A free PDF guide — apply online
A guide to the DE Rantaupass in Malaysia
A state programme for remote professionals: the application is filed without travelling to the country, and a spouse, children and parents come with you. We set out the thresholds by category of profession and how the renewal works.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 12.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not a guarantee of approval. The terms of the programme are revised from time to time.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the programme before you file
Four things that decide the threshold and who can be in the application.
- The threshold turns on the profession
For the technology professions it is from $24,000 a year; for the others the requirement is higher.
- You may apply remotely
The application is filed online through the state portal: there is no need to travel to the country to file.
- The family, and parents too
A spouse, children and — unlike most programmes — parents are included as dependants.
- A pass for 12 months
Renewed for a further 12 months while the conditions hold.
02 / Income
What you will have to evidence
Choose the category of profession and the family: the thresholds differ several times over.
03 / Two categories
The technology professions and the rest
The category sets the income requirement and the documents that go with it.
The values were checked against the official material on 12.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | ITThe technology professions | The restThe other fields |
|---|---|---|
| The annual income | from $24,000 | from $60,000 |
| Who qualifies | development, data, cybersecurity, digital product design | marketing, finance, consulting and other remote professions |
| What you evidence | contracts and a portfolio of projects | contracts and proof of income |
| The term of the pass | 12 months | 12 months |
| Renewal | a further 12 months | a further 12 months |
| Dependants | a spouse, children, parents | a spouse, children, parents |
| Malaysian clients | not allowed | not allowed |
- The annual income
- from $24,000
- from $60,000
- Who qualifies
- development, data, cybersecurity, digital product design
- marketing, finance, consulting and other remote professions
- What you evidence
- contracts and a portfolio of projects
- contracts and proof of income
- The term of the pass
- 12 months
- 12 months
- Renewal
- a further 12 months
- a further 12 months
- Dependants
- a spouse, children, parents
- a spouse, children, parents
- Malaysian clients
- not allowed
- not allowed
The category is settled on the agency’s list: both the threshold and the chances of approval turn on it.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the programme.
- The essentials firstThe key facts of the programme: what decides the matter.
- A comparisonThe terms of the programme in one table.
- How the work runsThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The analysisWhat is checked before the status is granted.
- The limitsWhat affects the timings, the costs and keeping the status.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
The whole filing goes online: there is no need to travel to the country before approval.
- The profession and the income are checked
We settle the category: the income threshold and the set of documents follow from it.
- Gathering the documents
Contracts with foreign clients, statements, a CV, the family’s passports.
- The online application
Filed through the state portal of the programme, with no trip to Malaysia.
- Consideration
The agency’s check on the documents takes 1-2 months.
- Approval and entry
Once approved the pass is issued and the family enters with the applicant.
- Renewal
The pass is renewed for a further 12 months while the conditions hold.
07 / The check
What is examined in the application
The profession and the experience, a year of income, the foreign clients and the dependants’ documents.
- The profession and the experience
It is evidenced that you belong to the category and have professional experience in the field.
- A year of income
Contracts and statements: the sum is set against the threshold for the category chosen.
- Foreign clients
The employer and the clients have to be outside Malaysia.
- The dependants’ documents
Marriage and birth certificates and the parents’ documents, translated.
Parents among the dependants is a rare opening: their documents are prepared along with the main pack.
08 / The limits
What to take into account in advance
Five limits that bear on the term and on the choice of category.
Two years at mostA year plus a renewal
You may not stay longer on this ground — another status is needed.
Local work is prohibitedForeign clients only
Employment with Malaysian companies needs a work visa.
The threshold turns on the category$24,000 against $60,000
Getting the category wrong leads to a refusal or to an inflated requirement.
Not a path to permanent residenceThe pass is temporary
Time on DE Rantau is not counted towards permanent residence.
The terms are settled case by caseThe programme is developing
The requirements and the list of professions are revised by the agency from time to time.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists who file with the Malaysian digital economy agency.
The editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 12 August 2026
- Last updated
- 12 August 2026
The official sources
- The DE Rantau Nomad PassMalaysia Digital Economy Corporation · checked 12.08.2026The categories of profession, the income thresholds, the term of the pass and how to apply.
- The Immigration Department of MalaysiaJabatan Imigresen Malaysia · checked 12.08.2026The rules on the stay of pass holders and their dependants.
- The Malaysia Digital portalMDEC · checked 12.08.2026The general terms of the country’s digital programmes.
10 / Common questions
Questions about the DE Rantau pass
How much do I have to earn?
For the technology professions, from $24,000 a year; for the rest, from $60,000.
Do I have to travel there to apply?
No, the application is filed online through the state portal of the programme.
Whom may I bring?
A spouse, children and parents — they are arranged as dependants.
How long is the pass granted for?
For 12 months, renewed for a further 12 months.
May I work for Malaysian companies?
No, the income has to come from clients outside the country.
Does the pass lead to permanent residence?
No, it is a temporary status for remote work.
Which professions count as technology ones?
Development, data, cybersecurity, digital design and related fields, on the agency’s list.
How long does the process take?
1-2 months from the filing of a complete pack.
Free of charge
Take the guide and an analysis of your category
We will send the PDF with the terms and a preliminary analysis of your profession and income.
- The income thresholds by category
- Which professions count as technology ones
- How to include parents in the application
- The term of the pass and how renewal works