DE Rantau | Malaysia's Digital Nomad Visa
Move to Malaysia with
DE Rantau, the Digital Nomad visa
Anchor Nomad is an independent consultancy that helps remote workers and freelancers apply for Malaysia’s DE Rantau digital nomad visa, starting with a 30-minute consultation call.
2 Years + 2 Years
At least $2,000/Month
4 weeks to 8 weeks
What is the DE Rantau visa?
In short: DE Rantau is Malaysia's official digital nomad visa, run by MDEC. If you earn at least USD 24,000 a year (USD 60,000 for non-tech roles) working remotely, you can live in Malaysia for up to 2 years with your family, and eligible holders can now extend for 2 more years under Budget 2027 (2 years + 2 years). The official fee is about RM1,080 and approval takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Key features & eligibility criteria
Profession
Built for digital freelancers, remote employees and independent tech contractors who work for clients or employers based outside Malaysia.
Income
Earn at least USD 24,000 a year in tech and digital roles, or USD 60,000 a year in other remote roles, shown through recent payslips or bank statements.
Contracts
Show active client contracts or a formal remote employment letter from a company registered outside Malaysia.
Validity
2 Years + 2 Years. The pass covers up to 2 years (12 months, renewable once for 12 more), and under Budget 2027 eligible holders who reach that limit can extend for a further 2 years, up to 4 years in total.
Dependents
Your spouse, children under 18 and parents can join you as dependents on the same application.
Nationals
Open to most passports worldwide, with an inclusive approach to digital nomads. Israeli nationals are not eligible.
Total cost of the DE Rantau visa
No hidden surprises. Here's what you'll pay in official fees and essentials before you start.
DE Rantau Pass
Main applicant
≈ RM 1,080
≈ USD 265Dependent Pass
Spouse, children or parents
≈ RM 540 / each
≈ USD 132 eachMedical Insurance
Required, valid in Malaysia
RM 100–200 / month
≈ USD 25–50 / monthDocumentation
Notarisation and certified copies
Varies
USD varies by countryPlease note: Fees are based on MDEC's current official rates and may change with MDEC updates. USD amounts are approximate, based on about RM 4.1 to USD 1, and will move with exchange rates. We'll confirm the latest figures with you before you apply.
What you need to prepare
Passport
14+ months validity
Passport photo
Digital copy (White bg)
CV / Resume
Updated professional bio
Proof of income
Past 3 months
Employment letter
Or active contracts
Academic certifications
Degree or Diploma
Personal bond
Signed & Stamped
Medical insurance
Coverage in Malaysia
A calm, four-step process
30-min call
We meet to discuss your specific situation. No hard pitch, just honest answers about your eligibility.
Document vetting
We review your entire portfolio of documents to ensure everything matches the strict MDEC criteria.
Review & improve
If anything is weak (contracts, letters, proof), we work together to strengthen the evidence for approval.
Apply properly
Once the package is bulletproof, we submit through the official portal with full confidence.
30-minute Google Meet call · or send your details and we’ll reply within 24 hours
Questions people usually ask
What is DE Rantau, Malaysia's Digital Nomad Visa?
DE Rantau is Malaysia’s official digital nomad visa, run by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). The DE Rantau Nomad Pass lets remote workers, freelancers and tech professionals live in Malaysia legally while working for employers or clients based outside the country. It is issued for 12 months at first and can be renewed for another 12 months, giving you up to two years in Malaysia. Under Budget 2027, eligible holders who reach that two-year limit can extend for another two years, so the visa now runs 2 years + 2 years (up to four years in total). You can also bring your spouse, children and parents as dependents on the same application. Popular bases for DE Rantau holders include Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru, all offering fast internet, affordable living and a growing nomad community. At Anchor Nomad, we help you prepare a strong application so you can move to Malaysia with confidence.
Which countries are eligible for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass?
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is open to almost every nationality in the world. Applicants from the UK, the US, Europe, Australia, Canada, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the rest of Asia can all apply. The only nationality currently excluded is Israel. Malaysian citizens cannot apply, since the pass is designed for foreign remote workers. In practice, your paperwork matters more than your passport, so focus on meeting the income, contract and insurance requirements. If you are unsure about your situation, Anchor Nomad can confirm your eligibility in a 30 minute call.
What are the eligibility criteria for DE Rantau?
To qualify for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, you must be at least 18 years old and work remotely for an employer or clients based outside Malaysia. Tech and digital professionals, such as software developers, designers, data analysts, digital marketers and content creators, need a minimum annual income of USD 24,000. Remote workers in other fields need at least USD 60,000 a year. You will also need a passport valid for at least 14 months and health insurance that covers your stay in Malaysia. MDEC asks for proof of income such as payslips, invoices or bank statements, along with a valid employment contract or client agreements. Anchor Nomad reviews every document with you before submission so nothing gets flagged.
How much does the DE Rantau visa cost?
The official MDEC fee for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass is RM1,000 for the main applicant, plus 8% service tax, which comes to about RM1,080. Each dependent costs RM500 plus tax, or about RM540. These government fees are not refundable, so it pays to get your application right the first time. You should also budget for health insurance, document notarization and any translations you need. Compared with long term visas in many other countries, DE Rantau is widely seen as one of the more affordable digital nomad visas in Asia. Our own consultation with Anchor Nomad starts at USD 49 for a 30 minute call.
Can I work or do business in Malaysia with a DE Rantau visa?
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass lets you work remotely from Malaysia for employers and clients based abroad. It does not allow you to take a job with a Malaysian company or join the local workforce. The pass is built around income that comes from outside Malaysia. If you want to start or run a business in Malaysia, you will need a different route, such as registering a company and applying for the right business or employment pass. Rules on taking local freelance clients are narrow, so it is best to check your exact situation before accepting Malaysian work. Anchor Nomad can walk you through the safest options so you stay fully compliant.
How long does DE Rantau approval take?
Most DE Rantau Nomad Pass applications are approved within 4 to 8 weeks after a complete submission to MDEC. The timeline depends on how clear your documents are and how busy MDEC is at the time. Incomplete paperwork, unclear income proof and mismatched contracts are the most common reasons for delays. Once approved, your approval letter stays valid for six months, which gives you time to plan your move. You then enter Malaysia and collect your pass in person. At Anchor Nomad, we check everything before you apply, so you avoid unnecessary back and forth with the authorities.
Do I need to be in Malaysia to apply for DE Rantau?
No, you do not need to be in Malaysia to apply for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass. The whole application is submitted online through the MDEC portal, so you can apply from your home country or wherever you are working. After approval, you travel to Malaysia and collect your pass in person. If you are already in Malaysia on a visitor visa when you are approved, you may need to exit and enter the country again to activate the pass. This makes DE Rantau one of the easiest digital nomad visas to start from anywhere in the world. Anchor Nomad works with clients remotely across every time zone, so you can begin the process today.
Can I bring my family on the DE Rantau Nomad Pass?
Yes, DE Rantau allows you to bring your family to Malaysia as dependents. Your spouse, children under 18 and your own parents can be added to the same application. Each dependent pays a separate fee of RM500 plus service tax. Dependents can live in Malaysia with you for the full length of your pass, but they cannot take up local employment. You will need supporting documents such as marriage and birth certificates, and some may need notarization or translation. Anchor Nomad helps families prepare these documents so the whole household can relocate together.
What if my DE Rantau application gets rejected?
Most DE Rantau rejections come from unclear income proof, weak remote work contracts or missing documents. MDEC government fees are not refundable, so a rejection costs you both time and money. The good news is that you can usually reapply once the issues are fixed. We review what went wrong, strengthen your evidence and help you submit a better application. When we prepare your application together from the start, the risk of rejection is much lower. Our goal at Anchor Nomad is to get it right the first time.
How much does Anchor Nomad charge?
Our 30 minute DE Rantau consultation call costs USD 49. In that call, we assess your eligibility, review your documents and give you a clear timeline and cost breakdown. If you want full support with your application, we agree on the scope and price before any money changes hands. The final cost depends on your profile and the number of dependents you are bringing. MDEC government fees are paid separately and directly through the official portal. There is no pressure and no hard sell, just honest answers about moving to Malaysia.
Book a direct
1:1 call with a
DE Rantau Expert
- Personalized eligibility assessment
- Document checklist review
- Timeline and cost breakdown