Overview
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is a Professional Visit Pass valid from three to twelve months, renewable once for another twelve, giving a maximum of 24 months. It is open to applicants of all nationalities except Israeli citizens, aged over 18, who work remotely for non-Malaysian companies or as digital freelancers and independent contractors.
Tech talent (software, cloud, cybersecurity, AI, data, digital marketing, content) needs US$24,000 a year; a defined list of non-tech roles (CEO, COO, CFO, finance, sales, HR, legal counsel, consultants and similar) needs US$60,000.
Editor's note — If your pass is approved while you are already in Malaysia, MDEC requires you to exit and re-enter (with a Visa With Reference if your nationality needs one) before the pass can be endorsed. Plan a short trip to Singapore or Bangkok into the timeline.
Who is eligible
- Over 18 and of any nationality except Israel.
- Remote worker (full or part-time) for a company not registered in Malaysia, or digital freelancer/independent contractor with foreign clients — including digital-content creators paid by platforms.
- Annual income of at least US$24,000 (tech talent) or US$60,000 (listed non-tech professions).
- Contract of at least six months (employees) or active foreign client contracts, with three months of payslips or invoices and matching bank statements.
- Private health insurance covering Malaysia for the stay.
Income & financial requirements
Per year.
Per year, listed positions only.
Including 8% SST.
Each, including SST.
Employees submit an employment contract valid for at least six months, the last three months' payslips and bank statements showing matching deposits, and optionally an employer letter confirming remote status. Freelancers submit client contracts, the last three months' invoices, proof of payment (platform statements accepted) and bank statements reflecting consistent income above the threshold.
All documents must be legible PDFs with consistent names and income details; the annual figure is checked against the deposits.
Costs & fees
- RM1,080 processing fee for the main pass holder and RM540 per dependant (both including 8% SST), paid on submission.
- Private medical insurance for the whole stay.
- Endorsement costs and, where applicable, the Visa With Reference for re-entry.
Taxes
Malaysia taxes income derived from Malaysia; foreign-sourced income received by resident individuals is exempt until the end of 2036 subject to conditions. The unsettled question is whether pay for work physically performed in Malaysia is “derived from Malaysia” — take advice if you will exceed 182 days, which makes you tax resident.
How to apply
Sign up on the MDEC portal
Create an account on malaysiadigital.mdec.my and select the DE Rantau Nomad Pass.
Upload income and identity documents
Contract, payslips or invoices, bank statements, passport (14+ months validity), insurance.
Pay and wait
RM1,080 (plus RM540 per dependant); processing takes six to eight weeks.
Exit, re-enter and endorse
If approved while in Malaysia, leave and re-enter, then complete endorsement to receive the e-Pass.
Duration & renewal
Three to twelve months initially, renewable once for up to twelve months — 24 months maximum. The pass does not lead to permanent residence.
Bringing family
Spouse or common-law partner, children under 18, disabled children of any age and the main applicant's parents can be included as dependants (RM540 each). Dependants may not work; school-age children need enrolment confirmation unless home-schooled.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- Low tech threshold of US$24,000
- Two years total with parents allowed as dependants
- Kuala Lumpur's cost-to-quality ratio
- Open to nearly all nationalities
Considerations
- Six-to-eight-week processing and the exit/re-enter rule
- Non-tech roles need US$60,000 and must match the list
- No permanent-residence pathway
- Tax treatment of in-country work is unsettled