. And Istanbul is more expensive than the rest of the country, especially the touristy neighborhoods. Restaurant prices in Turkey are probably a little higher than Malaysia, but more meat is served with a meal in Turkey. We made a video comparing Turkey and Malaysia if you are interested: ua-cam.com/video/vWQKqtSqvaQ/v-deo.html
@@snailtravelers Ah okay. Will check that out. If prices are around similar to Malaysia it wont be off my budget.
Interesting personal take on Malaysia's largest state. You probably want to learn how to use chopsticks asap, will make eating a lot easier.
Yes indeed! I have tried to learn how to use chopsticks several times but always fail. Emily is very good at using chopsticks, hopefully I will be good at it too someday.
@@snailtravelersThere’s no shame in getting yourself a pair of ‘cheater’ chopsticks that are connected at the end to get some practice. You could easily carry and re-use them! I’m okay with chopsticks but have developed some arthritis, so I may end up with a pair myself soon! 😊 You just popped up in my feed, and really like this first video! Heading off to watch more. Nice overview!
@@leapintothewild Thank you very much!
Malaysia immigration policy, either west Malaysia or east Malaysia, which sabah and sarawak locates, is changing constantly.
Yes that is very true, and we've been seeing rumors that it might be changing again soon. We'll see.
@snailtravelers I would be hesitant to put down roots in Malaysia if immigration policy constantly changes. You invest your time, effort, emotion on a place you love, then suddenly you realize you may have to move again, it's hard on anyone.
Yes, I agree, that would be very difficult.
The main thing that doesn't change is that East has their own immigration. A visa that you get to live in West may not neceserily allow you to live in East.
Even West Malaysians are not allowed to live in East Malaysia without a proper visa. If they go to visit they get social visit passes, despite being within Malaysia.
is waterfront not riverfront
Thank you. Quick Question:
1- Did you hear Call to Prayer (azaan/adhan) five times a day?
2- If you go for SMM2H, what if govt. decides to freeze/ban MM2H? What you will do then? I mean you won't be actually a citizen there, rather a tenant living in Malaysia. If you have thought of this, what outcome have you figured out?
Thanks for your questions. The apartment where we stayed was very close to a mosque and we could hear the call to prayer. But it didn't really bother us (we have lived in Turkey for two years and have gotten used to it). For immigration, the good thing is that so far the rules that are in place when you get S-MM2H or MM2H stay with you even if the rules change later. So you once you get your MM2H visa you can ignore any changes to the rules, you will be under the old rules. That being said, it's always good to have a Plan B because if the government really wanted to they could cancel all visas and make all foreigners leave (not likely, but possible).
@@snailtravelers Thanks for your response. What are the chances that govt. cancels MM2H?
@@solesurvivor005 Well, they actually did cancel it for a few years starting in 2020. The good news is that there was no impact on anyone who had MM2H before 2020, they were allowed to stay. I think once you have already been approved for MM2H, the chances that they would cancel your visa is very low.
Thanks for your frank opinion. I too hope SMM2H improves. Subscribed!
@@SufianLau Thanks for watching and subscribing!
I don't have to ask you about sushi restaurant this time because i know in Malaysia we have nice sushi restaurant!
Are you still in Kuching? I suggests you to try the 3 layers milk tea in food court or restaurants here. You might already try it in KL or Penang, but this drink was originally came from Sarawak, so why not give it a try?
Another place i suggests is Jong crocodile farm, it is the largest crocodile farm in Malaysia. Please check online for the feeding time and visit during that period. The feeding time is something you don't want to miss.
Ha ha, thanks! We have left Kuching, but you have provided us with some good suggestions for activities for the next time we go. Thanks!
More than 3 months are easy possible? I doubt about it
Three months is the limit for Americans that don't have MM2H or S-MM2H.
Great video. New subscriber. If you do obtain a visa for Sarawak, after you spend the required 30 days a year there, could you spend the rest of the year in another part of Malaysia, like KL or Penang?
Previously there were no restrictions and residing in West Malaysia was allowed. But people who have gotten their visa recently have had a statement included in the terms and conditions that residing in West Malaysia with S-MM2H is prohibited. It seems like this loophole is no longer an option for now. But maybe the rules will change again in the future.
@@snailtravelersThe ability to travel "through" Peninsula Malaysia still exists but the statements forbids "residence in". So the Federal Government seems to not want the income. But there seems no means of enforcing this as there is no immigration check into peninsula Malaysia fromvEast Malaysia. So no time stamp is put on your passport. And Sarawak is only concerned about the 1 month visit requirement. There are folks who reside in the Peninsula who only fulfill their 1 month/year requirement who have received their 5 year extension stamp. I haven't heard of one rejection or warning. My suggestion is to not purchase property in West Malaysia, leave the country occasionally, and spend a bit more time in Sarawak and Sabah.
This is all great information, thank you so much for sharing! Based on your UA-cam account name, I think you actively post in the Sarawak My Second Home Facebook group - if that's you then I want to say another 'thank you' because your posts are very helpful. We were working with an agent to help us apply for the federal MM2H but the program was shut down when we were in the middle of the application process in 2020. After that we decided to live in Turkey, but we are keeping our eyes on all the MM2H developments (federal, Sarawak, and Sabah). Thank you once again for providing so much great information in this comment and on Facebook if that is you.
You may face enquiries when you reenter Sarawak. Because as long as you exit Sarawak to other parts of Malaysia, its like leaving a country. Sarawak is like an independent country in this situation
Sarawak laksa is the breakfast of gods according to the late Anthony bourdain
I can understand this statement, Sarawak laksa is fabulous!
Please don’t forget to go to Manila, Philippines and Jakarta, Indonesia
❤❤❤❤❤
Foreigners should not have any problem in Sarawak because most Sarawakian can speak English which is the 2nd language in Sarawak.
Thank you very much for sharing this!
foods are only reasonable for foreigners, for locals, some of them are mind boggling, Sarawak has the highest inflation rate in Malaysia
👍👍😊
Do you have a permanent place in Turkiye ？
Yes we do, but the immigration rules here in Turkiye continue to change, so we want to have a back-up plan in place.
@snailtravelers Turkiye has been on my list, however, the possibility of having earthquake and the unpredictable attacks happened from time to time kind of make me think twice.
@@littletravelmonkey6727 We worry about earthquakes in Turkiye too. No worries in Malaysia, very few earthquakes there.
The new MM2H has just been announced with lower requirements. Please check out.
Thank you! Those requirements, especially for the silver level, are more reasonable. I will put an update in the video description. Thank you!
Welcome back to Malaysia. You will have good purchasing power with your strong US dollar. Remember to visit Alor Setar (Kedah) when you head for Penang. Enjoy your stay.
While in Kucing, do take a one-day one night trip to the nearby Bako National Park, where you could see the unique big-nose Proboscis monkeys in the wild while treking.
The new unity government of Malaysia (1 year old) will soon revise MM2H conditions to encourage more visitors. The current Tourism Minister is from Sarawak. We will have a new King (from Johor) in January.
Thank you for the warm welcome!
Forget kedah and langkawi- they imposed strict Islamic laws
No skirts
No shorts
No speedos
No bikinis
No alcohol
Bring your marriage certificate when you booked into a hotel in certain states- syariah officers can break in and demand to see your marriage certificate
Have you ever considered traveling to China ？
I visited China in 2007 and do hope to go back sometime to see other areas of the country. Thanks for your comments and for watching our video!
@snailtravelers I recommend Yunnan and Sichuan province. Americans can get a 10 year visa with each entry good for at least 90 to 120 days stay, some even get 180 days. And there are no limits on how many entries per year, so literally you cam do visa run in China.
Both Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan have many cheap flights to Kuala Lumpur, with price less than $100 usd one way can be found.
Kuching or Ipoh??
Wow, that is hard question to answer, both Kuching and Ipoh are fantastic cities. Because of the immigration rules right now, we would have to choose Kuching. But if the immigration wasn't a problem then it would be difficult to choose one. We like Ipoh because it has great food and it is so easy to get to other places in West Malaysia like the beautiful Cameron Highlands. But we love the riverfront in Kuching. It would be a difficult decision but would probably choose Ipoh.
@@snailtravelers thanks for responding. Thinking of relocating from the UK in the next few yrs and Ipoh seems to be top for us. Immigration would not be an issue I don't think as we would be putting kids in private school and coming as guardians.