Essential Documents for the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa

Malaysia has joined the ranks of countries offering a digital nomad visa, introducing the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa, or DE Rantau Nomad Pass, in October 2022. This temporary permit allows digital nomads and certain professionals to live and work remotely in Malaysia for up to two years.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must meet certain criteria. They must provide proof of an annual income of at least 24,000 USD, and typically also require documentation such as income verification, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

Applicants must also submit a passport that is valid for at least 14 months and has at least six empty pages. All pages of the passport must be submitted, and if the documents are not originally in English, they must be translated using a certified translator.

To further prove that you are a highly skilled worker, you must submit proof of your qualifications, such as a high school diploma, bachelor's degree, master's degree, PhD, referral letters, certifications, and information about the year you graduated, the field of study, and where you attended the program.

For non-tech remote workers in chief officer or managerial positions, the minimum income requirement is $60,000 USD per year. Tech remote workers in the digital domain, such as IT, software, digital marketing, and content creation, have a minimum income requirement of $24,000 USD per year.

Document Gathering and Preparation

The most time-consuming part of applying for the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa is the document gathering and preparation process. In addition to the documents mentioned above, applicants must also submit a passport-sized photo that meets the Malaysia digital nomad visa photo requirements.

If applying for the Malaysia digital nomad visa without any sponsorship in the country, then you will have to provide a personal bond document. For applicants who wish to bring their spouse, children, and dependent parents with them, official documentation to prove their relationship, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and adoption certificates, must be submitted.

Application Process

The application process is done entirely online. Applicants must submit their resume and/or CV detailing their work experience and education, as well as a detailed description of their work, including a motivational letter, previous projects or portfolios, and a presentation with screenshots or recordings of them doing their work.

Applicants must also submit proof that they work remotely with a company or clients, such as remote work contracts, invoices, or purchases from clients. To ensure the nature of your work is either in the digital domain or meets the non-tech category requirements, you will have to submit a detailed description of your work.

Additional Documents

The authorities may ask for additional documents or proof of remote work status based on the applicant's situation. Since Malaysia is not part of the Hague Convention, you do not have to legalize your documents with an apostille. However, you may be requested to notarize certain documents, depending on your situation.

It is necessary to have an international health insurance policy or travel insurance for the duration of your stay in Malaysia. If you have earned professional awards or accolades, it would be helpful for your application if you included a copy of them.

In conclusion, the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa offers a unique opportunity for digital nomads and remote workers to live and work in Malaysia for up to two years. With careful preparation and a thorough understanding of the requirements, applicants can successfully navigate the application process and start their new adventure in Malaysia.