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Digital nomad visas, handled end to end First destination: Malaysia's DE Rantau Pass New: stay up to 4 years from 1 Dec 2026 New applications temporarily closed — get your file ready now Tech Talent income: USD 36,000 from 1 Dec 2026 More countries coming soon
Policy update

MDEC has temporarily closed new DE Rantau applications while it rolls out the Enhanced Framework. From 1 December 2026: stay up to 4 years, and Tech Talent income rises to USD 36,000.

What's changing →

Malaysia · DE Rantau Nomad Pass

The Malaysian digital nomad visa, explained.

Everything about the DE Rantau Nomad Pass — who qualifies, what you need, what it costs, and how long it lasts. Updated for MDEC's Enhanced Framework (effective 1 December 2026).

Check Malaysia Eligibility →All nomad visas
Transition period · new applications temporarily closed

MDEC has temporarily closed new DE Rantau applications to put the Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework in place. It takes effect on 1 December 2026 and applies to every application submitted from that date. First renewals are still accepted for passes expiring on or before 31 January 2027.

Planning a new application? Check your eligibility now and we'll have your file ready for when submissions reopen. Full breakdown of the changes →

What it is

A pass built for nomads.

The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is a Professional Visit Pass (Pas Lawatan Ikhtisas / PLIK) created for foreign digital nomads. It lets you legally live and work remotely in Malaysia — without the limits of a tourist stamp.

It's run by MDEC, Malaysia's digital economy agency. Under the Enhanced Framework (from 1 December 2026) the initial pass runs up to 12 months, and you can renew up to three times, 12 months at a time — up to four years in total. Each renewal is assessed on its own; none is automatic. The pass carries multiple entry, so you can come and go as you please, and it covers Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan.

Your income has to come from outside Malaysia — up to three overseas employers or clients at a time — and both tech and non-tech professionals qualify. You can apply from anywhere except Israel, and bring your spouse, children and parents with you as dependents. It's a temporary pass: it doesn't lead to Permanent Residency or citizenship.

Up to 4 yrs
12 mo + up to 3 renewals
Multiple
Entry
Peninsular + Labuan
Coverage
Anywhere
Apply from (except Israel)

Know your options

Two ways in.

01

Remote Worker

Employee of a foreign company not registered in Malaysia. Proof: signed employment contract (remote terms, title, duration, USD salary, employer details), 3 months' payslips, 3 months' bank statements, income statement / tax return, optional employer confirmation letter.

02

Freelancer / Independent Contractor

Self-employed, with up to three overseas clients at a time. Proof: signed client contracts (scope, duration, payment terms), 3 months' invoices, proof of payment (PayPal / Stripe / Wise), 3 months' bank statements, portfolio (compulsory for digital marketing).

Who qualifies

Tech and non-tech talent.

The fields below are indicative (not limited to these jobs) — if your work isn't listed, it may still qualify.

Tech Talent

Minimum USD 36,000 / year from 1 December 2026 (previously USD 24,000)

Software & backend engineersUX / UICloudCybersecurityBlockchainAIMachine learningDataDigital marketingDigital creative contentDigital content development

Non-Tech Talent

Minimum USD 60,000 / year

CEO / founderCOOBusiness developmentMarketing managerCFOFinance manager / accountantSales managerCustomer successHR managerLegal counselPR / comms managerConsultantCustomer service managerAdmin managerTechnical writerTax specialistTax accountantProduction managerSupply chain manager

Also: main applicant 18+; open to all nationalities except Israel. The new income floor applies to new and renewal applications submitted from 1 December 2026 — including current pass holders who were approved at USD 24,000.

Dependents

Bring your family.

You can bring immediate family as dependents: spouse or common-law partner; children under 18 (biological, adopted or step); a child with special needs of any age (expert-verified); and your parents. Dependents can enter with you or after you. Dependents cannot work, and there's a fee per dependent.

Dependants renew together with you, and you can add a spouse or child at renewal — including a newborn. A child who turns 18 during the pass can stay until it expires, but can't be renewed as a dependant unless they have special needs.

Documents at a glance

Common to both pathways.

Full checklist →
  • Passport (all pages, 6+ blank pages, 14+ months validity)
  • CV
  • Letter of Good Conduct
  • Personal Bond form
  • Highest Education Certificate (PDF)
  • Medical Insurance Enrolment Certificate (valid in Malaysia, min 3 months, covers dependents)
  • LHDN tax registration slip
  • All documents in English (or certified translation), PDF, with names and income consistent across every file

Staying longer

Renewals, up to four years.

StageLengthWhat's needed
Initial pass (year 1)Up to 12 monthsFull application and endorsement
First renewal (year 2)Up to 12 monthsRenewal application with up-to-date documents
Second renewal (year 3)Up to 12 monthsRenewal application + mandatory Renewal Eligibility Report (RER) covering years 1–2
Third renewal (year 4)Up to 12 monthsRenewal application under the prevailing requirements
  • Apply within the 3 months before your pass expires; processing takes 6–8 weeks
  • No need to leave Malaysia — and you can renew from abroad
  • Finish endorsement before your current e-Pass expires
  • A renewal can't run past your passport's expiry — keep 14+ months of validity
  • Each renewal meets the rules in force when you apply (e.g. USD 36,000 for Tech Talent)
  • You can change employer, or switch from employee to freelancer
  • Used the old 24-month maximum? Up to two more renewals from 1 December 2026
  • Renewal fee unchanged; all fees are non-refundable

What it costs

Fees, in short.

Full cost breakdown →
ItemAmount
Our processing feeRM 1,000 / applicant · RM 500 / dependent (incl. 8% SST) — non-refundable
Refundable security / personal bondRanges from RM 200 – RM 2,000 (depending on your nationality)

The process

Form to e-Pass.

Step-by-step →
  1. [01]

    Apply online

    Submit your application at mdec.my/derantau (new applications are temporarily closed during the transition).

  2. [02]

    Review

    A 6–8 week review, then an approval letter valid for 6 months.

  3. [03]

    Visa or VDR

    Obtain your eVisa or Visa with Reference (VDR), per your nationality.

  4. [04]

    Enter & endorse

    Enter or re-enter Malaysia, complete endorsement, and receive your e-Pass (~1 week).

Note: you cannot convert a tourist pass into a DE Rantau pass.

Questions

Frequently asked.

A Professional Visit Pass (PLIK) for qualified foreign digital nomads to live and work remotely in Malaysia. It's a temporary pass — it doesn't lead to Permanent Residency or citizenship.
Not for a new pass. MDEC has temporarily closed new applications during the transition to the Enhanced Framework. First renewals are still being accepted for passes expiring on or before 31 January 2027. We can check your eligibility and prepare your file now so it's ready when new submissions reopen.
Remote workers and freelancers in qualifying tech/non-tech professions working for employers or clients outside Malaysia (up to three at a time), 18+, all nationalities except Israel.
From 1 December 2026: USD 36,000/yr for Tech Talent (up from USD 24,000) and USD 60,000/yr for Non-Tech Talent (unchanged). The new figure applies to both new and renewal applications submitted on or after that date.
Under the Enhanced Framework (from 1 December 2026): an initial pass of up to 12 months, plus up to three renewals of up to 12 months each — a maximum of four years in total. Renewal isn't automatic; each one is assessed separately.
Apply within the three months before your pass expires — you don't need to leave Malaysia, and you can renew from abroad. Each renewal is up to 12 months, takes 6–8 weeks to process, and is assessed against the rules in force when you apply. Second and third renewals open from 1 December 2026.
You can stay until your current pass expires on its existing conditions. Any renewal submitted from 1 December 2026 is assessed under the new rules — including USD 36,000 for Tech Talent. If you've already used the old 24-month maximum, you can apply for up to two more renewals from 1 December 2026.
A mandatory report for a second renewal (third year). It covers your work, income sources and tax compliance across your initial pass and first renewal, backed by documents. MDEC publishes the template under Mandatory Documents at mdec.my/derantau.
Yes. You can change employers or move from employee to freelancer, as long as you still meet the requirements and submit updated documents. You can work for up to three overseas clients or employers at a time.
No. The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is a temporary pass and doesn't provide a pathway to Permanent Residency or Malaysian citizenship.
Yes — spouse/partner, children under 18 (biological, adopted or step), a child with special needs of any age, and parents. They can't work. Dependants can also be added at renewal, including a newborn.
Only on a tourist pass; the DE Rantau pass covers Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan.
No.
6–8 weeks for a complete submission; e-Pass ~1 week after endorsement.

Ready when you are

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We'll confirm your profile and next step — usually within one business day.

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