DE Rantau Nomad Pass income requirement
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass income requirement is more than US$24,000 a year if your work is tech or digital and more than US$60,000 if it is not, a split that dates from the 2024 expansion.
Per month that is US$2,000 and US$5,000. Both bars are fixed in dollars, so the ringgit does not move them.
Tech against non-tech: which income bar is yours
The lower bar covers IT, software, data, cybersecurity, digital marketing and content work. The higher one covers the roles added in the mid-2024 expansion: founders, CEOs and COOs, tax accountants, legal counsel, business development managers, PR and technical writers.
Proof is about three months of bank statements plus proof of annual income at the bar that applies to you.
- 01Valid passportAt least ~14 months remaining validity recommended (some guidance says 12+) and multiple blank pages (six often cited). Bio page scan uploaded.
- 02Recent passport-style photoDigital photo meeting ICAO / Malaysian standards.
- 03Resume / CVUpdated CV detailing digital/tech experience and remote-work history.
- 04Proof of remote work / employmentEmployees: employment contract plus employer letter confirming remote status, salary and non-Malaysian employer. Freelancers: client service agreements/contracts or regular invoices with foreign clients.
- 05Income proof / bank statements~3 months bank statements plus annual income proof demonstrating USD 24,000+/year (or ~USD 60,000 for non-tech).
- 06Cover / motivation letterShort explanation of remote work, clients and intended stay in Malaysia.
- 07Health insuranceComprehensive international health insurance valid in Malaysia for the full stay; minimum coverage around USD 50,000 is commonly cited.
- 08Letter of Good Conduct / police clearance (background check)Criminal-background/police clearance from home country listed by many procedural guides. If required to be legalised, note Malaysia is NOT an apostille country so it must be embassy-legalised rather than apostilled.
- 09Certified translationsAny non-English/Malay documents must have officially certified translations.
What the pass costs, in ringgit and dollars
MDEC's application fee is about MYR 1,000 to 1,080 for the main applicant, including 8% SST: $246 to $266 at the October 29, 2026 rate. Each dependent is about MYR 500 to 540, or $123 to $133.
Budget as well for the immigration pass fee at endorsement, about MYR 30 a person a month, and a personal bond of about MYR 2,000 that may apply.
How long the pass runs
Guides put the pass at about 12 months, and our record allows up to 24 months on successive passes. The official MDEC text we hold does not state the term, so read it off your approval.
Tax while you hold the pass
Malaysia uses a 182-day residency test and a territorial system, with the foreign-source income exemption reported to run to the end of 2036.
There is no tax carve-out specific to DE Rantau, and our evidence on how pass-holders are treated is grade C. Take advice before you plan around it.
What US$2,000 a month buys in Kuala Lumpur
Our Kuala Lumpur monthly tier is $1,450 and comfort $1,900, audited July 12, 2026. The tech bar of US$2,000 a month clears comfort with $100 to spare.
At the non-tech bar of US$5,000 a month you clear the $3,000 everything-in tier with room. The Kuala Lumpur cost of living page breaks both down line by line.
Sources and last verified date
Our DE Rantau record was last verified August 3, 2026 against MDEC, the government apply page and the eligibility release. MDEC's FAQ is the document to read before you apply.
Rules last verified August 3, 2026 (evidence grade B). Ringgit figures at 4.0641 MYR per US dollar on October 29, 2026. Kuala Lumpur tiers audited July 12, 2026.
This is a plain-English reading of published rules, not legal advice. Offices interpret, consulates differ and rules change. Confirm with MDEC or a Malaysian immigration adviser before you commit money.