Southeast Asia Retirement Visas: MM2H, Thai O-A/LTR & SRRV

Regulatory & Legal Advisory: Educational & Informational Content Only

The procedures, legal frameworks, tax laws, and visa requirements described in this guide reflect official guidelines and regulatory synthesis current as of publication. Immigration policies, tax treaties, and municipal requirements change frequently. This content is for educational and planning purposes only and cannot substitute for formal legal, tax, or immigration counsel. Readers must verify current requirements directly with relevant municipal city halls, the National Tax Agency (NTA), the Japan Pension Service, official embassies, or certified professional advisors (licensed immigration lawyers, certified tax accountants / Zeirishi).

Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines each offer long-stay routes for retirees, but they work very differently. Malaysia’s MM2H asks for a fixed deposit plus a home purchase, Thailand tests your bank balance or income, and the Philippines asks for a deposit in a bank accredited by its retirement authority. This guide compares the main routes as of October 2026 for people living in Japan, including the documents you need from Japan; budgets and insurance products are covered in the guides to retiring abroad on a Japanese pension and to senior healthcare abroad.

How Southeast Asian Retirement Visas Work

Three Models: Deposit-and-Property, Balance-or-Income, and Locked Deposit

Malaysia: deposit plus property. MM2H participants place a fixed deposit with a licensed financial institution in Malaysia and must buy a residence they cannot sell for 10 years except to upgrade; Sarawak’s version adds an income test.¹²

Thailand: balance or income. The O-A visa and the in-country retirement extension test a monthly income of 65,000 THB or a balance of 800,000 THB, which stays in your own account (as of October 2026).³⁴

Philippines: a deposit in an accredited bank. The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) requires a “requisite dollar deposit” remitted to a bank accredited by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), which restricts withdrawal but allows conversion into a condominium or long-term lease.⁵⁶

Work rights differ sharply. Business activity is “Permissible” only for MM2H Platinum, Sarawak allows limited part-time work, and the Thai O-A and O-X exclude work.¹²³⁷ The Board of Investment says LTR Wealthy Pensioners may apply for a digital work permit, and PRA lists “exemption from separate work/student visa or permits” among SRRV benefits (as of October 2026).⁸⁵

Who Can Apply: Age Floors and Eligible Nationalities

Route	Minimum age (as of October 2026)	Who is eligible
MM2H Silver, Gold, Platinum	251	Nationals of countries with diplomatic relations with Malaysia1
MM2H SEZ/SFZ	21 (the USD 32,000 band starts at 50)9	Same as above1
Sarawak S-MM2H	302	Countries with diplomatic relations with Malaysia, except Israel and North Korea2
Thai O-A	50 at application310	Applicants filing with a Thai mission in Japan; foreign residents see the citizens vs foreign residents section310
Thai retirement extension	504	Holders of a Non-Immigrant visa already in Thailand4
Thai O-X	507	Nationals and passport holders of 14 listed countries, including Japan7
Thai LTR Wealthy Pensioner	5011	Retirees with an annual pension or stable passive income11
Philippines SRRV	40, with separate bands for 40 to 49 and 50 and over12	Principal, spouse and unmarried children under 21; POGO/IGL workers are disqualified12

“Retirement” does not always mean old age. MM2H opens at 25 and the SRRV at 40, while every Thai route starts at 50.¹⁷¹² The SRRV floor of 40 comes from PRA’s Expanded SRRV Program, which replaces the age-50 rule in PRA’s Citizen’s Charter 2025 for new applicants.¹²⁶

Outside Southeast Asia, Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs issues a “Visitor Visa for Japanese Retirees (over age 55)” allowing non-extendable stays of 180 days per visit; it is a visitor visa, not residence status (as of October 2026).¹³

What a Retirement Visa Does Not Change in Japan

A foreign retirement visa does not decide your status in Japan. Japanese tax residence turns on domicile or residence under Japanese law, not on a visa issued abroad (see the guide to Japan tax residency rules), and the moving-out notification is a separate decision. Your pension can still be paid abroad, as the guide to receiving a Japanese pension abroad explains.

Japan has comprehensive tax treaties in force with all three countries (Ministry of Finance list as of 26 June 2026).¹⁴ Social security agreements have their own guide, and MM2H’s advertised exemption on foreign income is a Malaysian-side rule only.¹

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): Four Categories and Sarawak S-MM2H

MM2H is run by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in four categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone (SEZ/SFZ).¹⁹ Final approval rests with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Immigration Department, and appeals go to the same ministry.¹¹⁵ MOTAC states every deposit in US dollars, so ringgit figures on third-party pages do not match the official tables.¹⁹¹⁶

Silver, Gold and Platinum: Deposit, Property Purchase and Pass Length

Item (as of October 2026)	Platinum	Gold	Silver
Fixed deposit	USD 1,000,000	USD 500,000	USD 150,000
Minimum residence value	RM 2,000,000	RM 1,000,000	RM 600,000
Participating fee (one-off, per principal)	RM 200,000	RM 3,000	RM 1,000
Pass term (renewable)	20 years	15 years	5 years
Renewal fee after maximum years (principal and each dependant)	RM 5,000	RM 3,000	RM 1,500
Business, investment or career activity	Permissible	Not allowed	Not allowed

These figures match MOTAC’s guidelines and category pages and the OSC MM2H “Insights on the Categories” PDF.¹⁹¹⁶ Processing fees are RM 5,000 per principal and RM 2,500 per dependant, plus an OSC system fee of RM 500 (excluding SST) per application from 1 August 2025 (as of October 2026).⁹¹⁶¹⁷ OSC says deposits are “encouraged” to be held in ringgit equivalent to the US dollar value.¹⁸

Buying a home is compulsory. You must buy a residence worth at least the category minimum and may not sell it for 10 years unless you upgrade; non-compliance can lead to revocation of the pass.¹¹⁹ OSC’s announcement of 28 May 2025 gives Platinum, Gold and Silver participants one year after pass endorsement to complete the purchase.¹⁸

Passes track passport validity, and MOTAC’s pages do not mention permanent residence for any category.¹⁹¹⁹

The SEZ/SFZ Category

SEZ/SFZ is tied to Forest City, Johor. The fixed deposit is USD 65,000 for ages 21 to 49 or USD 32,000 from age 50, with a RM 1,000 participating fee, a 10-year pass and a RM 300 renewal fee; business is not allowed (as of October 2026).¹⁹²⁰ The home must be bought from the Forest City developer, not a third party, before the pass is endorsed, and the 10-year no-sale rule applies.²⁰¹⁸

Minimum Stay, Deposit Withdrawals and Dependants

The 90-day rule applies only below age 50. Below 50, MOTAC requires 90 days (cumulative) a year in Malaysia, which the principal, spouse and dependants may share; from 50, MOTAC states “No minimum requirement to stay” (as of October 2026).¹⁹¹⁹

Up to 50% of the principal’s fixed deposit may be withdrawn to buy a residence or for education, medical and tourism-related spending in Malaysia.¹ MOTAC materials differ on timing (after approval on the guidelines page, after the first year in the two PDFs), so confirm with OSC MM2H.¹¹⁶¹⁵

Dependants can include a spouse, children under 21, unmarried and unemployed children aged 21 to 34, disabled children of any age, and parents or parents-in-law; a foreign maid is allowed for Platinum only.¹¹⁹ The Insights PDF says “35 & single” for children instead, so check with OSC MM2H.¹⁶

Applying Through a Licensed Agent and the One Stop Centre

You cannot apply to MM2H directly. Applications go through an MM2H operator licensed by MOTAC under the Tourism Industry Act 1992 to the One Stop Centre MM2H (OSC MM2H), and MOTAC publishes an online check of licensed operators.¹

flowchart TD
    A["Choose a MOTAC-licensed MM2H operator"] --> B["Operator submits the file to OSC MM2H"]
    B --> C["OSC review and acceptance receipt"]
    C --> D["Immigration Department issues a conditional approval letter"]
    D --> E["Within 90 days: fixed deposit, health insurance (age 60 and below), medical check in Malaysia, LHDN-stamped personal bond, valid passport"]
    E --> F["Pay processing fee, participating fee, pass and visa fees"]
    F --> G["MM2H pass endorsed"]
    G --> H["Buy the residence (Platinum, Gold, Silver: within 1 year of endorsement)"]

Health insurance is an approval-stage document for applicants aged 60 and below, from a Malaysian or foreign insurer with worldwide coverage, and is needed again for renewal after the maximum programme years (as of October 2026).¹¹⁵ Since May 2025, police may also interview prospective participants at random.¹⁸

Sarawak S-MM2H: A State Programme With Its Own Rules

Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) runs a separate programme, set out in its guide amended 31 July 2025.²²¹ Online figures of RM 150,000 and age 50 are the pre-2025 rules.²¹

Requirement	S-MM2H rule (as of October 2026)
Minimum age	302
Fixed deposit	RM 500,000 in an SMM2H panel bank in Sarawak; at least RM 250,000 must be maintained2
Plus one income or savings test	Pension of RM 10,000 a month (RM 15,000 with dependant), or offshore income of the same amounts, or savings with a closing balance of RM 100,000 / RM 200,000 over 3 months of statements, subject to panel approval2
Deposit withdrawals	Up to 50% after one year, for a house or car, medical expenses or children’s education in Sarawak2
Property	Optional; if bought, at least RM 600,000 in Kuching Division and RM 500,000 in other divisions2
Pass	5-year Social Visit Pass plus a 5-year extension; after 10 years, a new application at least 6 months before expiry2
Minimum stay	30 days a year in Sarawak for the main participant2
Fees	RM 5,000 non-refundable processing fee to MTCP; RM 1,000 security bond for Japanese nationals2
Work	No full-time work; part-time up to 20 hours a week in approved professional sectors with State approval2

A sponsor is mandatory: a licensed SMM2H agent registered in Sarawak, or a personal sponsor from and living in Sarawak, limited to immediate family since 16 May 2025.² MTCP has licensed S-MM2H agents since 1 November 2024.²¹

Thailand Retirement Options: Non-O Extension, O-A, O-X and the LTR Wealthy Pensioner

Thailand has four separate retirement routes. Two are one-year permissions (the O-A visa issued abroad and the retirement extension granted inside Thailand), and two run up to 10 years (the O-X and the LTR).

Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay): One-Year Visa Applied for From Japan

Thai missions in Japan issue the O-A, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Osaka lists it for applicants aged 50 and over staying up to a year without the intention of working.³ It is a one-year multiple-entry visa with a non-refundable fee of ¥26,000, paid by credit card through the Thai e-Visa system (as of October 2026).³¹⁰

The Osaka sheets and the Tokyo embassy’s e-Visa guide list these documents (as of October 2026):³¹⁰²²

• Financial evidence: an income certificate showing at least 65,000 THB a month, or bank statements for the past three months showing at least 800,000 THB, issued within one month.
• Health insurance: at least USD 100,000 or 3,000,000 THB, including COVID-19, plus the Foreign Insurance Certificate in the form set by Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC), signed and stamped by the insurer. The Japanese-language sheet states only 3,000,000 THB.
• Medical certificate: issued in the country of application within 3 months; the Japanese sheet specifies a national or public hospital (国公立病院).
• Criminal record certificate: issued within 3 months by the country of nationality or residence, as an original in English.
• Proof of status in Japan: for Japanese nationals, a family register certificate (Koseki Tohon 戸籍謄本) issued within 3 months; foreign residents see the citizens vs foreign residents section.

Two points are not settled on the Osaka sheets: whether the 800,000 THB may sit in a Japanese bank, and whether a Japan Pension Service document such as the pension certificate (Nenkin Shosho 年金証書) counts as the income certificate.³¹⁰ The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ general O-A page also allows deposit plus income totalling 800,000 THB, which the Osaka sheets omit, so ask the Thai mission for your area.²³

Non-Immigrant O Plus a Retirement Extension Inside Thailand

The second one-year route starts inside Thailand. A Non-Immigrant visa holder aged 50 or over can apply to the Immigration Bureau for a retirement extension of up to one year at a time, granted “at the discretion of the immigration officer”.⁴²³ The criteria below are as last published in 2024 (the live page could not be reached), and local offices may ask for more:⁴

• Monthly income of at least 65,000 THB, such as a pension, interest or dividends; or
• At least 800,000 THB in a commercial bank in Thailand, held 2 months before filing and 3 months after permission, then never below 400,000 THB; or
• Annual income plus a Thai bank deposit totalling at least 800,000 THB, with the same holding conditions.

The 2024 page does not mention an embassy income letter for retirees, so ask the office which income evidence it accepts.⁴ The fee is 1,900 THB (as of October 2026).²⁴ O-A holders who extend must keep insurance of USD 100,000 or 3,000,000 THB, or, if refused cover, 3,000,000 THB in a Thai bank for 2 months.⁴

Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit ends the permission to stay. The permit costs 1,000 THB for a single entry or 3,800 THB for multiple entries (as of October 2026).²⁴²⁵

Non-Immigrant O-X: The 10-Year Long Stay Visa for Japanese Nationals

The O-X is limited by nationality. Only nationals and passport holders of Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States aged 50 or over may apply.⁷ Stays run 5 years plus 5 on a 5-year multiple-entry visa, and the fee at Thai missions in Japan is ¥52,000, paid through e-Visa and non-refundable (as of October 2026).⁷

The full balance and the insurance must be in Thailand. You need at least 3,000,000 THB in a bank in Thailand, or 1,800,000 THB plus annual income of at least 1,200,000 THB, and insurance from an insurer in Thailand with at least 40,000 THB outpatient and 400,000 THB inpatient cover (as of October 2026).⁷ Medical and criminal record certificates (each within 3 months) and a biography form declaring no occupation complete the file.⁷

Deposit-use rules are not on the Osaka sheet. The Royal Thai Embassy in Oslo says funds must stay a year before withdrawal, at least 1,500,000 THB must remain the following year, and the money may be spent only in Thailand.²⁶ Confirm with the Thai mission for your area whether these apply to you.

Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: Wealthy Pensioner Category

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) runs the LTR, whose Wealthy Pensioner category needs age 50 and passive income of at least USD 80,000 a year; pensions, rent, realised gains, dividends and interest count, salaries do not (as of October 2026).¹¹ With USD 40,000 to under 80,000, you must also hold USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, direct investment in a Thai company, or Thai property, made before applying.¹¹⁸

Insurance can be met three ways: at least USD 50,000 cover, Thai social security, or USD 100,000 held in a bank for 12 months (as of October 2026).¹¹ A spouse and children under 20 may follow, up to 4 dependants, and every condition must be maintained throughout the visa.¹¹

The BOI targets 20 working days to endorse qualifications, after which you have 60 days from the endorsement letter to collect the visa, for 50,000 THB in Thailand (possibly more abroad).²⁴¹¹ The stay is 5 years, extendable for 5 more without a further visa fee (as of October 2026).¹¹⁸

Unlike the other Thai routes, the LTR allows work: the BOI FAQ says Wealthy Pensioners may apply for a digital work permit.⁸ The BOI also lists a re-entry permit exemption and a tax exemption on overseas income; how the latter applies to you is a question for a tax adviser.¹¹

Reporting Duties While in Thailand

O-A and extension holders should plan on the 90-day address report (TM.47); LTR holders file a one-year report (TM.95) instead, though the landlord’s or hotel’s TM.30 notification within 24 hours still applies.⁴⁸ Official sources reviewed do not say whether O-X holders must file 90-day reports, so confirm with Thai immigration.

Philippines SRRV: Classic, Courtesy and Other Options

PRA restructured the SRRV under its Expanded SRRV Program (sheet issued August 2025, implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025).⁵¹²²⁷ The Citizen’s Charter 2025 figures (age 50, USD 10,000 or 20,000) predate the expansion.⁶

SRRV Classic and Courtesy Deposits by Age and Pension

SRRV option (as of October 2026)	Age 40 to 49	Age 50 and over
Classic, non-pensioner	USD 50,000	USD 30,000
Classic, pensioner	USD 25,000	USD 15,000
Courtesy (foreign nationals), non-pensioner	USD 6,000	USD 1,500
Courtesy (foreign nationals), pensioner	USD 3,000	USD 1,500
Courtesy (former Filipinos)	USD 3,000	USD 1,500

The pensioner rate needs proof of a pension of USD 800 a month (single) or USD 1,000 (family), apostilled or authenticated; PRA calls it a “lifetime pension”.⁵¹² The deposit covers the principal and two dependants, plus USD 15,000 per additional dependant except for former Filipinos (as of October 2026).⁵¹²

Fees are separate from the deposit. The processing fee is USD 1,500 for the principal and USD 300 per dependant, non-refundable on discontinuance, and the annual fee is USD 360 for Classic (USD 100 per extra dependant), USD 100 for Courtesy foreign nationals and USD 50 for former Filipinos (as of October 2026).⁵¹² The deposit must arrive as an inward remittance to the Development Bank of the Philippines or a private bank on PRA’s published list.⁵

Courtesy Options and Schemes Not Listed for New Applicants

Courtesy for former Filipinos covers people naturalised abroad who have not re-acquired Filipino citizenship, which can include Japanese nationals of Filipino origin.⁵¹² Evidence is a Philippine passport, certificate of naturalisation or PSA birth certificate.¹²

Courtesy for foreign nationals covers retired diplomats, retired officers of international organisations recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs, retired military personnel who aided or trained Philippine forces under a defence treaty, and high achievers including philanthropists.¹² Applicants aged 40 to 49 must also show a pension or similar income of at least USD 1,000 a month.¹²

SMILE, Human Touch and a separate Expanded Courtesy option are not listed among PRA’s current options for new applicants.⁵¹² The Charter’s fee table still lists SMILE and Human Touch for existing holders, so their terms are not described here.⁶

Converting the Deposit Into a Condominium or Long-Term Lease

The Charter lets holders convert the deposit into a condominium in the principal’s name or a lease of at least 25 years, either worth at least USD 50,000, with a PRA restriction on the title (as of October 2026).⁶ Funds released before the title arrives need a surety bond guaranteeing delivery to PRA within 180 days.⁶ PRA may update this under the expanded program; foreign land ownership limits are covered in the guide to buying overseas real estate while living in Japan.

Where SRRV Applications Are Filed

You must be in the Philippines for the whole application, filed at the PRA head office in Makati or satellite offices in Baguio, Clark/Subic, Cebu and Davao; PRA states 30 to 45 working days from complete documents (as of October 2026).¹² An NBI clearance is needed only after a stay of 90 days or more, and a Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate is always needed.¹²

Your entry status matters. PRA asks for a convertible tourist visa valid at least 30 days and says some entries, including those based on an “AJACKSSUK visa” (a visa issued by the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, a Schengen state, Singapore or the UK), cannot be converted directly.¹² The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo states that 9(a) e-Visas cannot be converted or extended, and whether visa-free entry on a Japanese passport is convertible is not stated, so ask PRA before you travel (as of October 2026).²⁸

Financial Minimums, Fixed Bank Deposits, and Property Purchase Offsets

Comparison Matrix

All cells are as of October 2026; check the official source before applying.

Dimension	MM2H Silver / Gold / Platinum	MM2H SEZ/SFZ	Sarawak S-MM2H	Thai O-A / retirement extension	Thai O-X	Thai LTR Wealthy Pensioner	SRRV Classic
Minimum age	251	21 (USD 32,000 band: 50)9	302	5034	507	5011	40 (bands 40 to 49 and 50+)12
Deposit or balance	USD 150,000 / 500,000 / 1,000,000 fixed deposit1	USD 65,000 (21 to 49) / 32,000 (50+) fixed deposit20	RM 500,000 fixed deposit; keep RM 250,0002	800,000 THB balance, or income instead34	3,000,000 THB in Thailand, or 1,800,000 THB plus income7	USD 250,000 investment only if income is USD 40,000 to under 80,00011	USD 15,000 / 30,000 (50+); USD 25,000 / 50,000 (40 to 49)12
Income test	None stated1	None stated20	Pension or offshore income RM 10,000 a month (RM 15,000 with dependant), or savings RM 100,000 / 200,0002	65,000 THB a month as an alternative3	1,200,000 THB a year with the 1,800,000 THB route7	USD 80,000 passive income a year (or 40,000 plus investment)11	USD 800 / 1,000 a month for the pensioner rate12
Property	Compulsory: RM 600,000 / 1,000,000 / 2,000,000, 10-year hold1	Compulsory, in Forest City, Johor2018	Optional (RM 600,000 Kuching, 500,000 elsewhere)2	None	None	Thai property is one investment option11	Deposit convertible to a condominium or 25-year lease of USD 50,000+6
Health insurance	Applicants aged 60 and below1	Same as MM2H1	Local insurance below age 602	USD 100,000 / 3,000,000 THB (O-A)34	Thai insurer: 40,000 THB outpatient / 400,000 THB inpatient7	USD 50,000 or alternatives11	Not a stated condition512
Validity	5 / 15 / 20 years1	10 years20	5 + 5 years2	1 year, renewable34	5 + 5 years7	5 + 5 years11	Indefinite stay; ID card 2 years56
Renewal or reporting	Renewal fees after maximum years1	RM 300 renewal9	Extension at year 5; new application at year 102	Annual extension; 90-day report48	Not verified	1-year report (TM.95)8	Annual PRA fee; ID renewal56
Minimum stay	90 days a year if under 50; none from 509	Same as MM2H9	30 days a year in Sarawak2	None stated	None stated	None stated	None stated; presence required during application12
Dependants	Spouse, children, parents and parents-in-law; maid (Platinum only)1	Same, without maid120	Spouse, parents, children 21 and under, disabled children2	Spouse may obtain a Non-O visa23	Not stated on the Osaka sheet	Spouse and children under 20, up to 411	Spouse and children under 21; 2 included in deposit12
Work	Platinum only1	Not allowed1	Part-time, approved sectors, 20 hours a week2	No3	No7	Digital work permit available8	PRA lists exemption from separate work permits5
Path to permanent residence	Not stated by MOTAC	Not stated by MOTAC	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	PRA describes the SRRV as “permanent residency”5

Can a Japanese Pension Alone Qualify?

This guide does not convert these tests into yen, because the result moves with exchange rates (see the guide to retiring abroad on a Japanese pension). Compare at the rate on the day you apply and keep a margin for renewals.

Route	Pension-based test (as of October 2026)	Is a pension enough on its own?
Thai O-A and retirement extension	65,000 THB a month34	Possibly, if the embassy or immigration office accepts your pension evidence
Thai LTR Wealthy Pensioner	USD 80,000 a year passive income, or USD 40,000 plus a USD 250,000 investment11	Only at the USD 80,000 level; below that, an investment is also needed
SRRV Classic, pensioner rate	USD 800 (single) or USD 1,000 (family) a month12	No: the USD 15,000 or 25,000 deposit is also required
Sarawak S-MM2H	RM 10,000 a month (RM 15,000 with dependant)2	No: the RM 500,000 fixed deposit is also required
MM2H and Thai O-X	No pension-only route17	No

Regular withdrawals from savings are not passive income for the LTR unless they clearly come from a retirement account, private pension or provident fund.⁸

Locked Money: Withdrawal Rules and Who Holds the Deposit

Route	Who holds the money	Withdrawal rule (as of October 2026)
MM2H	Licensed financial institution in Malaysia1	Up to 50% for residence, education, medical or tourism purposes; timing differs across MOTAC materials11615
Sarawak S-MM2H	SMM2H panel bank in Sarawak2	Up to 50% after one year; keep at least RM 250,0002
Thai retirement extension	Your own Thai bank account4	800,000 THB held 2 months before and 3 months after; then at least 400,000 THB (2024 criteria)4
Thai O-X	Your own Thai bank account7	Per Oslo embassy guidance: no withdrawal in year one, keep 1,500,000 THB after that, spend only in Thailand26
SRRV	PRA-accredited bank5	Through PRA’s Financial Management Division on termination, discontinuance, subrogation, transfer between accredited banks, excess deposit or change of account name, or by conversion6

Moving a large deposit out of Japan is covered in the guide to international money transfers from Japan.

Medical Examination and Criminal Record Certificate (Hanzai Keireki Shomeisho) Requirements

Japanese Police Certificate: How Residents of Japan Obtain It

Japan’s police certificate is the Hanzai Keireki Shomeisho (犯罪経歴証明書), issued by prefectural police only when a foreign public authority requires it.²⁹³⁰ You apply in person at the prefectural police headquarters, not a local station, because fingerprints are taken; Kyoto estimates about 10 days, excluding holidays, and hands certificates over in person only.²⁹³⁰ Fees vary, from ¥420 in Kyoto to free in Iwate (as of October 2026).²⁹³⁰

Foreign residents of Japan can apply too. Kyoto accepts registered residents of the prefecture and Iwate accepts a Juminhyo (住民票) or residence card as address proof; people already abroad apply through a Japanese embassy or consulate.²⁹³⁰

Programme	Police certificate validity at filing (as of October 2026)
Thai O-A and O-X	Issued within the past 3 months37
SRRV	Valid 6 months from issue12
Sarawak S-MM2H	Letter of Good Conduct issued less than 12 months before submission2
MM2H	Required for the principal and dependants over 18; validity not stated15

Medical Certificates and Health Checks

Thai and Philippine medicals can be done in Japan. The Thai O-A and O-X need a certificate issued in the country of application within 3 months, and PRA’s SRRV medical form is valid 6 months but must be apostilled or authenticated and translated into English if done abroad (as of October 2026).³⁷¹²

Malaysian medicals are done locally. MM2H uses a MOTAC panel clinic or hospital after conditional approval, and S-MM2H a Sarawak hospital, with overseas reports redone.¹¹⁵² The LTR’s published criteria list no medical certificate.¹¹

Translation, Apostille and Legalisation

MOFA Japan offers two routes for Japanese public documents. An apostille is issued only for Apostille Convention parties that request it; otherwise MOFA performs official seal authentication (Koin Kakunin 公印確認), and the destination country’s embassy in Japan then legalises the document.³¹ Private documents need notarisation first, and even Convention parties may ask for legalisation.³¹

Country	Apostille Convention status (as of October 2026)	Route for Japanese public documents
Philippines	Party; in force since 14 May 201932	Apostille; PRA requires an English translation and an apostille or authentication by a Philippine embassy or consulate512
Thailand	Acceded 30 June 2026; enters into force for Thailand on 28 February 202732	Until then: Koin Kakunin (公印確認) plus Thai consular legalisation3231
Malaysia	Not a party32	Koin Kakunin plus Malaysian consular legalisation where legalisation is requested; S-MM2H asks for certified copies and qualified translations232

Japan did not object to the Philippines’ accession, so Japanese apostilles work there.³³ Thailand announced its accession plan in December 2025, but the apostille does not replace legalisation there before 28 February 2027.³²³⁴

No official page reviewed says which Japan Pension Service document each authority accepts as pension proof. Prepare a pension certificate or statement with an English translation in the form each authority asks for; the BOI, for example, wants a certified, notarised or embassy translation.⁸

Renewal Procedures, Minimum Physical Stay Days, and Cancellation Rights

Renewal Cycles and Minimum Stay

Route	Renewal or reporting (as of October 2026)	Minimum stay
MM2H	Renewal every 5 years or with passport validity; RM 500 a year pass fee; after maximum years, medical report, insurance and category renewal fee19	90 days a year if under 50; none from 509
Sarawak S-MM2H	Extension at year 5 through the Immigration Department of Sarawak with a new medical report and deposit or pension evidence; new application at year 102	30 days a year in Sarawak2
Thai O-A and retirement extension	Annual extension; 90-day reports; re-entry permit when leaving425	None stated
Thai O-X	5 + 5 years7	None stated
Thai LTR	5 + 5 years; 1-year report118	None stated
SRRV	Annual PRA fee; ID card renewal every 2 years; restamping on a new passport5635	None stated

The SRRV allows an indefinite stay, but holders pay the annual PRA fee and renew the PRA ID card every two years (PRA Circular No. 02 of 9 May 2023), with a photo, passport copy and forms.⁵⁶³⁵ PRA lists exemption from the Bureau of Immigration annual report and from exit and re-entry permits (as of October 2026).⁵

Cancelling the Visa and Getting the Deposit Back

SRRV cancellation is a formal PRA service costing USD 10 plus PHP 500 per member (USD 20 plus PHP 4,020 with visa downgrading) and taking about 18 working days at the head office (as of October 2026).⁶ PRA’s Financial Management Division then releases the deposit, and a surviving spouse may take over resident-retiree status.⁶

For S-MM2H, terminate the pass at the Immigration Department in Sarawak, then apply to MTCP for release of the deposit with the termination letter.² MOTAC publishes no MM2H cancellation or release timeline, so ask your operator and OSC MM2H in writing.¹ The Thai routes leave no deposit to reclaim.

Step-by-Step Administrative Procedure & Timeline

Timeline Table: T-12 Months to Arrival

This timeline is illustrative; official processing times vary.

When	Action	Basis
T-12 to T-9 months	Choose a route; check age, nationality and money tests; foreign residents check their re-entry and PR position	Programme pages1271112
T-9 to T-6 months	Check insurance minimums; gather pension evidence and arrange translations; for MM2H, check that your operator is MOTAC-licensed; for LTR, make any required investment before applying	13118
T-6 to T-3 months	Apply for LTR endorsement (20 working day target); for S-MM2H, secure a licensed agent or family sponsor	211
T-3 to T-1 month	Medical certificate (Thailand, SRRV) and police certificate last (about 10 days to issue; 3-month or 6-month validity); Koin Kakunin plus Thai legalisation for Thai-bound documents before 28 February 2027	312323129
Filing	Thai e-Visa (O-A, O-X); collect the LTR visa within 60 days of the endorsement letter; MM2H via your operator to OSC; travel to the Philippines for SRRV (30 to 45 working days in country)	371112
After approval	MM2H: 90 days to complete deposit, insurance, medical in Malaysia and bond, then the home purchase within 1 year; S-MM2H: medical in Sarawak	115182
Before leaving Japan	Moving-out notification, health insurance cancellation, pension address change, tax agent if needed	Related guides

Japanese Citizens vs. Foreign Residents: Critical Distinctions

Point	Japanese citizens	Foreign residents of Japan
Thai O-X	Eligible: Japan is on the nationality list7	Only if your own nationality is on the list7
Thai O-A from Japan (Osaka sheets; Tokyo guide)	Koseki Tohon; My Number Card per the Tokyo embassy’s e-Visa document guide322	Conflicting sheets: see below31022
Police certificate	Prefectural police in Japan29	Japanese certificate available with residence card as address proof; programmes may also want one from your country of nationality or origin231230
SRRV Courtesy for former Filipinos	Japanese nationals of Filipino origin may qualify12	Same, if formerly Filipino12
Returning to Japan	No status issue	Re-entry permit limits apply; PR can be lost (see the departure-rules guide)

For foreign residents, the Osaka O-A sheets conflict. The English sheet accepts a Juminhyo or residence card copy from non-Japanese applicants, but the Japanese sheet limits them to permanent residents (永住権保持者に限り).³¹⁰ The Tokyo embassy’s own e-Visa guide asks non-Japanese for a My Number Card or residence card plus a Juminhyo, without a permanent-resident limit, so confirm your eligibility with the mission for your area before paying the non-refundable fee.²²

Permanent residents of Japan should check their re-entry position first, because staying abroad beyond the re-entry permit limits can end Japanese PR; the guide to departure rules for citizens and foreign residents covers those limits.

Common Pitfalls & Regulatory Compliance Risks

• Superseded SRRV figures: the Charter’s USD 10,000 / 20,000 and age 50 predate the expanded program. Fix: use PRA’s current pages.¹²⁶
• Outdated or unofficial MM2H claims: ringgit deposits, Platinum sold as a PR route, or an unlicensed intermediary. Fix: check MOTAC’s pages and licence list directly.¹⁹
• Missing the MM2H property rules: a 10-year hold and a 1-year purchase deadline. Fix: budget for the purchase before applying.¹¹⁸
• Confusing the O-A with the in-country extension, or treating 800,000 THB as a one-off deposit when the extension has holding periods and a 400,000 THB floor. Fix: choose the route and plan the Thai balance early.³⁴
• Insurance below the minimum or without the OIC form. Fix: get the form from the insurer before buying.³
• An expired police certificate: Thailand allows 3 months, PRA 6. Fix: apply for it last.³¹²
• Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit, or using an apostille for Thailand before 28 February 2027. Fix: get the permit before each trip out, and use Koin Kakunin plus Thai legalisation until then.²⁵³²³¹
• Exchange rates at renewal: a yen pension can fall below a foreign-currency test. Fix: keep a margin above each threshold.

See also

Destination guides (Asia)

• Moving from Japan to Malaysia: Visas, MM2H, Tax, Costs & Schools: life in Malaysia beyond the MM2H pass, including tax, housing and schools.
• Moving from Japan to Thailand: LTR, Retirement, DTV & Tax Guide: the wider Thai picture around the O-A, O-X and LTR routes.
• Moving from Japan to the Philippines: SRRV, Work & Island Living: settling in the Philippines once the SRRV is in hand.

Pension and social security

• Japan Social Security Agreements: Totalization & Dual Coverage: which countries have an agreement with Japan and how coverage periods combine.

Japan exit procedures

• Moving-Out Notification (Tenshutsu-todoke) When Leaving Japan: the city hall filing to plan alongside your retirement visa application.

References & Official Sources

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Important Cross-Border Mobility & Compliance Notice

All information presented in this reference publication is compiled from official government authorities, bilateral treaties, and statutory regulations. Cross-border tax obligations, visa eligibilities, pension disbursements, and residency classifications vary significantly based on individual citizenship, financial circumstances, and length of stay. Always seek professional advice from certified tax accountants (Zeirishi), licensed immigration specialists, or competent administrative authorities before taking irrevocable administrative or financial actions.

Footnotes

1. Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), “MM2H Requirements and Regulations” (Guidelines page, including category image tables: fixed deposit, participating fees, residence value, validity, business permission, renewal fees, application-process flowchart), accessed October 2026, https://www.mm2h.gov.my/apply/guidelines ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴ ↩³⁵ ↩³⁶ ↩³⁷ ↩³⁸ ↩³⁹ ↩⁴⁰ ↩⁴¹ ↩⁴² ↩⁴³

2. Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), “SMM2H Application Guide” (amended 31 July 2025) and “Sarawak Malaysia My Second Home (SMM2H) Application Requirements” page, accessed October 2026, https://mtcp.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/webpage_view/262 (guide: https://mtcp.sarawak.gov.my/web/attachment/show/?docid=REt0S0kvVFpidEtubkZUT09mcWFSZz09OjpeOuewhViH0oQ6MBHzQtpV) ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴ ↩³⁵ ↩³⁶ ↩³⁷ ↩³⁸

3. Royal Thai Consulate-General, Osaka, “Non-Immigrant (OA) Long Stay Visa” (English sheet, September 2025), https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/RzaiZWKBzF/consular/Visa/12.Non-Immigrant_%28OA%29_Long-Stay.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷

4. Immigration Division 1, Thai Immigration Bureau, “Visa Extension” (item 22, retirement), Wayback Machine snapshot 11 September 2024 (live page returns HTTP 403), http://web.archive.org/web/20240911162516/https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/visa-extension/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸

5. Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), “SRRVisa” (options, requirements, fees, benefits), accessed October 2026, https://pra.gov.ph/srrvisa ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹

6. Philippine Retirement Authority, “Citizen’s Charter 2025 (1st Edition)” (read via pdftotext), https://pra.gov.ph/Uploads/Files/PHILIPPINE%20RETIREMENT%20AUTHORITY_CC_2025%20-%201ST%20EDITION.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵

7. Royal Thai Consulate-General, Osaka, “Non-Immigrant (OX) Long Stay 10-year Visa” (September 2025), https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/RzaiZWKBzF/consular/Visa/13.Non-Immigrant_%28OX%29_Long-Stay_10-year.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³

8. Thailand Board of Investment, LTR Visa Unit, “FAQ”, accessed October 2026, https://ltr.boi.go.th/page/faq.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

9. MOTAC, “MM2H Category & Requirements: Overview”, accessed October 2026, https://www.mm2h.gov.my/category/overview ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵

10. Royal Thai Consulate-General, Osaka, “ノンイミグラント(OA) 長期滞在ビザ” (Japanese sheet, September 2025), https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/RzaiZWKBzF/consular/%E3%83%93%E3%82%B6/12.%E3%83%8E%E3%83%B3%E3%82%A4%E3%83%9F%E3%82%B0%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88-%28OA%29_%E9%95%B7%E6%9C%9F%E6%BB%9E%E5%9C%A8.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

11. Thailand Board of Investment, LTR Visa Unit, “Long-Term Resident Visa” (qualifications, privileges, application process), accessed October 2026, https://ltr.boi.go.th/ ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³

12. Philippine Retirement Authority, “Expanded SRRV Program” (PRA-PD-LORQ-0010, Issue No. 0001, issue date August 2025), https://www.pra.gov.ph/Uploads/Files/Expanded%20SRRV%20Program.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴

13. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan), “Visitor Visa for Japanese Retirees (over age 55)”, updated 7 August 2026, accessed October 2026, https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-158-7535-58338-2.html ↩

14. Ministry of Finance Japan, “我が国の租税条約ネットワーク” (tax treaty list, as of 26 June 2026), https://www.mof.go.jp/tax_policy/summary/international/tax_convention/tax_convetion_list_jp.html ↩

15. MOTAC / OSC MM2H, “Guide Malaysia My Second Home” (PDF, document checklist and financial requirements), posted December 2025, https://www.motac.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Guide-Malaysia-My-Second-Home.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

16. One Stop Centre MM2H (MOTAC), “Insights on the Categories” (PDF), posted December 2025, https://www.motac.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Insights-on-The-Categories.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

17. OSC MM2H, MOTAC, notices on the MM2H information management system (1 August 2025) and online appointment system (1 October 2025), https://www.motac.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Pengumuman-Terkini-Sistem-MM2H.pdf and https://www.motac.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Pengumuman-Terkini-Program-MM2H-2.pdf ↩

18. OSC MM2H, MOTAC, “Pengumuman Terkini Program Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)”, 28 May 2025, https://www.motac.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Pengumuman-Terkini-Program-MM2H.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

19. MOTAC, “Category: Platinum” (Gold and Silver pages same structure), accessed October 2026, https://www.mm2h.gov.my/category/platinum ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

20. MOTAC, “Category: Special Economic Zone / Special Financial Zone”, accessed October 2026, https://www.mm2h.gov.my/category/sez ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

21. InvestSarawak (Sarawak state agency), “New requirements for Sarawak – Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) in 2025” and “Sarawak gives green light to 450 applicants under S-MM2H”, 2024, https://investsarawak.gov.my/new-requirements-for-sarawak-malaysia-my-second-home-s-mm2h-in-2025/ and https://investsarawak.gov.my/sarawak-gives-green-light-to-450-applicants-under-s-mm2h/ ↩ ↩² ↩³

22. Royal Thai Embassy, Tokyo, “Information for Required Documents” (e-Visa), updated 11 June 2025, https://site.thaiembassy.jp/upload/2025/e-visa/apply-for-evisa/Information%20for%20required%20documents%20ENG%201162025.pdf ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

23. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, “Non-Immigrant Visa ‘O-A’ (Long Stay)”, updated 30 November 2022, https://www.mfa.go.th/en/page/non-immigrant-visa-o-a ↩ ↩² ↩³

24. Immigration Division 1, Thai Immigration Bureau, “Fee”, Wayback Machine snapshot 9 August 2024, http://web.archive.org/web/20240809222744/https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/fee_en/ ↩ ↩² ↩³

25. Immigration Division 1, Thai Immigration Bureau, “Re-entry Permit”, Wayback Machine snapshot 8 August 2024, http://web.archive.org/web/20240808150712/https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/re-entry-permit/ ↩ ↩² ↩³

26. Royal Thai Embassy, Oslo, “Non-Immigrant Visa O-X (Long Stay 10 years)”, accessed October 2026, https://oslo.thaiembassy.org/en/page/non-immigrant-visa-o-x-long-stay-10-years ↩ ↩²

27. Philippine Retirement Authority, “FY 2025 Client Satisfaction Measurement Report”, https://pra.gov.ph/Uploads/Files/PRA%20_%20FY%202025%20CSM%20Report.pdf ↩

28. Embassy of the Philippines, Tokyo, “Non-Immigrant Visa Requirements for Temporary Visitors to the Philippines (9A)” (e-Visa not convertible, no extension), accessed October 2026, https://tokyo.philembassy.net/consular-section/services/visa/non-immigrant-visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa-requirements-for-temporary-visitors-to-the-philippines-9a/ ↩

29. Kyoto Prefectural Police, “犯罪経歴証明書の申請” (渡航者などに対して発給する犯罪経歴証明), accessed October 2026, https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/fukei/site/kansiki_t/shomei/index.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

30. Iwate Prefectural Police, “犯罪経歴証明書”, updated 26 October 2023, https://www.pref.iwate.jp/kenkei/shinsei/shomei/3000597.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

31. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, “公印確認・アポスティーユとは”, search-verified October 2026 (direct fetch HTTP 403), https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/page22_000548.html ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

32. Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), “Status table: Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents”, last update 30 June 2026, https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41 ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸

33. HCCH, “Notifications: Philippines (objections and withdrawals)”, accessed October 2026, https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/notifications/?csid=1398&disp=type ↩

34. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, “Thailand’s Accession to the Apostille Convention”, 18 December 2025 (announces intention to deposit; contains no deposit or entry-into-force dates), https://mfa.go.th/en/content/thailand-accession-to-the-apostille-convention-2 ↩

35. Philippine Retirement Authority, “Advisory: SRRV ID Renewal”, 25 September 2025, https://pra.gov.ph/Uploads/Announcement/Document/ADVISORY_ID_RENEWAL_17102025.pdf ↩ ↩²