• By  Faiza Mumtaz    09-May-2023 
•   193

Malaysia has recently introduced a Digital Nomad Visa, making it the newest country in Asia to welcome remote workers and digital nomads. The visa is designed to make it easier for individuals who work online to live and work in Malaysia for an extended period. Compared to other digital nomad visas in Asia, Malaysia is currently the easiest to qualify for, and it is open to a wide range of professionals and individuals who meet the visa requirements.

Introduction to Malaysia's Digital Nomad Visa

Malaysia has recently introduced a Digital Nomad Visa, making it the newest country in Asia to welcome remote workers and digital nomads. The visa is designed to make it easier for individuals who work online to live and work in Malaysia for an extended period.

Compared to other digital nomad visas in Asia, Malaysia is currently the easiest to qualify for, and it is open to a wide range of professionals and individuals who meet the visa requirements.

This new initiative could have a significant impact on Malaysia's tourism industry and economy, as digital nomads are known for contributing to the local economy and bringing in new business opportunities.

Malaysia has long been a popular destination for tourists and business travelers, with a social visit pass visa allowing visitors from countries like the US, UK, and Canada to stay for up to 90 days. But the government's recent announcement of a new digital nomad visa, known as DE Rantau, has taken things to the next level.

The visa is designed specifically for remote workers, to make Malaysia the top digital nomad destination in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Now that the first few batches of digital nomad visa applications have been approved, it's clear that Malaysia has succeeded in its goal. In this article, we'll explore the details of Malaysia's DE Rantau digital nomad visa, including its requirements, benefits, the application process, and more.

What is the DE Rantau Program?

The DE Rantau Program is Malaysia's new digital nomad visa scheme, designed to attract remote workers and digital nomads to the country. The program aims to position Malaysia as the top digital nomad destination in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by offering an easy and affordable visa option for those who work online.

The program's name, "DE Rantau," means "go abroad" in Malay, emphasizing the idea of traveling to work remotely in Malaysia. The program has received a lot of attention and positive feedback from digital nomads and remote workers around the world who are looking for a new place to live and work.

What is the DE Rantau Nomad Pass?

The DE Rantau Nomad Pass, also known as Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) Digital Nomad program, is a new visa scheme introduced by the Malaysian government to attract digital nomads and remote workers to the country. The program is designed to make it easier and more affordable for eligible individuals to live and work in Malaysia while taking advantage of the country's high-quality lifestyle, affordable cost of living, and reliable infrastructure.

With the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, digital nomads can stay in Malaysia for up to 12 months, work remotely for clients outside Malaysia, and enjoy the benefits of being part of a vibrant digital nomad community.

Who Qualifies?

• The DE Rantau Pass is available to digital freelancers, independent contractors, and remote workers who earn at least $24,000 per year (or $2,000 per month).

• To qualify, applicants must work in the digital domain, which includes IT, digital marketing, and digital content creation and development.

• Specifically, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) defines the digital domain as encompassing software development, software support and sales, UX/UI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data-related work, and digital currency support.

What Do Applicants Need To Apply?

To apply for the DE Rantau Pass, applicants need to prepare the following documents:

• A copy of their passport bio page.

• Proof of their digital work, such as contracts or invoices.

• Proof of their income, such as bank statements or tax returns.

• A background check report is issued by the authorities in their home country.

• Health insurance coverage is valid in Malaysia for the duration of their stay.

• A personal statement explaining their intention to work remotely in Malaysia.

• US citizens need to pay $450 while UK and European citizens need to pay $224. This payment is refunded when your pass expires.

• All applicants need to pay $225, which will be 75% refunded if the application is denied.

How to Apply?

To apply for the DE Rantau Pass, interested applicants must follow these steps:

• Visit the official MDEC website and fill out the online application form.

• Provide supporting documents, including a passport, resume, employment letter or contract, and a bank statement showing a minimum income of $2,000 per month.

• Pay the visa fee of $225 and the personal bond fee of $450 (for US citizens) or $224 (for UK and European citizens).

To apply for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, applicants need to register online with MDEC's foreign nomad portal and submit scanned and digital copies of the required documents. The entire application process is conducted online, and it takes around 6-8 weeks for applications to be processed.

However, some applicants have reported delayed approval or being put on "keep in view" (KIV) status due to additional manual verification required for their documents or employers. Despite these minor setbacks, many applicants have praised the program's responsive support from MDEC, as the DE Rantau Nomad Pass blazes the trail for other nomad visas in Asia.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As more people continue to work remotely and live the digital nomad lifestyle, the demand for flexible visa options continues to grow. Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass is the latest offering in this space, and it's quickly becoming one of the most popular options in Asia. With its relatively low-income requirement and straightforward application process, it's a great option for digital freelancers, independent contractors, and remote workers looking to base themselves in Southeast Asia.

It's still early days for the DE Rantau program, and some applicants have reported delays in the approval process. However, overall feedback has been positive, with many nomads praising MDEC's support and responsiveness. With Malaysia's growing tech industry, attractive cost of living, and diverse culture and cuisine, it's no surprise that the country is positioning itself as a top destination for digital nomads.

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