Malaysia is one of the most favorable locations for digital nomads to explore, and this appeal is subject to many factors. The country boasts many positives for travelers, including low cost of living, fast internet access, good food, cultural inclusivity, and so much entertainment. There are hardly any restrictions for travelers looking to have the time of their life. With the nightlife, beaches, parties, and access to online casinos like 7Slots, it’s safe to conclude that the activities are limitless. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring all the country has to offer, this might be the best time to visit. Malaysia recently announced a major update to the DE Rantau program, an initiative designed to attract more people. This update is an opportunity for more digital nomads and professionals to see and live the beauty of Malaysia. Here is a detailed breakdown of what this expanding program means for travelers and how it could benefit them.]
Introducing De Rantau (Online Nomad Visa)
The De Rantau, also popularly known as Malaysia’s Digital Nomad Visa, is a pass that allows foreign location-independent workers in the tech space to visit the country for a 3- to 12-month period. Any location-independent worker can apply for this visa if they fulfill the minimum income requirement of $24,000 annually. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) also stated that local digital nomads could apply for this pass, and people who get the visa are eligible to be accompanied by a dependent, spouse, or children below 18. The application process can last 2 to 4 weeks. As of May 2024, the initiative had gathered over 3,000 applicants and 1,443 approvals.
The traveler pass was launched in 2022 and has made it easier for travelers who are also freelancers to explore the country. As of May 2024, the initiative had gathered over 3,000 applicants and 1,443 approvals. However, the restriction to digital workers limited the opportunity to professionals in spaces such as:
- Information Technolgy;
- Marketing and Content Creation;
- Software Development ;
- Cyber Security;
- Digital Currencies and Similar Career Choices.
This cutback ended in June when the MDEC announced its plans to extend the opportunity to professionals in other fields. Now, they will expand the program to accommodate more workers and attract more travelers to the country. There is a likelihood that the number of applicants double the current figures with the present iterations.
De Rantau for Non-digital Professionals
MDEC has expanded its initiative to cover professionals beyond the digital field, among many other iterations. The extension now covers a broader range of occupations, including founders, CEOs, COOs, technical writers, business development managers, legal counsels, public relations professionals, and other related roles. In addition, these visitors can now bring their parents along as dependents before the previous law, which only allows spouses or children. However, the minimum income threshold for non-IT applicants varies and will be $60,000 annually and $5,000 monthly. This price increase might be a hindrance for people of lower means. However, there is a more holistic perspective to it, as many see it as an advantage rather than a problem. It is an opportunity to get people from a wider work spectrum, and allow more professionals into the country.
More positives accompanying these recent changes are the collaborators and network partners that MDEC has secured for this initiative. Today, more partners are looking to participate in this program, including co-working spaces, insurance platforms, healthcare providers, travel and leisure houses, and many others. These partnerships are in place to increase the experiences of nomads visiting the country. Malaysia is on track to being a top travel destination for digital nomads, and this program is one way it achieves this. In the near future, there are bigger plans for De Rantau to host community initiatives, events, and activities to engage and boost the digital travelers community in the country. The MDEC is also looking into ways of fostering better networking opportunities. The Scale Summit of Langkawi is one of these many planned events. It is a nomad community initiative held in June by JetPack. Other upcoming events are De Rantau Fest 2024 and De Rantau at Terengganu.
Seize the Benefits and Implications of Malaysia’s Expended De Rantau Programme!
There are more positives to the changes the MDEC has made on the digital nomad visa program, and most of the iterations are advantageous to applicants. The major disadvantage here is the increase in minimum monthly earnings for non-digital professionals. However, MDEC data also showed that applicants’ average annual income is $69,000. Assuming that these numbers are true for many other professionals, it should be easier for them to meet this requirement. If you’re interested in applying for this program, visit the official website to learn more about the requirements for digital nomad visa applications. There are a lot of opportunities and sights to see in Malaysia, and this could be a golden opportunity to have it all.
