The Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the DE Rantau Programme, was introduced in October 2022 to cater to remote workers who wish to reside in Malaysia. Malaysia is growing in popularity as a digital nomad hub due to its tropical climate and low cost of living, it joins other digital nomad-friendly countries in the region, such as Thailand and Indonesia.

Key details

1. The DE Rantau Programme allows digital nomads to reside in Malaysia for an initial period of 3 to 12 months.
2. It is a Multiple Entry visa, and you can extend it for an additional 12 months upon expiration.
3. Dependents (such as spouses and immediate family members) can accompany you on this visa.

Requirements

The requirements for the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa (DE Rantau Programme) are as follows:

1. Valid Passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 14 months from the time of application.
2. Remote Work: You must work remotely as an employee, business owner, or freelancer for companies or clients located outside of Malaysia for a minimum of three months.
3. Digital Domain: Your work should be in the digital space, including IT, digital content creation, digital marketing, and related fields.
4. Minimum Income: You need to earn a minimum income of $24,000 per year.
5. Clean Criminal Record: Ensure that your criminal record is clean.
6. Health or Travel Insurance: You must have insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Malaysia.

Required documents

To apply for the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa (DE Rantau Programme), you’ll need to prepare the following required documents:

1. Passport: A valid passport with at least 14 months of validity from the time of application.
2. Proof of Remote Work: Documentation showing that you work remotely for companies or clients located outside of Malaysia. This could include employment contracts, client agreements, or proof of freelance work.
3. Income Proof: Evidence of your income, demonstrating that you earn a minimum of $24,000 per year. This could be in the form of bank statements, tax returns, or employment letters.
4. Health or Travel Insurance: Proof of insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Malaysia.
5. Clean Criminal Record: A certificate or document proving that you have a clean criminal record.
6. Passport-Sized Photos: Typically, two recent passport-sized photos are required for visa applications.

Application process

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Register an Account:

   • Visit the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)'s official website.
   • Create an account and provide your full name, email, and password.
   • Verify your account using the verification code sent to your email.

2. Fill in Application Details:

   • Log in to your account.
   • Fill in the application form with your personal details and work information.
   • Specify that you are applying for the DE Rantau Digital Nomad Visa.

3. Upload Documents:

   • Attach the necessary documents to your application. These include:
     • A valid passport (with at least 14 months of validity).
     • Proof of remote work (contracts, agreements, or evidence of freelance work).
     • Proof of income (demonstrating a minimum income of $24,000 per year).
     • Clean criminal record certificate.
     • Health or travel insurance coverage for your stay in Malaysia.

4. Pay Visa Fees:

   • Pay the visa fees and charges using debit card, credit card, or PayPal.

5. Wait for Approval:

   • Once you’ve submitted your application and paid the fees, wait for the approval of your visa.
   • If approved, you’ll receive the Professional Visit Pass (Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa).

The processing time for a Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa (DE Rantau Programme) can vary slightly depending on the volume of applications and other factors. Here are some estimates:

• Around 30 days: In general, the processing time for the Malaysia digital nomad visa application is approximately 30 days.
• Up to six to eight weeks: Some sources suggest that after submitting your application and documents, it can take up to six to eight weeks for the visa to be approved. Once approved, you’ll receive a pass sticker as physical evidence of your visa.
• Four weeks: Another estimate indicates that the processing time is typically four weeks after the application is submitted.