Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Guide

Want to live and work remotely in Malaysia? Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa offers an opportunity for remote workers and freelancers to stay in Malaysia for up to two years. But how to apply for digital nomad visa in Malaysia?

Learn all about the digital nomad visa for Malaysia, including eligibility criteria and the application process, in our comprehensive guide.

Table of contents

• Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa in 2024: Rules and Benefits
• Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
• Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
• Documents Required to Apply for Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa
• Malaysia Visa Photo Requirements
• Get a Malaysia Visa Photo Online!
• Malaysia Visa Photo Tool
• Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Cost
• Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Processing Time

Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa in 2024: Rules and Benefits

The Malaysian Digital Nomad visa, also known as the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, allows remote workers to live and work in Malaysia for three months to one year. This can be extended for an additional 12 months if you continue to meet the required criteria. Applicants can also include their immediate family members, such as a spouse and dependent children under 18.

Malaysia digital nomad pass is open to applicants of all nationalities. You can apply online through the De Rantau Digital Nomad Pass Website.

Thus, the benefits of Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa include:

Exclusive access: Visa holders get access to resources and amenities tailored for digital nomads, such as specific living and working hubs, curated local services, and discount vouchers.

Multiple entry: The visa permits multiple entries into Peninsular Malaysia. However, entering Sabah or Sarawak requires a tourist pass.

Flexible stay duration: The visa allows a stay ranging from 3 to 12 months, with the option of a Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa renewal for an additional 12 months.

Family inclusion: Passholders can bring their spouse and children, making it a family-friendly option for digital nomads wishing to travel with their loved ones.

Do I need to pay tax in Malaysia if I work overseas? – If your work is based overseas, you are generally not required to pay taxes in Malaysia. The Malaysian tax system focuses on taxing income earned within the country, not outside it. As long as you don't spend more than 182 days in Malaysia within a year, you are considered a non-resident and are not subject to Malaysian income tax.

However, if you are a remote worker and your earnings come from Malaysian sources, you may be taxed on that income. For instance, if you are a freelancer or an independent contractor working for a Malaysian client, you might need to pay Malaysia digital nomad visa tax on the money earned from that client.

Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

To qualify for the Malaysia digital nomad visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 14 months when you apply.
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You need to have a minimum annual income of at least USD 24,000.
• You must provide a clean criminal record from your current place of residence.
• You must secure an international health insurance policy that covers the entire duration of your stay in Malaysia.
• You should be working remotely in the digital field, such as:
  • Digital marketing
  • Digital creative content
  • Digital content development
  • Software development
  • User Experience (UX)
  • User Interface (UI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Blockchain technology
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Machine learning
  • Data-related fields
• In addition, you will need to show proof of your work and income to ensure you can support yourself financially while in Malaysia.

Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Application Process

For a Malaysia digital nomad visa apply online, follow these steps:

1. Go to the De Rantau Digital Nomad Pass Website. Use your personal email to sign up. After registration, you’ll receive a verification code to log in.
2. Then, you will need to choose between being a digital freelancer / independent contractor or a remote worker. If you work independently without being tied to a specific company or location, select digital freelancer / independent contractor. If you work for a company with flexible work arrangements, choose the remote worker option.
3. Fill out the Application Form.
4. Upload required documents. Ensure all your documents are in English or have been translated into English. Each document should be uploaded as a single PDF file, with a maximum size of 20 MB.
5. Pay the Application Fee and wait for Confirmation. You will receive the decision on your visa application via email.

Documents Required to Apply for Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa

When you apply for a Malaysia digital nomad visa, you need to upload the following documents through the online application portal:

• Passport, with at least 14 months of validity and six blank pages.
• Visa photo that adheres to Malaysia's photo requirements.
• Latest three months’ bank statements and a yearly income statement. A minimum annual income of USD 24,000 is required for foreigners.
• Payslips from the last three months.
• Current CV reflecting your latest professional achievements.
• Letter of Good Conduct or Statutory Declaration Form from an authorized body in your country of residence, which can take 2–3 months.
• Personal Bond Form that declares that you will adhere to your visa conditions and Malaysian laws.
• Highest Educational Certificates, diplomas, and any other relevant qualifications or awards.
• Health Insurance. While you don't need to submit proof of health insurance when applying, you will need to provide it upon visa approval and entry into Malaysia.
• Proof of Work:
  • If you are a digital freelancer or independent contractor, submit an active project contract that is at least three months old (can combine multiple contracts) with local or international clients.
  • If you are a remote worker, provide an active employment contract of at least three months with a non-Malaysian company.

Note: All documents must be in English or translated into English. Each document should be uploaded as a single PDF file, with a size limit of 20 MB.

Malaysia Visa Photo Requirements

When applying for a visa to Malaysia, ensure that your photo meets the following criteria:

• Malaysia visa photo should measure 35×50 mm.
• Your face should take up approximately 70% of the photo, with a height between 2.5 cm and 3.0 cm.
• The resolution should be 600 DPI. The digital file size should be between 10 KB and 350 KB.
• The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
• The photo must be in color.
• A blue background is specifically required for this visa.
• You should face the camera directly with a neutral expression, keeping both eyes open and mouth closed.
• Eyeglasses are not allowed unless required for medical reasons.
• Hats are not allowed. However, head coverings worn for religious reasons are allowed as long as they do not cover your face or cast shadows on it.

Here is an example of a Malaysia visa photo:

Get a Malaysia Visa Photo Online!

Want a perfect Malaysia Visa Photo in no time? Get your Malaysia visa picture easily from anywhere in the world using Visafoto.com, a top-tier online photo editing service with a 99.7% approval rate.

Just take a photo against a plain white background using your phone or digital camera and upload it to Visafoto.com. Visafoto will make the necessary adjustments, such as resizing, reformatting, changing the background color, and adjusting face positioning, to ensure compliance with Malaysia Visa photo specifications.

You'll get both a digital version for online submissions and a print-ready version. Plus, if you're not satisfied with the result, we offer a full refund.

First, take a photo of yours like this one:

You will have two types of photos. Digital photography is suitable for electronic applications, while the other is designed for printing.

Malaysia Visa Photo Tool

For an even more convenient experience, try the 7ID App by Visafoto.com. This user-friendly app makes it simple to create ID, passport, and visa photos using your smartphone. 7ID is available for both iPhone and Android users.

Just upload your photo to the app and choose the document type and country. The app will automatically modify your photo to meet official requirements, adjusting size, format, background color, and ensuring proper alignment of your face and eyes. You'll also receive a digital file and a print template.

For superior results, use 7ID's Expert Tool. This feature employs advanced algorithms to enhance your photos, no matter how complex the background. For those needing photo Malaysia digital nomad visa help, our technical support team is available 24/7.

Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Cost

The cost of obtaining a digital nomad visa for Malaysia is approximately RM 1,000 (about USD 220). If you plan to bring dependents such as a spouse or children, there is an additional fee of RM 500 (around USD 110) per dependent.

In case your visa application is denied, you are eligible for a 75% refund on the processing fee.

Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks.

Make your visa application less of a hassle by using Visafoto.com and 7ID App! Good luck with getting your Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa!