*Since June 2024, eligibility for the digital nomad visa has been expanded to include non-IT / non-digital talents.
The Digital Nomad Visa (DE Rantau Nomad Pass) is a long-stay visa in Malaysia designed for freelancers and remote workers.
The DE Rantau programme, managed by the Malaysian government agency MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), was announced on 1 October 2022.
Residence permission can be granted for 3 to 12 months and is renewable for an additional 12 months.
Dependant passes are available for the spouse, common-law partner, parents of the main applicant, and children.
*Children refers to those under the age of 18 and disabled children (no age limit, with a doctor's report as proof).
The required annual income for eligibility is USD24,000 or above.
Age | 18 years old and above |
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Employment Status |
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Industry | The industry are the followings: IT / Digital Talents
* It must be accompanied by the substantial work and be able to show some samples of the work and achievements. Non-IT / Non-Digital Talents
|
Annual Income | IT / Digital Talents: USD24,000 and above Non-IT / Non-Digital Talents: USD60,000 and above |
1. Passport Copy (All Pages) ...All Applicants |
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The passport must be valid for more than 14 months with at least 6 blank pages. |
2. Resume |
A detailed description of your work experience. |
3. Proof of Annual Income |
- Latest 3 months' bank statements - Latest 3 months' income statements or latest income tax returns - Latest 3 months' payslips (for remote workers) |
4. Project / Employment Contract |
A description of the contract details and validity period. Freelancers: The contract must state the remuneration and contract period. Multiple contracts are accepted, and they can be with either local or foreign companies. Remote workers: The contract must be with a foreign company and specify the salary and remote working availability. |
5. Letter of Good Conduct |
6. Highest Level of Education Certificate |
7. Personal Bond |
The particular form must be signed. |
8. Medical Insurance Certificate |
Proof of medical coverage in Malaysia. It must cover all applicants. |
9. Malaysia Income Tax Number Registration Certificate |
10. Professional Certificate |
*Submission is voluntary. |
A. No, the application process is entirely online.
A. Yes, you can enter and exit Malaysia freely with the Digital Nomad Visa.
A. No, your spouse can't work in Malaysia.
A. Most banks do not allow Digital Nomad Visa holders to open a Malaysian bank account. Please contact each bank for more details.
A. You may ask the international school to apply for student pass. Please contact each school for more details.
A. Currently, you can only reside in West Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan. Visiting Sabah and Sarawak is permitted with a tourist pass.
A. Normally, it takes around 6-8 weeks, but it may take longer if MDEC requests additional information or documentation. For our clients, the process has taken approximately 4-5 months from the time of application.
A. If the application is rejected, you can appeal by submitting additional supporting documents and relevant information within 1 month of the rejection date. In the event of a rejection, 50% of the application fee (RM1,000 for the main applicant and RM500 for dependants) will be refunded.
A. You can apply for a renewal 2 months before your Digital Nomad Visa expires. The renewal process will take 6-8 weeks.