At the Hubbis Malaysia Wealth Management Forum in Kuala Lumpur on May 21, Fairuz Khan, Associate Director of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, shed light on a growing trend reshaping wealth planning among Malaysia’s affluent families: investment migration. Moving beyond traditional focuses on succession and governance, Khan explained how residence and citizenship planning have become crucial tools for securing opportunity, safeguarding legacy, and adapting to global lifestyles.
Malaysian Families Embrace Mobility and Optionality
Khan highlighted increasing demand among Malaysian high-net-worth individuals for alternative residency and citizenship, particularly in Europe and the United States. This interest isn’t primarily driven by relocation or tax benefits, but by the desire to build flexibility into long-term family strategies. “Malaysian families are proactively expanding their global footprint,” Khan noted. “They want better education options for their children, enhanced security, and broader market access.”
Countries like Greece and Malta remain popular for residence-by-investment due to their EU membership and strong legal frameworks. The US EB-5 program also attracts families seeking access to American universities and career prospects for younger generations. “These programmes offer strategic pathways to mobility and future-proofing,” Khan added.
He emphasized that second residencies are no longer a luxury but a necessary element of resilience against geopolitical, regulatory, or personal uncertainties.
Malaysia’s Unique Position as Both Outbound and Inbound Destination
While Malaysian families pursue global mobility, the country itself is gaining attention as a prime destination for foreign investors and retirees, particularly from the US, Canada, and Australia. “Malaysia offers stability, affordability, and connectivity unmatched in the region,” Khan explained.
The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program has long been favored, but a newer initiative, the Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP), is gaining traction. Offering a 20-year visa with rights to work, run businesses, and invest, PVIP appeals especially to North American clients seeking long-term commercial and lifestyle flexibility.
Khan also noted a reciprocal trend where expatriates and long-term residents in Malaysia explore investment migration opportunities abroad, highlighting the dynamic two-way flow of global wealth and mobility.
Residence Planning: A Core Component of Legacy and Continuity
Khan stressed that modern wealth planning extends beyond trusts and asset structures to encompass where future generations will live, study, and build their lives. Mobility complements, rather than replaces, wealth structuring—addressing challenges such as tax burdens and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions.
“Families are thinking proactively about where their heirs will thrive, and residence and citizenship planning is essential to that vision,” he said. This approach helps anticipate future lifestyle and career choices in an increasingly interconnected world.
Investment Migration as a Strategic Pillar
Concluding his remarks, Khan underscored that investment migration has evolved from an optional luxury to a central pillar of wealth strategy. “It provides families with resilience, jurisdictional diversification, and continuity amid global change,” he noted.
Henley & Partners collaborates closely with wealth managers, lawyers, and tax advisors to integrate residence and citizenship solutions into comprehensive family plans. “Our role is to help clients navigate this landscape strategically, aligning mobility with their broader goals.”
Khan’s key message was clear: in today’s complex world, investment migration is an indispensable tool, offering control, access, and freedom that can significantly shape a family’s future.
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