Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa — DE Rantau Sarawak Nomad Pass

Minimum income $2,000/month $24,000/year

Stay 12 → 24 months, renewable

Application fee $528 plus $264 per dependent

Tax Standard

Path to staying

Visa12 months
Renewup to 24 months

Leads to residency
Leads to citizenship

Overview

Country: Malaysia
Visa name: DE Rantau Sarawak Nomad Pass
Local name: —
Program type: Formal dn visa
Status: Active
Initial duration: 12 months
Max duration: 24 months
Income requirement: $2,000/month ($24,000/year)
Application fee: $528
Tax status: Standard

Requirements

Health insurance not required
Criminal record check not required
Proof of accommodation not required
Proof of employment or clients required
University degree not required

What you can do

Work for local companies
Freelancers eligible
Employees eligible
Work permit included no
Bring dependents
Multiple entry
Open a local bank account no

Family and dependents

Dependents allowed: Yes
Dependent fee: $264

Tax

Tax status: Standard
Foreign income taxed: No
Tax residency trigger: 182 days

How to apply

Application method: online, in country
Processing time: 42–56 days
Can apply in-country: Yes
Multiple entry: Yes
Can open bank account: No
Renewable: Yes

Notes

Professional Visit Pass run by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation for digital freelancers and remote workers. It allows stay and remote work in Sarawak and in Peninsular Malaysia. The federal DE Rantau Nomad Pass does not. Sabah is still entered on a tourist pass. The two passes share one 24-month ceiling: time on the federal pass counts toward the Sarawak maximum, and the reverse is also true. The grant is 3 to 12 months, renewable once for up to 12 more months. Only digital work qualifies. The income test is more than USD 24,000 a year. There is no USD 60,000 non-tech track on this pass. Savings and investment statements are not accepted in place of contracts, invoices or an employment letter. A remote employer must be a non-Malaysian company. A freelancer may have foreign or Malaysian clients. A spouse cannot work. The fee on submission is RM2,160 for the applicant and RM1,080 per dependent, including 8% SST, paid to SDEC and not refunded. The programme page still shows RM2,000 and RM1,000, the amounts before SST. Immigration then charges RM90 for every three months or RM360 for a year. The pass sticker is collected at the Sarawak Immigration Office in Kuching. An approval letter is valid for three months and cannot be extended. USD figures use Bank Negara Malaysia's middle rate of 4.0885 ringgit per US dollar on 9 October 2026. SDEC says there is no tax benefit. Employment carried out in Malaysia is taxable under section 13(2) of the Income Tax Act 1967. A stay of 60 days or less can fall under the short-employment exemption. A non-resident pays a flat 30%. A resident pays the scale rates. The FAQ describes residence as more than 182 days. Israeli citizens may apply, but entry still needs Ministry of Home Affairs approval.

Also in Malaysia

Malaysia also offers these long-term residency programs

Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 10, 2026 Source

Change history

Oct 10, 2026

Added

created. DE Rantau Sarawak is a separate Professional Visit Pass for Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, at more than USD 24,000 a year, RM2,160 including 8% SST, for 3 to 12 months and one renewal, sharing the federal 24-month ceiling (https://sdec.com.my/web/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260511_FAQ-SDRP.pdf).