Guide to Moving From Hong Kong To Malaysia

Golden beaches, lush rainforest, a food scene that rivals Hong Kong's own, and a cost of living that stretches a lot further: it's easy to see why Malaysia has become one of the most popular relocation destinations for Hong Kong residents. Whether it's Kuala Lumpur's skyline and buzzing food courts or the slower island pace of Penang, there's a genuinely exciting change of lifestyle waiting on the other side of the move.

Of course, any international relocation comes with its share of research, planning and adjusting to a new culture, and that's exactly where we can help.

Whatever your needs, our international movers in Hong Kong can guide you through the move, from the paperwork to the packing.

• Life In Malaysia
  • Why Move To Malaysia?
  • Work & Career
  • Money & Taxes
  • Culture & Lifestyle
  • Language
  • Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Transport
  • Climate
• Planning Your Move To Malaysia
  • Visas & Documentation
  • Studying In Malaysia
  • Schooling
  • Packing Belongings And Furniture
  • Storage
  • Moving A Car Or Vehicle

There are so many reasons to move to Malaysia, from the easy-going lifestyle to the safety, infrastructure and affordability. The Malaysian community is also incredibly welcoming towards expats, helping new arrivals to settle in and feel at home.

Most expats who come to Malaysia choose to live in cities rather than rural areas. It's worth remembering that Malaysia is still generally considered a developing or emerging economy, so daily life is likely to look quite different from Hong Kong in many small ways. Kuala Lumpur is also considered one of the best cities for expats in Asia, making it particularly attractive for Hong Kong nationals looking for a change.

Malaysia's economy has diversified well beyond its traditional manufacturing and oil and gas base, with growing technology, finance and shared-services sectors, particularly around Kuala Lumpur and Penang, which has become a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing. Most professionals moving from Hong Kong for work will need an Employment Pass, sponsored by a Malaysian employer and categorised according to salary and role seniority. Securing a job offer before you move is the standard approach, since your employer handles the sponsorship.

Popular job platforms include JobStreet and LinkedIn, and many professionals also find roles through recruitment agencies that specialise in their industry.

Malaysia's currency is the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). Malaysia uses a territorial tax system, meaning only income earned within Malaysia is generally taxable, and residents are taxed on a progressive scale from 0 to 30 per cent depending on income, while non-residents are taxed at a flat rate.

You're generally considered a tax resident if you spend at least 182 days in Malaysia in a calendar year, a slightly different threshold to the 183-day rule used in many other countries, so it's worth tracking your days carefully in your first year.

As with any move, it's best to speak with a professional tax adviser to understand exactly how your circumstances will be treated in both jurisdictions.

Malaysia's culture reflects its Malay, Chinese, Indian and indigenous communities, and this diversity shows up everywhere, from the range of religious and cultural festivals celebrated each year, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Thaipusam, to the food. Malaysian hawker culture will feel familiar to anyone coming from Hong Kong, with an enormous range of dishes available cheaply and easily across most cities.

Malaysia is known for its family-oriented lifestyle, making it an appealing option if you find that Hong Kong isn't quite meeting your family's needs. The pace of life outside the busiest parts of Kuala Lumpur also tends to be noticeably slower than Hong Kong, which is part of the appeal for many people making this move.

While Malay, or Bahasa Malaysia, is the official national language in Malaysia, there is also a strong emphasis placed on English proficiency. Thanks to this, English is a commonly accessible language for locals and foreigners to communicate through.

Malaysia has a well-regarded, affordable healthcare system, with both public and private options available to legal residents. The private hospital network in particular is a major draw for expats and is a well-established destination for medical tourism from across the region.

Many long-term residents choose private health insurance to access the private system directly rather than relying solely on public facilities.

Under the current MM2H structure, most tiers now require holders to purchase and hold residential property in Malaysia for a minimum term, with pricing thresholds that vary by state.

This is a more significant commitment than in the past, when property purchase was more of an optional add-on. Renters not on MM2H will find the process considerably simpler, closer to a standard tenancy agreement, though it's still worth working with a real estate agent experienced in guiding foreigners through the local process, since there's a fair amount of red tape involved either way.

If you're used to Hong Kong's traffic, then Malaysia might take some time to adjust to, as traffic congestion is fairly common. In some cases, expats choose to forego driving altogether. Thankfully, Kuala Lumpur has an integrated urban rail network, including LRT, MRT and monorail lines, and other major cities also have their own transit systems.

Thanks to this, you will be able to navigate your new home easily, even without a car.

Malaysia enjoys an equatorial climate year-round, with temperatures generally staying between 22°C and 32°C. There are two monsoon seasons each year, though, so you can expect to see a little more rain than you may be used to in Hong Kong, particularly on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia during the north-east monsoon.

Hong Kong passport holders can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 days. As this is considered a tourism-related entry, they are not permitted to work during this stay. Instead, many use this period to gain an understanding of the Malaysian lifestyle, and can use the time to investigate work opportunities, schools, universities, or housing.

For a long-term stay, one option is the MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) programme, which has been substantially restructured in recent years into a tiered system (Silver, Gold and Platinum, plus a separate tier for Forest City in Johor). Applications must now go through a licensed MM2H agent rather than being submitted directly, and most tiers require both a fixed deposit and a mandatory property purchase held for a set minimum term, so it's a considerably bigger financial commitment than it was in the past. It's well suited to those with the resources for long-term residency, but it's no longer the simple entry-level option it once was.

If MM2H isn't the right fit, there are a number of work permit and visa options tied to employment, so if you're relocating from Hong Kong for a job, your employer will typically sponsor the relevant pass. If you are being relocated from Hong Kong to Malaysia for a work opportunity, we recommend looking into Allied's employee relocation services.

Those moving to Malaysia from Hong Kong with children will need to consider their schooling options. Malaysia has a multilingual national school system, along with a wide range of fee-paying private and international schools.

Children are more likely to be impacted by cultural differences than adults, so choosing the best schooling option for your child may be imperative to their adjustment.

Many expats opt to send their children to private or international schools where they will get to interact with other children who are experiencing a similar shift to them, so it's worth starting your research and applications early, particularly for the more established international schools in Kuala Lumpur.

If you want to move from Hong Kong to Malaysia to study, you can apply for a Malaysian student visa. Before you apply, you need to have already been accepted to study at your chosen educational institution.

Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur are roughly 2,540 kilometres apart, or about a four-hour direct flight, so your belongings will still need to travel a meaningful distance by sea or air freight. It's best to start packing early and follow a comprehensive moving checklist so nothing important gets left behind.

Using a professional packing service is a good way to make sure everything is packed securely and ready for the move.

If you're not moving everything at once, or you need time to settle into permanent housing before your belongings arrive, storage is a practical option. Short-term storage gives you flexibility to find the right home in Malaysia first, without needing to have everything sorted before you leave Hong Kong.

Bringing your own car from Hong Kong to Malaysia generally isn't practical. Malaysia's Approved Permit (AP) system requires an import licence from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry before a foreign vehicle can be brought in, and import duties on foreign-manufactured cars are among the highest in the world, often adding up to roughly triple the vehicle's original price once all taxes are applied.

For most people relocating, it works out simpler and far more cost-effective to sell your car in Hong Kong and buy locally once you've arrived. If you do decide to pursue an import, a professional vehicle transportation service can talk you through the documentation and requirements involved.

Moving with pets takes extra planning, but it's manageable with the right preparation.

Malaysia requires both a Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) approval and an import permit from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS), both of which need to be arranged before your pet travels, alongside a valid veterinary health certificate, microchip and up-to-date vaccinations. Most pets will need to complete a quarantine period on arrival, and some breeds, including a number of larger guard-dog breeds, face additional restrictions or require special approval from DVS.

Given how specific and sequenced these requirements are, it's worth speaking with a professional pet transportation service early in your planning, since document and test timelines need to line up precisely with your travel dates.

Moving can be a costly process, so be sure to read up on our money-saving tips for international moves.

As soon as you're ready to start planning your overseas relocation to Malaysia, get in touch with the Allied Hong Kong team.