Malaysia is rapidly gaining popularity as a top destination for digital nomads due to its affordable prices, resort climate, proximity to beaches, unique culture, and modern infrastructure. The country's government has announced a simplified visa procedure for digital nomads. Learn more about the features of the DE Rantau visa in Malaysia

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The head of the Malaysian Ministry of Digital Technology, Gobind Singh Deo, said that the government is actively looking for ways to attract more digital nomads. The authorities have decided to make the DE Rantau Nomad Pass visa more accessible by expanding the list of professionals eligible for it.

The DE Rantau program, created by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), aims to make Malaysia a leading destination in Southeast Asia for digital nomads. The program stimulates the adoption of digital technologies, as well as promotes professional mobility and tourism. 

Expanding the pool of potential applicants for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass will help attract more professionals from various industries, further developing Malaysia's digital economy and strengthening its position in the international arena.

Expanding the target audience of DE Rantau Nomad Pass

Speaking at the DE Rantau Elevate 2024 event in Kuala Lumpur, Minister of Digital Technology Gobind Singh Deo announced the expansion of the list of potential participants in the DE Rantau Nomad Pass program. It now covers professionals and talents not only from IT but also from other industries. 

The new candidates include digital nomads, such as freelancers and remote employees, from the following professions:

1. Company founders;

2. Chief executive officers;

3. Chief Operating Officers;

4. Tax specialists;

5. Accountants;

6. Legal advisers;

7. Technical writers;

8. Business development managers;

9. Public relations specialists;

10. Other specialists in related fields.

In addition, the parents of the main applicant may now be dependents. Previously, only the spouse and children of the main applicant were allowed to be included in the collective application.

Gobind Singh Deo added that expanding the availability of the DE Rantau Nomad Pass to include talent and professionals from non-IT sectors will bring Malaysia on par with other countries that also offer special visas for digital nomads. This initiative will help attract more professionals, which will have a positive impact on the country's economy and international image.

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Obtaining a DE Rantau visa under the new rules

According to the new rules, professionals whose activities are not related to the IT sector and digital technologies can obtain a DE Rantau Nomad Pass visa, subject to certain requirements:

1. The minimum allowable income is USD 60,000 (RM 281,000) per year or USD 5,000 (RM 23,000) per month;

2. Availability of a place to stay in the host country (own/rented housing; hotel room/co-op place in a hostel, etc;)

3. Availability of medical insurance;

4. No criminal record in the country of citizenship and previous long-term residence.

The DE Rantau program is a convenient start for professional freelancers and remote workers who plan to work in Malaysia. It allows newcomers to easily adapt to the country's digital ecosystem and make it their new regional base. 

After the two-year validity period of the initial digital nomad visa expires, foreigners can choose one of two paths. The first path involves applying for the Malaysian Technology Entrepreneur Program, which provides a five-year Residential Pass. The second path involves obtaining Malaysia Digital status after opening a company in Malaysia, which allows you to stay in the country in accordance with the rules for foreign professionals employed by Malaysian firms.

Detailed information about the DE Rantau Nomad Pass program can be found on the official website of the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Popularity of the Malaysia visa for digital nomads

As of May 31, 2024, according to the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), 3096 applications were received for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass program. Of these, 1443 applications were approved, including 189 visa extensions. The program participants came from 78 countries, with the majority of applicants coming from the Russian Federation. The top 5 countries also include Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.

The average annual income of approved digital nomads is USD 69 thousand (RM 324 thousand). Most of them have professional experience and skills in areas such as software development, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence and machine learning.

A survey conducted in late 2023 found that 40% of approved candidates came to Malaysia with their families. This has a positive impact on their overall spending and supports a number of sectors of the Malaysian economy, including tourism, education, catering, the rental market, hospitality, and transportation.

The DE Rantau Nomad Pass program continues to expand its partner network to include both local and international companies and non-profit organizations. As of May 2024, the network included providers from various fields: coworking spaces, insurance platforms, medical services, rental services, travel and leisure services, cashless payments, and transportation services.

The main goal of the partnership between DE Rantau Nomad Pass and these companies is to provide digital nomads with comprehensive support to improve their living and working conditions in Malaysia. Among the well-known partners are:

1. Coworking spaces: WORQ, Common Ground, Komune Co-working and Universal Space Offices;

2. Healthcare and insurance: SafetyWing, KPJ Healthcare and MHTC;

3. Accommodation and travel: OYO, Jetpack Langkawi, Tripcarte and EasyBook;

4. Payment solutions: AxaiPay, EdxaPay and SenangPay;

5. Media and transportation services: Good Foodie Media and HERTZ.

Since the launch of the program in 2022, Malaysia has become a popular destination for digital nomads. This is confirmed by numerous studies. For example, Remote, a company that specializes in building and maintaining a globally distributed workforce, has ranked Kuala Lumpur 22nd in its annual list of the best destinations for remote work for 2023, up from 84th in 2022.

In December 2023, the nomadlist.com platform recognized Malaysia as the most respected country among digital nomads. Experts noted a significant increase in interest in Malaysia after the introduction of immigration benefits, which made the country even more attractive to professional freelancers and remote workers.

Daria Rogova, Head of Insurance at Visit World

To move, travel or work safely in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can apply for an extended policy on our website here.