Companies are now able to offer full-time remote work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This created new possibilities for those who desire a life of digital nomadism. Many European nations have begun to issue digital nomad visas to attract overseas remote employees. Malaysia is the most recent country to announce the new digital nomad visas under the De Rantau program, open to applicants from 1st October. This program is supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a government agency appointed for promoting the country’s digital economy. The concept behind the visa is to encourage digital professional mobility while giving the tourism industry a vital boost.
Are you planning to apply for the Malaysia digital nomad visa? As a digital nomad in Malaysia, you will find plenty of fun things to do while working. Imagine engulfing your toes and having a peaceful moment in the sand at a beachside cafe with hot steaming Nasi Kerabu and enjoying the beautiful sea and your laptop. Nomads can choose to live in bustling cities, or surrounded by lush rainforests or idyllic beaches, or visit the colonial architectural buildings. In short, this beautiful country in Southeast Asia has so much to offer.
Who is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is one who travels and uses technology to manage business remotely from locations other than their nation of residence.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
It is important to get the Malaysia visa options explained before you apply for any one of them. Here, we will talk about the digital nomad visa. A digital nomad visa is a special category of visa intended for location-independent professionals, remote workers, and travelers that allows them to legally reside in the country for an extended period. Malaysia’s digital nomad visa program lets approved applicants stay in Malaysia typically between 90 days to 12 months based on the visa type, with options for easy renewals. The shortest 90-day digital nomad visa on a Tourist eVisa costs around $80 while the 12-month Employment Pass for remote workers costs approximately $300.
Costs vary based on nationality and visa duration. A key benefit is that Malaysia’s digital nomad visa is multiple entry, permitting exits/re-entries from Malaysia through the validity period. This provides more flexibility for nomads as compared to a Malaysia single-entry visa online. With Malaysia actively encouraging digital nomads, the application process is straightforward including online applications, fast processing and digital approval letters. The validity period and renewals make Malaysia’s digital nomad visa uniquely suited for remote workers looking to temporarily relocate.
Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The De Rantau program aims at attracting both local as well as foreign digital nomads. To be eligible, you must be a freelancer, an independent contractor, or a remote worker working in the digital domain. IT professionals are preferred for this kind of visa, including software developers, cyber security experts, digital marketing experts, and digital content creators and developers.
You must show proof of employment, such as an employment contract or multiple contracts that have been active for at least three months, and the company could be foreign one or based in Malaysia.
The digital nomad visa is available only to those foreign digital nomads earning more than 24000 US$ and more than 7863 US$ or 36000 ringgits for local digital nomads per year.
Types Of Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa
Malaysia offers a specialized category of non-immigrant eVisas under its digital nomad visa program targeted at location-independent remote workers and travelers. There are two main types:
- One Year Pass – This provides renewable residency rights to digital nomads by allowing stays up to 12 months through a multi-entry visa. It costs around $250.
- Work Pass (Employment) – Designed for remote workers employed overseas, this offers residency rights linked to an employment contract with automatic renewals. Costs around $300.
Beyond these long-term digital nomad visas, Malaysia also offers regular Tourist eVisas that function as shorter-term nomad visas:
- Single Entry Tourist Visa – Allows a 90-day stay for digital nomads. Costs $80.
- Multiple Entry Tourist Visa – Valid for 180 days with multiple entries allowed. Costs $100.
All these visa types permit living in Malaysia for an extended period as a location-independent worker or traveler. The application process and eligibility criteria are similar across these visas. Costs vary based on validity durations. Contact the nearest Malaysia embassy to identify the best digital nomad visa in Malaysia for your needs.
Is the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa multiple-entry?
Yes, Malaysia’s digital nomad visa program does enable multiple entries in and out of Malaysia within the validity period of an approved visa. For short-term tourist eVisa variations used as nomad visas, the 90-day visa permits a single-entry while the 180-day visa option is issued as a multiple-entry visa. For long-term passes like the One Year Pass or Employment Pass, multiple-entry rights are automatically granted as part of the visa.
So digital nomads can exit and re-enter Malaysia without needing to reapply for any of these visas if the entry is within the validity window. This makes travel to neighboring countries like Thailand and Indonesia convenient. The only exception is if a visa renewal or new application is pending after its expiration – in those cases, re-entry may be restricted until the extension/new approval is received by the applicant.
How to Apply for a Malaysia eVisa for a Digital Nomad
The process of applying for a Malaysia eVisa is the same as that of a Malaysia visa for tourists. Travellers need:
1. Passport from an eligible country, valid for at least six months
Your passport must be from one of the eligible countries for the Malaysia digital nomad visa, which includes the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, and European Union or Schengen area countries. It must have at least 6 months validity remaining from the date you enter Malaysia. Two blank pages are also required for visa stamps during entry and exit. Submit a scanned color copy of your passport’s information/photo page when applying online.
2. Passport-style photograph
Applicants need one recent passport-style photo to include in the Malaysia eVisa application form. It must meet all the standard photo size requirements, featuring the applicant’s full face with a plain white background. Glasses may be worn if necessary. Be sure there are no shadows or reflections on the photo before uploading it in the required digital format during your visa application.
3. Confirmed return flight reservation
While your onward or return flight does not need to be a fully confirmed booking, you must upload proof of travel reservations leaving Malaysia. This shows immigration authorities the temporary nature of your digital nomad visa stays between 90 to 180 days. Any refundable flight bookings are accepted. Some applicants choose to buy inexpensive refundable tickets that allow visa approval first, cancelling them after.
4. Proof of accommodation
As a digital nomad visa holder, you must provide documentation showing confirmed bookings for your first 14 nights of accommodation in Malaysia or a rental/ownership agreement if staying at your own property. Standard documents like hotel reservations, Airbnb bookings, rental contracts or property deeds must clearly show your name and full valid stay dates.
Once you have submitted your application, your Malaysia evisa will be processed within 48 hours, provided that they do not fall on weekends or public holidays.
Length of Stay in Malaysia on a Digital Nomad Visa
The De Rantau program allows nomads to stay in Malaysia for up to 3 to 12 months. This visa is renewable for another 12 months. As per the current visa rules, remote workers from countries like the UK and the US can stay visa-free in Malaysia for 90 days. Non-exempt countries’ citizens must apply for a visa, an employment pass, or a professional visit pass.
Application Fee for a Digital Nomad Visa
The application process for the digital nomad visa is online. The fee for the main applicant is 1000 ringgit (218 US$). Applicants are allowed to bring their spouse or children under this scheme for a cost of 500 ringgit (109 US$) per dependent.
Benefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Malaysia
Malaysia offers an attractive destination for digital nomads with its ease of getting long-term visas, low cost of living, high-speed internet infrastructure, and cultural diversity. Some key benefits of working as a location-independent professional in Malaysia include:
- Access to both vibrant big cities like Kuala Lumpur and George Town as well as relaxing tropical islands/beaches allowing a great work-life balance.
- Affordable accommodation options like high-end condominiums with dedicated co-working spaces designed for nomads. Prices range from $500 per month.
- Excellent digital infrastructure like 5G internet connectivity even on islands enables productive remote work. Internet speeds average over 100Mbps nationwide.
- Friendly environment for entrepreneurs with government incentives for startups and easy company registration processes like in Penang’s Silicon Valley.
- Lower costs for basics like food, amenities, transit allows stretching budgets further unlike most western cities.
With its tourist-friendly image and stable pro-business environment, Malaysia makes an excellent base for modern remote professionals and travelers seeking an Asian hive of multicultural modernity blended with tropical paradise.
Reasons Why Digital Nomads Prefer to Live in Malaysia
Malaysia is the most preferred location for many remote workers as it has diverse landscapes, which include tea plantations, bustling cities, and a blissful island. Home to more than three million ex-pats, Kuala Lumpur has been ranked as the second-best Asian city to settle in. There are many reasons why Malaysia has been getting a lot of heed from remote workers or digital nomads in recent years.
1) Strong Cafe Culture and Fast Wi-Fi
Malaysia has good and improved internet connectivity, especially in Kuala Lumpur, where fiber optic Wi-Fi is available. Whichever place you settle in Malaysia, you will enjoy cafe culture, providing you with plenty of space to work outside the home and coworking spaces. Mobile plans or recharge is inexpensive, and the mobile service offers good backup WI-FI stability.
2) Healthcare
Compared with the US or Europe, Malaysia offers the best healthcare and is highly affordable to the people living there. Global health insurance is a must, especially for remote workers.
3) Multicultural Society
Malaysia has a vibrant multicultural society where Chinese, Indian, and Malay people come together. Although Islam is the country’s official religion, there are many Christians, Buddhists, and Hindu populations too. The important thing is that most people speak English, and you will face no trouble communicating with the people in the major cities.
4) Low Cost of Living
Malaysia offers you the best quality lifestyle for a snippet of what you would pay in the US or Europe. Malaysia is a budget-friendly country, as it is very affordable, and it is an ideal country when you want your money to go further.
5) Safety
Malaysia is considered the safest country for visitors as it has a low crime rate. Violent crimes are very low in Malaysia, although petty crimes are common. So make sure your belongings are secure and safe. It is also considered safe for women to travel alone in Malaysia.
Malaysia is a blend of tradition, culture and modernity, along with attractive leisure activities, friendly locals, numerous professional opportunities, and a thriving digital revolution, making it a much sought-after destination for digital nomads from all over the world.
More Important Details about Malaysia’s Nomad Visa
Malaysia’s digital nomad visa program allows location-independent remote workers, entrepreneurs, and travelers to legally live in Malaysia for an extended period between 90 to 180 days. Here are some more details about it.
- Available for citizens of selected countries including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, and EU/Schengen nations
- Two options with either a 90-day or 180-day validity that must be selected upfront
- Multiple-entry validity allowing exits/re-entries within the visa validity period
- Approval processing time is quick at just 1-2 business days after submitting the complete eVisa application
- Fully online application process with scanned documents and emailed visa approval letter
- Extended stays possible via easy renewal/re-application procedures before current visa expiration
- Costs between $80 to $100+ depending on nationality, allowing stays in all regions of peninsular Malaysia
By meeting all eligibility criteria, required documents, and clearly stating temporary visit reasons, digital nomads can take advantage of Malaysia’s user-friendly remote work visa program. Contact the nearest Malaysia embassy for any additional questions.