Digital nomads can add Malaysia to the growing list of countries rolling out the red carpet for remote workers.
The Southeast Asian country just announced an enticing digital nomad visa program that could make it a top destination for location-independent professionals worldwide.
The new DE Rantau Nomad Pass, launching Oct. 1, 2022, allows foreign remote workers to stay in Malaysia for up to one year and is renewable for an additional 12 months.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
- Earn at least $24,000 per year
- Be a freelancer, independent contractor or a full-time remote worker
- Show proof of employment, such as freelance client contracts or an employment contract with a foreign company
- Pay a visa fee of $220
Nomads can bring their partners and children with them for an additional $110 per dependent.
The visa program was created by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, the government agency tasked with growing the country’s digital stability and wealth.
The scheme specifically targets IT professionals, such as software developers, cybersecurity experts, digital content creators and digital marketers. However, professionals from other industries are welcome to apply.
Like other countries that have launched digital nomad visa programs, Malaysia believes remote workers will play a key role in reviving its tourism industry. To that end, it has promised to build thriving digital nomad communities and expand the nation’s network of remote work hubs with strong internet services.
Those commitments — combined with the visa program’s low income requirements and the country’s low cost of living — could help Malaysia become a major player in the increasingly competitive digital nomad market.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, ranked 18th on Instant Offices’ Best Places to be a Digital Nomad 2022 survey. The city ranked third on the flexible workspace firm’s Top Cities for Digital Nomads in Asia.