Issue · September 2026 · everything a nomad needs, city by city

Nomadzine

The visa · Malaysia

Malaysia

Malaysia has a genuine remote-work permit, the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, plus a separate Sarawak version, a relaunched three-tier My Second Home scheme and a costly Premium Visa for those who want to work locally. The nomad pass suits salaried remote employees and freelancers earning from abroad at USD 24,000 a year for tech work or USD 60,000 for other professions. Before applying, note that the application fee has been non-refundable since May 2025 and that renewals have reportedly taken months longer than the published six to eight weeks.

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The routes

Researched 6 September 2026 · rules as of September 2026 · as published, not legal advice

  1. Nomad visa

    DE Rantau Nomad Pass

    DE Rantau Nomad Pass, issued as a Professional Visit Pass (Pas Lawatan Ikhtisas)

    Remote employees and freelancers paid from outside Malaysia who want a legal base of up to two years in Peninsular Malaysia.

    Income floor
    USD 24,000 a year for digital or tech professionals; USD 60,000 a year for the non-tech professional category added in June 2024. Income must come from outside Malaysia; sources report no partial credit below the threshold.
    Duration
    3 to 12 months, renewable once for a maximum of 24 months, multiple entry.
    Cost
    RM 1,080 application fee per main applicant and RM 540 per dependant, non-refundable since 1 May 2025 regardless of outcome. One guide quotes RM 500 per dependant; the RM 540 figure is the more widely reported.
    Processing
    MDEC states 6 to 8 weeks. Applicant accounts report 2 to 4 weeks for some first applications and about five months for a 2025 renewal.
    Eligibility
    Digital freelancers, remote employees and, since June 2024, non-tech professionals such as founders, executives, accountants, legal counsel and business-development staff; income from non-Malaysian sources; health insurance covering Malaysia; registration with the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) is reported as a requirement even where no tax is due.
    Work rights
    Work for foreign employers and clients only; the pass is not a licence to take Malaysian employment or serve Malaysian clients, and income from Malaysian sources is taxable in Malaysia regardless.
    Dependants
    Spouse and children can be included at RM 540 each; family passes track the main applicant's validity.
    Leads to
    No. It is a visit pass and does not count toward permanent residence or citizenship.
    Apply
    Online through the MDEC DE Rantau portal; the pass is endorsed by the Immigration Department after approval.

    Documents Passport valid for the full stay · Proof of annual income from abroad, such as contracts, payslips or invoices and bank statements · Employment contract or client contracts of at least three months · Curriculum vitae and proof of profession · Health insurance covering Malaysia · Tax registration proof · Passport photo · Marriage and birth certificates for dependants

    Official page →

  2. Nomad visa

    DE Rantau Sarawak Pass

    DE Rantau Sarawak Pass under the Sarawak Digital Residency Programme (SDRP), issued as a Professional Visit Pass

    Digital professionals who want to base in Borneo while retaining the right to live in Peninsular Malaysia as well.

    Income floor
    Reported to mirror the national pass for digital professionals, USD 24,000 a year; the Sarawak scheme accepts digital professionals only.
    Duration
    Up to 12 months, renewable for a further 12 months.
    Cost
    Not confirmed from the SDEC pages opened; guides quote the same fee scale as the national pass.
    Processing
    Not published; applications opened in November 2025.
    Eligibility
    Digital professionals only; a non-tech category was not offered at launch.
    Work rights
    Remote work for foreign employers and clients only.
    Dependants
    Reported as permitted on the same basis as the national pass.
    Leads to
    No.
    Apply
    Online via the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), in partnership with MDEC.

    Documents Passport · Proof of foreign-sourced income · Contracts or employment letter · Health insurance · Curriculum vitae

    Official page →

  3. Temporary stay

    Short-Term Social Visit Pass (visa-free or eVisa entry)

    Pas Lawatan Sosial Jangka Pendek / Short Term Social Visit Pass

    Anyone scouting Malaysia or staying up to 90 days on a tourist footing.

    Income floor
    none
    Duration
    14, 30 or 90 days depending on nationality; extensions are granted only on special consideration such as illness, accident or conflict at home.
    Cost
    Free for visa-exempt nationals; an extension, where allowed, is reported at RM 50.
    Processing
    Immediate at the border after filing the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival.
    Eligibility
    Visa-exempt nationalities; onward ticket and funds may be checked; work and business are not permitted purposes.
    Work rights
    None. The Cabinet warned in November 2025 that using a social visit pass to seek employment or conduct business draws stern action.
    Dependants
    Each family member enters on their own pass.
    Leads to
    No.
    Apply
    At the border; eVisa nationals apply first at the Immigration Department's eVisa portal.

    Documents Passport · Malaysia Digital Arrival Card confirmation · Onward or return ticket

    Official page →

  4. Long stay

    Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

    Program Malaysia Rumah Keduaku / Malaysia My Second Home Programme

    Financially settled people who want a multi-year base and are willing to lock a fixed deposit and buy property; not a working visa below the top tier.

    Income floor
    Silver: RM 500,000 fixed deposit plus a property of at least RM 600,000. Gold: RM 1 million deposit plus RM 1 million property. Platinum: RM 5 million deposit plus RM 2 million property. A Special Economic Zone tier for Johor and Sabah is reported at USD 65,000 (age 21 to 49) or USD 32,000 (age 50 and over). Figures are from the 2024 relaunch conditions as reported by licensed agents; the official portal could not be opened.
    Duration
    Silver 5 years, Gold 15 years, Platinum 20 years, renewable.
    Cost
    Government pass fees are set by tier and were not verified from the official portal; every application must go through a licensed agent.
    Processing
    Not published; agents report several months.
    Eligibility
    Minimum age and financial tests by tier; property purchase to be completed within about a year of endorsement; up to 50 per cent of the deposit withdrawable after the first year for property, medical or education spending.
    Work rights
    Only the Platinum tier carries the right to work or run a business; Silver and Gold holders may not.
    Dependants
    Spouse, children and, depending on tier, parents can be included.
    Leads to
    No direct path; time on MM2H does not itself qualify for permanent residence.
    Apply
    Through a licensed MM2H agent to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; the pass is endorsed by the Immigration Department.

    Documents Passport · Bank statements and proof of the fixed deposit · Medical report · Police clearance · Health insurance · Marriage and birth certificates for dependants

    Official page →

  5. Residence

    Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)

    Program Visa Premium / Premium Visa Programme

    High earners who want a 20-year pass with the right to work, study and run a business in Malaysia.

    Income floor
    Offshore income of RM 40,000 a month (RM 480,000 a year) plus a RM 1 million fixed deposit, half withdrawable after six months for property, medical or education spending.
    Duration
    20 years, renewable.
    Cost
    RM 200,000 participation fee for the main applicant and RM 100,000 per dependant, plus the deposit.
    Processing
    60 to 90 working days to conditional approval, as reported.
    Eligibility
    No age limit and no minimum stay; proof of offshore income and clean record.
    Work rights
    Employment, business and investment permitted.
    Dependants
    Spouse, children under 25, parents, parents-in-law and a domestic helper.
    Leads to
    No automatic path; long residence on the pass may support a permanent-residence application under general rules.
    Apply
    Through the Immigration Department via appointed agents.

    Documents Passport · Proof of offshore income · Bank statements · Medical report · Police clearance

  6. Other route

    Employment Pass and Residence Pass-Talent

    Pas Penggajian / Employment Pass; Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)

    Remote workers who take a Malaysian job or whose foreign employer sets up a local entity; the RP-T is the long-term step after three years on an Employment Pass.

    Income floor
    Employment Pass Category I from RM 20,000 a month from 1 June 2026 (previously RM 10,000); Category II RM 10,000 to RM 19,999; Category III RM 5,000 to RM 9,999. RP-T requires a basic salary of RM 15,000 a month.
    Duration
    Category I up to 5 years; Category II up to 2 years per pass; Category III short passes. RP-T 10 years, renewable.
    Cost
    Set by category; not verified from the Expatriate Services Division.
    Processing
    Employer-driven through the Expatriate Services Division; weeks rather than days.
    Eligibility
    A Malaysian employer must sponsor; RP-T needs three consecutive years on an Employment Pass and a pass with at least three months left.
    Work rights
    Local employment with the sponsoring employer only.
    Dependants
    Dependant passes for spouse and children; RP-T spouses have work rights.
    Leads to
    Five continuous years of legal residence is the general baseline for a permanent-residence application; citizenship requires far longer.
    Apply
    Employer applies online through the Expatriate Services Division; RP-T through TalentCorp.

    Documents Passport · Employment contract · Academic and professional certificates · Proof of insurance · Sector approvals where required

    Official page →

Without a visa, by passport

The stay you get on arrival, and whether working remotely on it is tolerated

  • EU / EEA / Switzerland90 days visa-free for most member states, with a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card filed before arrivalRemote work is not a permitted purpose of a social visit pass; it is widely tolerated in practice for short stays but the Cabinet warned in November 2025 against using the pass for employment or business.
  • United Kingdom90 days visa-freeGrey: not a permitted purpose, rarely enforced for laptop work, but repeated back-to-back entries draw questions.
  • United States90 days visa-freeGrey, as above; the DE Rantau pass is the published route for anything beyond a visit.
  • Canada90 days visa-freeGrey; same social visit pass conditions.
  • Australia90 days visa-freeGrey; same social visit pass conditions.
  • New Zealand90 days visa-freeGrey; same social visit pass conditions.
  • India30 days visa-free until 31 December 2026 under the Visa Liberalisation Plan; longer stays need an eVisaThe exemption expressly excludes work and study; remote work on it is not covered by any published tolerance.
  • China30 days visa-free until 31 December 2026Same exclusion of work and study.
  • South AfricaVisa-free; the Immigration Department lists South Africa among visa-not-required countriesGrey; same social visit pass conditions.
  • BrazilDisputed: widely published lists give 90 days visa-free, but the Immigration Department table as read for this report grouped Brazil with visa-required nationalities. Check the eVisa portal before travel.Grey on a social visit pass; forbidden on any visa issued for tourism.

Tax

When the country starts counting you as its taxpayer

Residency trigger
Under section 7 of the Income Tax Act 1967 an individual is resident for a year of assessment after 182 days or more in Malaysia in that year, or a shorter period linked to a consecutive period of 182 days straddling the year end, or 90 days in the year where the person was resident or present 90 days in three of the four preceding years, or resident in the three preceding years and the following year. Non-residents pay a flat 30 per cent on Malaysian-sourced income; residents pay progressive rates from 0 to 30 per cent.
Special regime
Foreign-sourced income received in Malaysia by resident individuals has been exempt since 1 January 2022, with the exemption originally due to end on 31 December 2026. Budget 2026, tabled in October 2025, extended it to 31 December 2036 for individuals, conditional on the income having been subject to tax in the country where it arose and on filing with LHDN. Foreign income not remitted to Malaysia is outside the Malaysian tax net. Income from Malaysian clients is Malaysian-sourced and taxable in any case.
Social security
The SOCSO employment-injury and invalidity schemes and, from 1 October 2025, the Employees Provident Fund at 2 per cent from each side apply only to foreigners employed by a Malaysian employer. Self-employed foreigners and remote employees of foreign companies are outside the schemes. No certificate-of-coverage mechanism was found; Malaysia does not appear on the totalisation-agreement lists of the major nomad home countries, so home-country contributions continue under home rules.
Treaties
LHDN lists 75 double-taxation agreements in force, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia, India, Japan and South Africa. There is no comprehensive treaty with the United States. Practical effect for a remote employee: treaty tie-breakers settle residence where both countries claim it, and employment income for work physically performed in Malaysia is generally taxable in Malaysia once the person is resident, subject to the foreign-source exemption above for income earned and taxed abroad.

Practicalities

Bank account
Personal accounts require a long-term pass such as an Employment Pass, MM2H, student or dependant pass, proof of a Malaysian address and a local mobile number; banks reject tourist-pass applicants. Maybank and CIMB have asked for a tax identification number since 2025. DE Rantau holders report mixed success and are usually steered to Maybank.
SIM registration
Foreigners must show the original passport, and since 2024 the telco records a hotel or residential address. From late 2025 new prepaid registrations are verified through MyDigital ID, and tourist prepaid SIMs are limited to three months' validity.
Health insurance
No public cover for visitors. The DE Rantau pass requires private insurance covering Malaysia for the whole stay, as do MM2H and PVIP.
Tax number
A Tax Identification Number is obtained by registering with LHDN. DE Rantau applications ask for tax registration proof, and banks now request the number.
Driving
Short-term visitors may drive on a foreign licence in English or an International Driving Permit for up to 90 days. Since 19 May 2025 the Road Transport Department no longer converts foreign licences except for MM2H participants, diplomats and returning Malaysians; other long-stay foreigners must sit the Malaysian test.
Address registration
There is no municipal registration for foreigners; the address on the pass application and, for SIM and banking, a tenancy or hotel booking are what get checked.
Overstay penalties
Overstaying is a strict-liability offence under section 15 of the Immigration Act 1959/63: a fine of up to RM 10,000 and/or up to five years' imprisonment, plus an entry ban of one to five years depending on length. A 2025 Overstay Management Programme lets Employment and Dependant Pass holders settle overstays of up to 90 days by fixed fine (RM 30 a day for 1 to 30 days, RM 1,000 for 31 to 60 days, RM 2,000 for 61 to 90 days) without referral to enforcement; tourists face compounding fines reported at RM 100 or more a day.

Malaysia: a working nomad pass, cheap fibre and a foreign-income tax break that now runs to 2036

Where nomads base and why

Kuala Lumpur is the default: fast fibre, a dense coworking scene, international food and rents that stay low by regional standards. Penang, with George Town at its heart, is the established second choice and is where many first-time arrivals settle for the lower cost and a walkable heritage core. Kuching gained its own pass in November 2025 and is the pitch for those who want Borneo without giving up the right to spend time on the peninsula.

Malaysia topped at least one 2026 country ranking for digital nomads, scoring well on infrastructure, cost of living and the tax treatment of money earned abroad. MDEC data cited in mid-2026 reporting put approvals up by more than a third in a single quarter, on top of more than 6,000 passes approved since the 2022 launch; by October 2024 the programme had received 4,059 applications and approved 1,988.

What applicants report

First applications through the MDEC portal are widely reported inside the published six to eight weeks, and some inside a month. Renewals are the weak point: one documented 2025 renewal filed in late December was not finally approved until early May, partly because the applicant was outside Malaysia when the first approval issued and the file was sent back for review. Being in the country at endorsement matters.

Refusals cluster around income evidence. The threshold is applied to documented non-Malaysian income with no rounding, and mixed-currency freelance income needs statements that match the invoices. Since May 2025 a refusal costs the full fee.

Banking and daily money

Cash and QR payments through DuitNow and the Touch 'n Go eWallet cover most daily spending, and foreign cards work almost everywhere in the cities. A local account is harder: banks want a long-term pass, a local address and now a tax number, and tourist-pass applicants are turned away. Nomad-pass holders generally succeed at Maybank with patience, and many simply run on a multi-currency card for the first months.

For those planning to remit income, the foreign-source exemption matters more than the visa. It applies to resident individuals, is conditional on the income having borne tax abroad, and depends on filing a return with LHDN even when the result is nil.

What is changing

The direction of travel is a tighter line between visiting and working. The Cabinet's November 2025 warning, the non-refundable fee rule and the 2026 rise in Employment Pass salary floors all push remote workers toward the DE Rantau pass rather than serial visa-free entries. On the tax side, the Budget 2026 extension of the foreign-income exemption to 2036 removes the cliff that had been set for the end of 2026.

Two things to watch: the India and China 30-day exemption is currently dated to expire on 31 December 2026, and MM2H's mandatory property purchase plus the new flat 8 per cent stamp duty have made that route markedly dearer for anyone who only wants a base rather than a home.

Researched from imi.gov.my · mdec.my · digital.gov.my · sdec.com.my · mdec.my · emerhub.com · medium.com · ey.com · malaymail.com · fragomen.com · the authority

Malaysia for remote workers — nomad visa, freelance permits, visa-free stays, tax | Nomadzine