Malaysia DE Rantau Nomad Pass for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass? Yes. MDEC's official FAQ lists Chief Executive Officer (Founder/Managing Director/President) among eligible non-tech professions, and also accepts self-employed freelancers and independent contractors. Remote employees must work for an employer not registered in Malaysia. Local work is allowed. Income needed: US$24,000 a year for tech talent; US$60,000 a year for non-tech roles, which include founders and CEOs. Shown with contracts, invoices or payslips and 3 months of bank statements.
Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | DE Rantau Nomad Pass is a Professional Visit Pass for qualified foreign digital nomads to travel and work in Malaysia, run by MDEC with the Immigration Department. | mdec.my |
| Income | Tech talent: at least US$24,000 a year. Non-tech roles: at least US$60,000 a year. | mdec.my |
| Own company | Founders and managing directors are listed as an eligible non-tech profession (US$60,000 a year income threshold). | mdec.my |
| Local work | Freelancers and independent contractors work with foreign clients and may also serve Malaysian clients; contracts with Malaysian clients are accepted as evidence. | mdec.my |
| Local work (employees) | Remote employees must be employed by a company that is not registered in Malaysia. | mdec.my |
| Stay | Valid 3 to 12 months, renewable for 12 more months, up to 24 months in total. | mdec.my |
| Fee | RM1,080 per applicant and RM540 per dependant, non-refundable, including 8% SST. Immigration pass fee is RM360 a year. | mdec.my |
| How to apply | Online through MDEC; you do not need to be in Malaysia to apply. After approval you enter Malaysia and complete endorsement for the e-Pass. | mdec.my |
| Processing time | Six to eight weeks after a complete submission; the e-Pass follows within one week of endorsement. | mdec.my |
| Health insurance | A valid health insurance policy covering Malaysia for the whole pass period is required at endorsement, plus an income tax registration slip from the Inland Revenue Board. | mdec.my |
| Tax | MDEC's FAQ says income of foreign freelancers becomes taxable under the Income Tax Act as residents after 182 days, with 10% withholding tax before that; remote workers of foreign employers pay no tax if they stay 60 days or less. | mdec.my |
| Family | Spouse or common-law partner, children under 18, disabled children and parents may apply as dependants. A spouse cannot work in Malaysia on this pass. | mdec.my |
Questions founders ask about Malaysia
- Can I run my own company on the Malaysia DE Rantau Nomad Pass?
- Yes. MDEC's official FAQ lists Chief Executive Officer (Founder/Managing Director/President) among eligible non-tech professions, and also accepts self-employed freelancers and independent contractors. Remote employees must work for an employer not registered in Malaysia.
- Can I work for clients in Malaysia on it?
- Allowed for freelancers and independent contractors, who may also serve Malaysian clients. Remote employees, however, must work for a foreign employer not registered in Malaysia, and spouses may not work.
- How much income do I need for the Malaysia DE Rantau Nomad Pass?
- US$24,000 a year for tech talent; US$60,000 a year for non-tech roles, which include founders and CEOs. Shown with contracts, invoices or payslips and 3 months of bank statements.
- How much does the Malaysia DE Rantau Nomad Pass cost?
- RM1,080 non-refundable processing fee per applicant and RM540 per dependant (both incl. 8% SST), plus an Immigration pass fee of RM360 a year (RM90 per 3 months) and any visa charge. That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Malaysia DE Rantau Nomad Pass?
- Pass valid 3 to 12 months, renewable for another 12 months, to a maximum of 24 months in total. Multiple entry. No statement that it leads to residence.
- Do I become tax resident in Malaysia?
- MDEC's FAQ says income of foreign freelancers becomes taxable under the Income Tax Act as residents after 182 days, with 10% withholding tax before that; remote workers of foreign employers pay no tax if they stay 60 days or less. A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
Brazil · Colombia · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Italy · Japan · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass (Professional Visit Pass)
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Allowed
- Stay
- Pass valid 3 to 12 months, renewable for another 12 months, to a maximum of 24 months in total. Multiple entry. No statement that it leads to residence.
- Government fee
- RM1,080 non-refundable processing fee per applicant and RM540 per dependant (both incl. 8% SST), plus an Immigration pass fee of RM360 a year (RM90 per 3 months) and any visa charge.
- Official page
- mdec.my
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check mdec.my before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.