DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass)
[Applicant Name]
[Current Address]
Email: [Email]
Date: [Application Date]
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)
DE Rantau Programme
Level 13, Menara Maxis, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
APPLICATION FOR DE RANTAU NOMAD PASS (DIGITAL NOMAD PASS)
Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) | DE Rantau Programme Guidelines | MDEC Digital Nomad Pass
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, [Applicant Name] (Passport No. [Passport Details], Date of Birth: [Date of Birth]), hereby apply for a DE Rantau Nomad Pass for a period of [Pass Duration], in accordance with the DE Rantau Programme Guidelines administered by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
EMPLOYMENT PARTICULARS
Overseas Employer / Client: [Employer / Client]
Employment Type: [Employment Type]
Job Title / Work Description: [Job Title]
Annual Income (USD): [Annual Income]
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED
[Proof of Income Documents]
DEPENDANTS
[Dependants]
I confirm that my income is derived entirely from overseas sources and that I will not be employed by or engaged in any commercial activity with a Malaysian entity during my stay in Malaysia. I acknowledge that the DE Rantau Nomad Pass is issued for the purpose of digital nomad activities only, and that any employment with a Malaysian employer requires a separate Employment Pass under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
I declare that all information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Yours sincerely,
Applicant
________________
Signature
What Is a DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass)?
A DE Rantau Application in Malaysia records the information required to apply for the registration or permit involved.
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is designed for foreign nationals who are employed by or provide freelance services to companies outside Malaysia — primarily in tech, content creation, digital marketing, and related fields. Unlike the Employment Pass under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the DE Rantau pass does not require sponsorship by a Malaysian employer and does not permit the holder to be employed by a Malaysian entity. The pass allows the holder to live in Malaysia while working remotely for foreign clients or employers, subject to meeting the income and employment verification requirements.
MDEC administers the DE Rantau programme in partnership with the Immigration Department of Malaysia and the Ministry of Communications and Digital. The programme is part of Malaysia's broader Malaysia Digital (MD) ecosystem, which succeeded the MSC Malaysia initiative under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) 2021-2030. The DE Rantau pass is valid for 12 months (for employed digital professionals) or 3 months (for freelancers on a trial basis), and is renewable. Dependants — spouse and children under 18 — may accompany the primary pass holder under the same Social Visit Pass provisions.
DE Rantau hubs — co-working and networking spaces operated in partnership with MDEC — are located in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi, providing DE Rantau pass holders with community infrastructure, networking events, and support services. Successful applicants receive a DE Rantau digital badge and access to MDEC's digital talent ecosystem.
The legal framework governing the DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass) in Malaysia draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Parties executing a DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass) in Malaysia should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) sets the foundational requirements.
When Do You Need a DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass)?
A DE Rantau application is needed by foreign digital professionals, remote workers, and freelancers who wish to live in Malaysia and work remotely for clients or employers based outside Malaysia.
A DE Rantau application is needed by software developers, UX designers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, and other tech professionals employed by foreign technology companies who wish to base themselves in Malaysia for an extended period while continuing their remote employment. Malaysia's combination of affordable cost of living, high-speed internet infrastructure, international school availability, and tropical climate makes it attractive to digital nomads.
A DE Rantau application is needed by digital content creators, social media managers, digital marketing specialists, and e-commerce professionals who work independently for multiple foreign clients through platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, or direct contracts. The freelancer category of DE Rantau pass (valid 3 months, renewable) accommodates self-employed digital professionals who lack a single employer.
A DE Rantau application is needed by remote workers whose Malaysian tourist visa (standard social visit pass of up to 90 days for most nationalities under Immigration Act 1959/63 Schedule 4) is insufficient for their intended stay. The DE Rantau pass provides a legal framework for stays beyond the tourist visa period without overstaying or engaging in visa-run practices.
A DE Rantau application is needed by digital professionals who want to bring their family to Malaysia. The DE Rantau pass permits dependants — spouse and children under 18 — on the same Social Visit Pass, allowing families to live legally in Malaysia for the duration of the pass.
A DE Rantau renewal is needed when an existing DE Rantau pass holder's 12-month pass is due to expire and they wish to continue residing in Malaysia. Renewal applications are submitted through the DE Rantau portal (derantau.mdec.my) with updated income and employment evidence.
What to Include in Your DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass)
A complete DE Rantau Nomad Pass application through the MDEC portal must contain the following essential elements.
Personal Information: Full name as in passport, passport number and expiry, nationality, date of birth, gender, and contact details. The passport must be valid for at least 14 months (to allow for processing time plus the 12-month pass validity).
Income Proof — Employed Digital Professional: For applicants employed by a foreign company, proof of a minimum annual gross income of USD 24,000 (approximately RM 113,000 at prevailing exchange rates). Accepted evidence includes: employment letter on company letterhead confirming the employment relationship and salary; last three months' payslips; and three months' bank statements showing salary credits. The employer must be a company registered and operating outside Malaysia.
Income Proof — Freelancer: For freelancers, proof of digital income of at least USD 24,000 per year from foreign sources. Accepted evidence includes: client contracts for digital services, invoices issued to foreign clients, bank statements showing payment receipts, and platform payment records (Upwork, PayPal, Stripe, etc.).
Employment Nature Verification: Documentation confirming the nature of the applicant's digital work — such as a job description, portfolio, project scope documents, or a personal statement explaining the nature of remote work and the digital sector involved. MDEC verifies that the work falls within the eligible digital economy sectors (tech, content, digital marketing, e-commerce, etc.).
Travel Documents for Dependants: Valid passports for spouse and children under 18 who will accompany the applicant. Dependant applications are submitted together with the primary application through the DE Rantau portal.
Health Insurance: Valid thorough medical insurance covering treatment in Malaysia, from an insurer licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia or an equivalent recognised foreign insurer. The minimum coverage amount should align with MDEC's DE Rantau guidelines as published on derantau.mdec.my.
Application Fee: The DE Rantau application fee payable online through the portal. For the 12-month pass (employed category), the fee is RM 1,000 per person. For the 3-month pass (freelancer category), the applicable fee is stated in the current DE Rantau fee schedule.
Additional compliance elements for a DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass) used in Malaysia include: Under Malaysian law, the Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136) governs contractual obligations. The Companies Act 2016 (Act 777) regulates corporate entities through the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). The Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) and the Department of Labour govern employment matters. The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) and the Personal Data Protection Department protect personal data. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) administers tax obligations. The Industrial Court adjudicates employment disputes under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Malaysia-compliant documentation.
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Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass) (Malaysia) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/immigration/de-rantau-application-malaysia
"DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass) (Malaysia)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/immigration/de-rantau-application-malaysia.
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title = {DE Rantau Application (Malaysia Digital Nomad Pass) (Malaysia)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/malaysia/personal/immigration/de-rantau-application-malaysia}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Contracts Act 1950 (Act 136)}
}Frequently Asked Questions
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is open to foreign nationals of all nationalities (subject to immigration eligibility under the Immigration Act 1959/63) who work remotely in the digital economy for clients or employers outside Malaysia. Eligible applicants must: earn a minimum of USD 24,000 gross per year from digital work; be employed by a foreign company or work as a freelancer for foreign clients in eligible digital sectors (technology, digital content, digital marketing, e-commerce, and related fields); hold a valid passport with at least 14 months remaining validity; and have valid comprehensive health insurance covering Malaysia. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for the DE Rantau pass. Applicants must not be simultaneously holding a Malaysian Employment Pass or other work authorisation pass from the Immigration Department.
DE Rantau pass holders are not permitted to take up employment with Malaysian companies or provide services to Malaysian-registered entities as their primary income source while holding the pass. The DE Rantau pass is a Social Visit Pass issued for the purpose of residing in Malaysia while working remotely for foreign employers or clients. Working for a Malaysian employer while holding a DE Rantau pass would constitute working without the appropriate Employment Pass under Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63. However, DE Rantau pass holders may incidentally interact with Malaysian contacts, attend networking events at DE Rantau hubs, and participate in the MDEC digital ecosystem — as long as their primary income remains from foreign sources. Pass holders wishing to transition to employment with a Malaysian company must apply for an Employment Pass through the Expatriate Services Division.
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass and the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme serve different purposes and audiences. DE Rantau is designed for actively working digital professionals who earn their income remotely — it requires a minimum annual income of USD 24,000 and proof of digital employment or freelance work, but has no fixed deposit or liquid assets requirement. The 12-month pass (renewable) is shorter than the MM2H's 10-year renewable pass. MM2H is designed for long-term non-working residents — retirees, investors, and high net-worth individuals — with much higher financial requirements (offshore income of RM 40,000/month and liquid assets of RM 1,500,000 for the Platinum tier), but providing a 10-year renewable pass and a broader permission to live in Malaysia without income-source restrictions. Digital nomads who plan to eventually retire in Malaysia or significantly increase their passive income may consider transitioning from DE Rantau to MM2H over time.
DE Rantau pass holders who are tax residents in Malaysia — defined as residing in Malaysia for 182 days or more in a calendar year under Section 7 of the Income Tax Act 1967 (ITA 1967) — are in principle subject to Malaysian income tax on income sourced in Malaysia under the ITA 1967. However, income earned from foreign sources (employment or freelance work for foreign employers or clients, paid outside Malaysia) is generally exempt from Malaysian income tax under Section 127 of the Income Tax Act 1967, which exempts foreign-sourced income of Malaysian tax residents from income tax in Malaysia. This exemption has made Malaysia an attractive base for digital nomads compared to jurisdictions that tax worldwide income. The specific tax treatment of DE Rantau pass holders depends on their individual circumstances, the nature of their income, and applicable double taxation agreements between Malaysia and their home country. Consulting a Malaysian tax advisor registered with the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia (CTIM) is advisable.
DE Rantau pass holders can open a bank account in Malaysia at most commercial banks, as the pass is a legal residence document under the Immigration Act 1959/63. Malaysian commercial banks regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia under the Financial Services Act 2013 — including Maybank, CIMB Bank, Public Bank, RHB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, and others — generally accept DE Rantau passes as valid residence documentation for account opening. Required documents typically include: original passport with DE Rantau pass endorsement, proof of Malaysian address (tenancy agreement or utility bill), and the application form. Some banks may additionally require proof of income source or a reference letter. Bank Negara Malaysia's Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA 2001) apply to all account openings regardless of nationality.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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