Overview of Visas

Choosing the right visa is one of the most important steps when planning your move to Malaysia. Your visa will decide whether you can work, study, enroll children in school, open a bank account or rent a home. Malaysia offers several visa pathways for digital nomads, retirees, professionals, students and families.

Plan ahead and apply for the correct visa before arriving, living on a tourist visa and leaving every few months can be stressful and costly.

Employment Pass 

The Employment Pass (EP) is a work visa that lets a foreign professional work for a company in Malaysia. It can last for up to five years, depending on the employment contract. Before the pass is issued, the employer must get approval from the Expatriate Committee or another relevant authority to allow the job role to be filled by a foreign worker.

This approval process can take some time. So don’t worry if takes a few months!

Dependant Pass

Important note: People with MM2H or De Rantau visa can also apply for this pass for their respective dependants.

MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) Visa

Student Visa

Studying in Malaysia is another practical way to move to the country.

The country has many reputable universities, including well-known Islamic institutions, and most offer courses in English or Arabic. Tuition fees are generally lower than in Western countries and a student visa gives you legal residence in Malaysia as well as access to banking, housing and healthcare.

Once you are settled, you can also apply for a Dependant Pass for your spouse and children.

You must first apply to and be accepted by a Malaysian university. After you receive your offer letter, the university will process your student visa through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS). The visa lasts for the duration of your studies and is renewable each year.

After entering Malaysia on a student visa, you can usually apply for Dependant Passes for your spouse and children about three months later. During this time, prepare documents such as marriage and birth certificates to prove your family relationship. Dependant Pass holders are not allowed to work in Malaysia, so you must show that you have enough funds to support your family while studying.

More details can be found on the official government site.

Spouse Visa

If you’re married to a Malaysian citizen, you can apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass (spouse visa). After living in Malaysia on this pass for several years, you may qualify for permanent residency.

More information on this visa can be found here. 

Tourist Visa

This is issued to foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Malaysia mainly for a social visit. It is normally valid for a single entry and for a period of three months from the date of issue.

De Rantau Digital Nomad Visa

The DE Rantau Nomad Pass allows foreign remote workers to stay in Malaysia for up to 12 months at a time. Applicants must earn at least USD 24,000 a year, and they can bring dependants with them.

The visa is open to people from any country who work in digital fields such as IT, digital marketing, content creation, software development, cybersecurity or digital currencies.

To apply, you need to show proof of your work and income and provide a clean criminal record or a letter of good conduct.