Malaysia is becoming the latest country in announced a new digital nomad visa. With its ´DE Rantau Nomad Pass,´ the southeast Asian country looks forward to becoming the next big digital nomad hub. It has projects to build digital nomad communities and remote work hubs throughout the country.
Before the pandemic, Bali was considered the digital nomad oasis for most travelers who loved everything about the country. With multiple coworking spaces, exotic places, and cheap food and cost of living, Bali was a must for remote workers. Now that the pandemic has led countries to redefine visas and legal permits, other countries are on the list to become the next digital nomad big hot spot, and amongst them is Malaysia.
Everything About Malaysia´s Digital Nomad Visa
The new visa was recently announced by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) – a government initiative to boost the country´s digital nomad revolution. The ´DE Rantau” program targets both local and international digital nomads.
Those earning over €24,000 per year are eligible for Malaysia´s digital nomad visa. The visa fee is €221, and those who get it will have exclusive offers to work in Malaysia´s remote working hubs.
To be eligible, applicants must be:
- Freelancers
- Independent contractor
- Full-time remote employee
Applicants are required to show proof of employment, such as a contract of at least three months with local or foreign clientele. The visa allows digital nomads to stay for 3 to 12 months, and it’s renewable for up to another 12 months.
Additionally, applicants can bring their families under the scheme for €110 per dependent.
Applications for the 12-month DE Rantau Nomad Pass open on 1 October 2022.
Compared to Western countries, Malaysia is a paradise because of the low cost of living. According to the financial tech company Wise, the average monthly cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is €487, not including rent.
