Families

DE Rantau for Families: Bringing Your Spouse, Children and Parents to Malaysia

By Anchor Nomad · Updated October 2026

TL;DR: Yes, DE Rantau lets you bring your family. You can add your spouse, children under 18 and your own parents as dependents on the same application. Each dependent pays RM500 + 8% SST (about RM540). Dependents can live in Malaysia for the length of your pass but cannot take local jobs.

Who can be a dependent

Your legal spouse
Your children under 18
Your parents

What it costs for a family

Family	Approximate official fees
Main applicant only	About RM1,080
Applicant + spouse	About RM1,620
Applicant + spouse + 2 children	About RM2,700

Budget separately for health insurance for each family member, notarization and any translations.

Documents you’ll usually need

Passports for every family member (14+ months validity)
Marriage certificate for your spouse
Birth certificates for children (and for proving the parent relationship)
Health insurance covering each dependent in Malaysia
Certified translations for documents not in English or Malay

Practical tips

Order certified copies and translations early; they are often the slowest part.
Make sure names are spelled identically on every document.
Your income needs to meet the threshold for your role; plan for the higher cost of living with a family.

Get your application right the first time

Anchor Nomad is an independent consultancy that helps remote workers and freelancers apply for Malaysia’s DE Rantau digital nomad visa. Our 30-minute consultation costs USD 49 and covers your eligibility, a document checklist review, and a clear timeline and cost breakdown. Book a call.

Facts in this article reflect MDEC guidance as of October 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm on the official MDEC DE Rantau portal before you apply.