It was recently reported that MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation) has approved about 53% of the 2,400 DE Rantau applications received since the launch in October 2022.
DE Rantau is a new Professional Visit Pass for digital nomads which allows holders to work remotely in Malaysia for up to two years and to sponsor qualifying dependents. This is the first working visa which enables holders to work remotely from Malaysia and is aimed to position Malaysia as an attractive hub in ASEAN for digital nomads, competing with visas offered by Indonesia and Thailand.
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is available to foreign nationals in the IT (which includes software development, UI, UX, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and blockchain), digital
marketing, creative content or content development industries, earning more than USD$24,000 per year. Applicants may be digital freelancers, independent contractors or
remote workers. The Pass is not available to workers whose employer is incorporated in
Malaysia. The Nomad Pass comprises a multiple-entry Professional Visit Pass which allows
holders (and their qualified dependents) to stay in Malaysia for 12 months, extendible for
another 12 months.
Individuals can apply for and obtain information on the DE Rantau Nomad Pass at www.mdec.my/derantau/foreign. An application processing fee of RM1,000 (approx. USD
220) and RM 500 (USD 110) for principal applicants and their dependents respectively will
be charged. An immigration pass fee will also be imposed.
MDEC offers a range of facilities and services to Nomad Pass holders, and has established
living and working hubs in Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur so far, with more to come in Melaka, Ipoh and Johor Bahru, and also Kuching and Kota Kinabalu pending discussions with the authorities there. To date, the tax benefits for Nomad Pass holders and their beneficiaries, and employers have yet to be announced.