DE Rantau
Malaysia's dedicated digital nomad visa, separate from and cheaper than the MM2H second-home programme.
Last refreshed: 29 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What is Malaysia's DE Rantau and how does it differ from MM2H?
Timeline for DE Rantau
Mentioned in: Thailand halves its visa-free entry window
Nomads & Communities- What is Malaysia's DE Rantau visa and how do I apply?
- DE Rantau is Malaysia's digital nomad residence pass for remote workers earning at least 24,000 USD a year from a foreign employer. It lasts up to 12 months, is renewable, and is administered by MDEC. It does not require a large fixed deposit.Source: event
- What is the difference between DE Rantau and MM2H in Malaysia?
- DE Rantau is Malaysia's digital nomad pass: $24,000/year income, no fixed deposit, annual renewable, aimed at active remote workers. MM2H is a separate second-home programme for wealth holders requiring RM 40,000/month in offshore income plus a large fixed deposit. The two run under different agencies and should not be conflated when comparing Malaysia's nomad visa cost to other countries.Source: nomads-and-communities/5
- What is Malaysia's DE Rantau visa and who is it for?
- DE Rantau is Malaysia's dedicated digital nomad residence pass, launched in 2022 under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). It targets remote workers and digital professionals, requiring $24,000 a year from a foreign employer or self-employment. It is valid for up to 12 months and renewable.Source: nomads-and-communities/5
- How much do I need to earn for Malaysia's DE Rantau nomad visa?
- The income floor is $24,000 a year (approximately $2,000 a month) from a foreign employer or through self-employment. No large fixed deposit is required, unlike the MM2H second-home programme. Dependants can be included on the pass holder's application.Source: nomads-and-communities/5
- Can I work for a Malaysian company on the DE Rantau visa?
- No. DE Rantau is designed for people employed by or self-employed through a foreign (non-Malaysian) company. Income from a Malaysian employer does not satisfy the programme's conditions. Applicants must show they are working remotely for a foreign entity.Source: nomads-and-communities/5
- Which cities in Malaysia are popular with DE Rantau holders?
- Malaysia positioned DE Rantau to attract the digital economy workforce to cities including Kuala Lumpur and Penang. MDEC administers the programme, and the government has designated specific DE Rantau hubs in both cities to serve as focus areas for nomad community building.Source: nomads-and-communities/5
Background
DE Rantau is Malaysia's purpose-built digital nomad residence pass, launched in 2022 under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). It is aimed at remote workers and digital professionals who want to live and work in Malaysia for up to twelve months (renewable), and its income and application requirements are significantly lower than the MM2H second-home programme it is frequently confused with. The name comes from the Malay word "rantau", roughly translating to "journey" or "venture abroad".
The scheme requires applicants to demonstrate employment by a foreign company or self-employment earning at least 24,000 US dollars a year, submit proof of health insurance, and pay an application fee. Unlike MM2H, DE Rantau does not require a large fixed deposit. Dependants (spouse and children) may be included on a pass holder's application. Malaysia positioned DE Rantau as part of its broader push to attract the digital economy workforce to cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
In the May 2026 briefing, DE Rantau appears alongside MM2H to correct a common conflation: coverage of Malaysia's long-stay requirements often cites MM2H's 40,000-ringgit income floor as the benchmark for nomad access, when DE Rantau's threshold is substantially lower. The distinction matters because the policy landscape comparison (Thailand, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Colombia) only makes sense if each programme is correctly categorised as a nomad visa versus a wealth-residency scheme.
