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How to apply for Malaysia's DE Rantau digital nomad visa
Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass lets remote workers and freelancers live in Malaysia for 3 to 12 months at a time. It's changing right now: new applications are paused for November 2026, and from 1 December the income bar for tech roles rises while the maximum stay doubles to 4 years. Here's each step, from MDEC, the government agency that runs it.
Paused until 1 December 2026. MDEC has closed new applications from 1 to 30 November 2026. They reopen on 1 December under the enhanced framework. First-time renewals are still accepted. Questions: MDEC Expats Service Centre, 03-8315 3106 / 3157, expatctr@mdec.com.my.
- Income
- Tech: USD 36,000+/yr · Non-tech: USD 60,000/yr
- Fee
- RM1,080 · RM540 per dependant
- Stay
- 3–12 months, renewable to 4 years
- Processing
- 6–8 weeks
Step by step
Step 1: check the dates (the November 2026 pause)
Following Malaysia's Budget 2027, MDEC is moving DE Rantau to an "Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework" from 1 December 2026. During the switch, the submission window for new applications is closed from 1 to 30 November 2026. New applications resume on 1 December and are assessed under the new rules. If you already hold a pass, first-time renewals continue to be accepted during November.
If you were planning to apply in November, use the time to collect your documents: from 1 December the new income bar applies (step 2).
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass (incl. the Expats Service Centre notice) ↗, MDEC: Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework FAQ v1 (PDF, Oct 2026) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Step 2: check your work and income
DE Rantau is for digital freelancers, independent contractors and remote workers. MDEC splits it into two groups:
- Tech talent (software and backend engineers, cloud, cybersecurity, blockchain, AI and machine learning, data, digital marketing, digital creative content, UX/UI and related roles): more than USD 36,000 a year for new and renewal applications from 1 December 2026. It was USD 24,000.
- Non-tech (for example founders and CEOs, COOs, CFOs, business development, marketing, production or supply chain managers): USD 60,000 a year, unchanged.
Proof of work: a remote employee needs an active employment contract of more than 3 months with an employer based outside Malaysia. A freelancer or contractor needs active project contracts of more than 3 months with foreign companies, up to 3 contracts at a time. The pass is open to all nationalities except Israel.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass (incl. the Expats Service Centre notice) ↗, MDEC: Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework FAQ v1 (PDF, Oct 2026) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Step 3: gather your documents
Everything must be in English (or come with a certified English translation), in clear PDF files, with your name and income consistent across documents. Your passport must be valid for more than 14 months when you submit. The checklists are in "What you'll need" below.
You also need a sponsor: either a company registered in Malaysia that awards you projects, or, if you don't have one, MDEC itself. With MDEC as sponsor you sign a personal bond and pay a refundable deposit whose amount depends on your nationality (MDEC's FAQ has the table); it's refunded in full when your pass expires. The bond document needs an RM10 revenue stamp, endorsed by the Inland Revenue Board.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Step 4: apply online and pay
You apply online; you don't need to be in Malaysia. Fees are RM1,080 per applicant and RM540 per dependant (including 8% SST), paid online to MDEC when you apply. They aren't refunded if you're rejected. MDEC's page shows the same fees before tax (MYR 1,000 and MYR 500).
Applications are processed within 6–8 weeks of a complete submission, longer if MDEC asks for more documents. Track your status at malaysiadigital.mdec.my. Since 1 August 2026 there are no appeals: if you're rejected you can re-apply once you meet the requirements.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗, MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass (incl. the Expats Service Centre notice) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Step 5: enter Malaysia and get your e-Pass
The approval letter is valid for 6 months and can't be extended; you must finish endorsement within that time or apply again. If your nationality needs a visa for Malaysia, get an eVISA (malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my) or a Visa with Reference from the embassy named in your approval letter. If you're already in Malaysia on a tourist pass, you have to leave and re-enter, because a tourist pass can't be converted.
Once you're in Malaysia, log in to MDEC's endorsement hub (mdec.my/ms/derantau/hub) and submit the documents it asks for to receive your DE Rantau e-Pass. On top of MDEC's fee, the FAQ lists an immigration pass fee of RM90 per 3 months (RM360 a year) and multiple-entry visa charges that vary by country.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
What you'll need
Remote employees (4 items)
- Signed employment contract showing the remote-work arrangement, job title, duration (MDEC prefers at least 6 months left), salary in USD or equivalent, and the foreign employer's details; it must have started at least 3 months before you apply, and the employer must not be registered in Malaysia
- Payslips for the last 3 months
- Bank statements for the last 3 months, with deposits matching the payslips
- A confirmation letter from your employer (optional)
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Freelancers and contractors (5 items)
- Signed client contracts or freelance agreements stating scope, duration and payment terms
- Invoices you issued in the last 3 months
- Proof of payment (PayPal, Stripe, Wise or bank transfers)
- Bank statements for the last 3 months, showing consistent income above the threshold
- Portfolio or testimonials (optional)
MDEC's page says freelance contracts must be with foreign companies, up to 3 at a time.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗, MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass (incl. the Expats Service Centre notice) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Bringing family
Dependants can be a spouse (or common-law partner), children under 18, disabled children of any age, and parents of the main pass holder. Each pays RM540. A spouse can't work in Malaysia on this pass. Dependants can come with you or arrive later, and from 1 December 2026 they can be renewed with you; new dependants can also be added at renewal.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗, MDEC: Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework FAQ v1 (PDF, Oct 2026) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
After you arrive
Where it's valid, travel and banking
The pass covers Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan. You can still visit Sabah and Sarawak, but you enter those two states on a tourist pass. The pass is multiple-entry; to use the KLIA autogates, register on the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) 3 days before arrival. MDEC warns that most Malaysian banks won't open an account on this pass.
Sources: MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Renewing (now up to 4 years)
Renewals are 12 months each. From 1 December 2026 you can renew up to three times, for a maximum total stay of 4 years including the first pass (it used to be one renewal and 24 months). If you already used the 24 months under the old rules, you can apply for further renewals from 1 December 2026. Renewals from that date must meet the new income bar, so a tech holder approved at USD 24,000 needs USD 36,000 to renew.
The second renewal (your third year) needs a Renewal Eligibility Report covering your engagements, income and tax compliance so far. You can renew up to 3 months before your pass expires, from inside Malaysia or abroad, and it takes 6–8 weeks. A renewed pass can't run past your passport's expiry date, so renew your passport first if it's close.
Sources: MDEC: Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework FAQ v1 (PDF, Oct 2026) ↗, MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass (incl. the Expats Service Centre notice) ↗, MDEC: DE Rantau Nomad Pass FAQ v9 (PDF) ↗ · read Nov 4, 2026
Not legal or tax advice. MDEC and Malaysia's Immigration Department decide every application and may ask for other documents. MDEC's FAQ has a tax section; we don't summarise tax rules.
Quick answers
Can I apply for DE Rantau right now?
Not as a new applicant. MDEC has closed the window for new applications from 1 to 30 November 2026 while it moves to the Enhanced DE Rantau framework announced in Budget 2027. New applications resume on 1 December 2026. First-time renewals are still accepted during the pause (mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
How much do I need to earn?
For tech roles (software, cloud, cybersecurity, data, AI, digital marketing, UX and similar), more than USD 36,000 a year for applications from 1 December 2026; it was USD 24,000 before. Non-tech roles stay at USD 60,000 a year (mdec.my and mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
How long can I stay on DE Rantau?
The first pass runs 3 to 12 months. Under the enhanced framework you can renew up to three times, 12 months each, for a maximum total of 4 years. Before, the limit was one renewal and 24 months; people who already used those 24 months can apply for further renewals from 1 December 2026 (mdec.my and mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
How much does it cost?
RM1,080 per applicant and RM540 per dependant, including 8% SST, paid online to MDEC when you apply and not refunded if you're rejected. MDEC's FAQ also lists an immigration pass fee of RM90 per 3 months or RM360 a year, and multiple-entry visa charges that vary by country (mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
Do I need to be in Malaysia to apply?
No. You apply online from anywhere. If you're in Malaysia on a tourist pass when you're approved, you have to leave and re-enter (with an eVISA or Visa with Reference if your nationality needs one) before endorsement, because a tourist pass can't be converted (mdec.my and mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
Can I bring my family?
Yes: a spouse, children under 18 (disabled children with no age limit) and, for the main pass holder only, parents. Each dependant pays RM540. A spouse can't work in Malaysia on this pass (mdec.my and mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
What is the Renewal Eligibility Report?
From 1 December 2026, a second renewal (your third year) needs a Renewal Eligibility Report covering your work and client history, income records and sources, and tax compliance during the first pass and first renewal, in MDEC's format with supporting documents (mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).
Does DE Rantau lead to permanent residency?
No. MDEC says it stays a temporary pass with no path to permanent residency or citizenship (mdec.my, read Nov 4, 2026).