Malaysia, Thailand’s southern neighbor, has introduced a new initiative to attract digital nomads. The De Rantau Nomad Pass, set to launch on October 1, 2022, serves as Malaysia’s digital nomad visa. This visa is initially valid for 12 months and offers the possibility of a 12-month extension.The program aims to foster digital nomad communities by creating an ecosystem with tailored products and services. To make it accessible, Malaysia has set a relatively low income threshold for applicants at $2,000 per month. This initiative demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to embracing the growing trend of remote work and digital nomadism.
Visa category
DE Rantau Nomad Pass under DE Rantau Program*
What are the visa fees/charges?
• Application Fee :
– For individual: MYR1,000 (excluding SST)
– For dependents: MYR500 per dependent (excluding SST)
• Immigration Pass Fee for each applicant:
– For 3 months: RM90
– For 1 year: RM360
– Multiple entry Visa Fee: Varies country by country
Is there a minimum income threshold applicable for digital nomad/remote work visa?
Yes:
• For foreign Digital Nomads: above US$24,000 annually
• For Local Digital Nomads: above RM36,000 annually
Are digital nomad/remote work visa holders subject to income tax?
Yes, unless it can be exempted under the Double Taxation Agreement subject to meeting the required conditions
Are digital nomad/remote work visa holders subject to social security contributions?
No
Is there Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) relief available in the country?
Yes
Is there an income tax requirement in the country, in general?
Yes
Is there a social security requirement in the country, in general?
No
Are criminal checks required for this visa?
Yes, a copy of Certificate of Good Conduct (COGC) or Statutory Declaration form is required for submission of foreign digital nomad application
For how long is the digital nomad/remote work visa valid?
• 3 to 12 months; with an option to extend to additional 12 months i.e. total of 24 months of stay
• The holder of this Pass will also enjoy multiple entry rights for the validity duration of Pass
• Malaysian does not require a work pass
Is the applicant bound to any work restraints/limitations?
• The applicant is required to have a career in domain related to Information Technology, Digital Content Creation and Development, or Digital Marketing
• If a foreign digital nomad is applying for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass as a remote worker, then his employment should be with a Foreign/Non-Malaysian Company
• Local digital nomad as remote worker, the employment may either be local or foreign company
• Digital Freelancer and Independent Contractor can work either with foreign or local company
What are the standard requirements for the digital nomad/remote work visa?
• A passport valid for more than 14 months is required
• For Digital Freelancer, contracts or invoices and orders and clients mentioning the duration and value of the contract will be required. In case there is no specific contract, the applicant would be required to prove that income generated is more than US$24,000 annually for foreigner or MYR36,000 annually for Malaysian
• For remote worker, proof of an active employment with a company outside Malaysia is required stating the monthly or annual salary, which should be more than US$24,000 annually for foreigner or MYR36,000 annually for Malaysian
• The age of the main applicant is required to be above 18 years
• Immediate family members of the applicant are also eligible to apply for long-term social visit pass to live in Malaysia
• Generally, mandatory documents for foreign digital nomad would be as follows: – Photograph in blue background covering shoulders and chest – Passport all page (minimum 6 empty pages and valid for more than 14 months at the point of submission)
– Latest resume – Highest education certificate – Latest 3 months bank statement and yearly income statement – Latest 3 months income statement or latest tax returns – A valid project contract with a contract period of 3 months or more, purchase order, and invoice for digital freelancer / independent contractor (combination of contract from multiple companies will also be accepted)
– A valid Employment Contract with a contract period of 3 months or more (for remote worker)
– Latest 3 months’ salary slip (for remote worker) – Letter of Good Conduct issued by authority body in respective country/current residence or Statutory Declaration certified by a Notary Public in respective country/ current residence (template of Statutory Declaration is provided by the Authority)
– Personal Bond or Security Bond form, depending on nationality (to fill out the prescribed form and stamped by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia)
– Medical insurance enrolment certificate which is valid in Malaysia (must also cover dependent, if any). The medical insurance is to be provided later, after the application is approved to proceed with pass endorsement
– Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia tax registration slip (to be provided later, after application is approved to proceed with pass endorsement)
– All documents must be in English or translated to English
Which countries are eligible to apply for the digital nomad/ remote work visa?
• Available for all nationals
• For Israel Citizens, approval is required from Ministry of Home Affairs
Is applicant required to provide proof of employment?
• Digital freelancers and independent contractors are required to present an active contract or multiple projects clearly stating the duration and value of the contract
• Remote workers are also required to provide proof of their employment with a non- Malaysian company, clearly stating the salary and allowance to work from home/
Acceptance of applications for this program has started effective October 1, 2022. The DE Rantau provides digital nomad visa to both foreign and local digital nomads in Malaysia. The Pass covers digital freelancer, independent contractor, and remote worker (full-time or part-time) under their digital nomad Visa.
DE Rantau Nomad Pass currently support stay in Peninsular Malaysia only. If the applicant wants to travel to Sabah or Sarawak, he can do so by using the tourist pass.
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