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Expat Relocation Guide to Kota Kinabalu

Last updated: 10 March 2026

Visa Options

MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home)

Federal MM2H tiers (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, checked 6 October 2026): Silver, 5-year renewable pass: USD150,000 fixed deposit, residence of RM600,000 or above, one-off RM1,000 participating fee per principal applicant. Gold, 15-year pass: USD500,000 deposit, residence of RM1 million or above, RM3,000 fee. Platinum, 20-year pass: USD1 million deposit, residence of RM2 million or above, RM200,000 fee. Key rules: property purchase mandatory, the residence cannot be sold for 10 years, a medical check-up at a panel clinic is compulsory, health insurance is among the documents needed to renew the pass, and 90 days (cumulative) in Malaysia each year.

Employment Pass

Revised salary thresholds from 1 June 2026: Category I, RM20,000 or more a month; Category II, RM10,000 to RM19,999; Category III, RM5,000 to RM9,999. Category I and II passes are capped at 10 years in total and Category III at 5 years, with Category II and III subject to a succession plan (Malay Mail, 14 January 2026, checked 6 October 2026). For current fees and processing times, check the Expatriate Services Division at esd.imi.gov.my.

Professional Visit Pass

A short-term pass for expertise transfer, research, training, and volunteering. Check the current duration and fee with the Expatriate Services Division at esd.imi.gov.my.

Cost of Living

Costs depend heavily on housing, schooling and lifestyle. See our cost of living guide for a monthly breakdown.

Real Estate

Foreigners can buy property with restrictions. Minimum prices, the property types open to foreigners, state consent and stamp duty change from time to time, so check the current rules with the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department and a Sabah-admitted lawyer before you commit. The average price of all houses in Sabah was RM558,358 in the second quarter of 2026, a preliminary figure (NAPIC, Malaysian House Price Index tables Q2 2026, checked 6 October 2026). MM2H residences cannot be sold for 10 years (mm2h.gov.my, checked 6 October 2026).

International Schools

Kinabalu International School (KIS): English National Curriculum (UK), CIS-accredited, FOBISIA member (kis.edu.my, checked 6 October 2026). Current fees are on the school's fees and prospectus page. Ask other schools in KK for their current curriculum and fees directly.

Healthcare

MM2H renewal requires health insurance (mm2h.gov.my, checked 6 October 2026). Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu, a private hospital, lists 146 licensed beds and an ambulance and emergency line on 088-518 911 (Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu, checked 6 October 2026). See our healthcare guide for public and private options.

Banking & Driving

Banking

Banks in Malaysia include Maybank, CIMB, RHB and Public Bank. Each bank sets its own documents and minimum deposit for foreign customers, so ask the bank directly before you go.

Driving

Check whether your licence is valid in Malaysia, or whether you need an International Driving Permit, with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) before you drive. Rental companies set their own age limits and deposits.

Sabah vs Peninsular Malaysia

Sabah pros: natural beauty, less congestion, lower cost than KL, one of the fastest-growing cities, scenic lifestyle ideal for retirees. Sabah cons: fewer multinational firms, smaller expat community, more limited international schools, eastern Sabah security concerns, more limited imported goods due to cabotage shipping, and less developed expat infrastructure. If you're location-independent or retiring, Sabah is compelling. If you need corporate job opportunities, Peninsular may suit better.

Expat Community

KK's expat community is smaller than KL or Penang but growing. Connect via Facebook (Kota Kinabalu Expats), Meetup.com, ExpatBuddy, and InterNations. Most established expat organizations are centered in KL. Living in Sabah requires more self-sufficiency but rewards with a unique lifestyle.

Q How much does the MM2H visa cost?

Under the federal MM2H programme run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture: Silver (5-year pass) needs a USD150,000 fixed deposit, a residence of RM600,000 or above and a one-off RM1,000 participating fee per principal applicant; Gold (15-year pass) needs USD500,000, a residence of RM1 million or above and RM3,000; Platinum (20-year pass) needs USD1 million, a residence of RM2 million or above and RM200,000. All three require 90 days (cumulative) in Malaysia each year (mm2h.gov.my, checked 6 October 2026).

Q Can foreigners buy property in Sabah?

Yes, with restrictions. Minimum prices, the property types open to foreigners, state consent and stamp duty change from time to time, so check the current rules with the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department (jtu.sabah.gov.my) and a Sabah-admitted lawyer before you commit.

Q What is the monthly cost of living in KK?

It depends heavily on housing, schooling and lifestyle. See the SabahGuide cost of living guide for a monthly breakdown.

Q What international schools are available?

Kinabalu International School (KIS) in Kota Kinabalu teaches the English National Curriculum (UK), is CIS-accredited and is a FOBISIA member. Its current fees are published on the school fees and prospectus page of kis.edu.my (checked 6 October 2026).