How long can I stay in Malaysia without a visa?

Most Western nationalities get 90 days visa-on-arrival. This can be extended or reset by exiting and re-entering.

Malaysia's digital nomad pass for remote workers earning at least $5,000 USD/month from foreign sources. Allows 3–12 month stays.

Is MM2H worth applying for?

MM2H is for wealthy retirees and investors — it requires over $300,000 USD in fixed deposits. Most nomads use DE Rantau or standard entry instead.

Malaysia

Malaysia Long Stay Options 2026 — MM2H, DE Rantau, and What Works

Malaysia visa options for digital nomads and long-stay foreigners in 2026: DE Rantau nomad pass, MM2H residency, and standard entry.

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9 min readPublished 2026-01-22

Malaysia as a long-stay base

Malaysia is one of the most foreigner-friendly countries in Southeast Asia for long stays. English is widely spoken, infrastructure is excellent, and cost of living is significantly lower than Singapore despite being comparable in lifestyle. KL and Penang both have established expat communities.

DE Rantau — Malaysia's digital nomad pass

Malaysia launched the DE Rantau Nomad Pass for remote workers and digital nomads. Requirements include minimum monthly income of $24,000 MYR (approximately $5,000 USD) from foreign sources, valid employment contract or proof of freelance income, and a clean background check.

The pass allows 3–12 month stays with renewability. It covers the holder and dependents. Application is online through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

MM2H — Malaysia My Second Home

MM2H is a long-term residency programme (10 years, renewable) for foreigners who meet financial thresholds. Requirements have tightened significantly since 2021 — applicants now need monthly offshore income of at least 40,000 MYR, liquid assets of 1.5 million MYR, and a fixed deposit of 1 million MYR in a Malaysian bank.

MM2H is not a digital nomad solution — it targets retirees and wealthy individuals. Processing takes 6–12 months.

Standard entry — 90 days for most Western nationalities

Citizens of most Western countries get 90 days visa-on-arrival in Malay

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