Moving to Malaysia from the US, Canada or the UK

For remote workers, retirees with substantial savings and people with a Malaysian job. The DE Rantau nomad pass, the MM2H tiers and Sarawak's own version, what each asks for, and why none of them leads to permanent residence.

Malaysia suits two kinds of people. Remote workers in tech and digital jobs can live there for up to four years on a nomad pass. People with substantial savings can stay for 5 to 20 years on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. The same rules apply to US, Canadian and UK citizens, apart from a small difference in the refundable bond.

None of these passes leads to permanent residence. Plan for a long stay on a renewable pass, not a permanent move.

The main ways in

DE Rantau Nomad Pass. This fits remote employees and freelancers who work for clients or employers outside Malaysia. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) runs it. The income bar depends on your job:

• Tech and digital roles, such as software, data, cybersecurity, digital marketing and content creation: at least USD 36,000 a year.
• Listed non-tech roles, such as finance, sales, HR, legal, consulting and customer service managers: at least USD 60,000 a year.

MDEC raised the tech figure from USD 24,000 in its FAQ dated 1 November 2026, so older articles will be wrong. Employees need a contract with a non-Malaysian company that started at least three months before applying, plus three months of payslips and bank statements. Freelancers need client contracts, three months of invoices and proof of payment. You must be over 18, hold health insurance that covers Malaysia, and have a passport valid for at least 14 months.

The pass runs for 3 to 12 months at first, with up to three 12-month renewals. The maximum total stay is 48 months. It covers Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, not Sabah or Sarawak. Your spouse or common-law partner, children under 18 and parents can join you, but your spouse cannot work.

MM2H. This fits retirees and other long-stayers aged 25 or over who can place a large fixed deposit and buy a home. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) runs it in tiers:

The deposit sits with a licensed Malaysian financial institution. You buy the home after approval, and you cannot sell it for 10 years unless you upgrade to a dearer one. If you are under 50, you must spend at least 90 days a year in Malaysia. Only Platinum allows business, investing or a career in Malaysia. Silver and Gold do not. MOTAC also lists a cheaper tier for special economic and financial zones (SEZ/SFZ). See its guidelines for that tier’s rules.

Sarawak MM2H. The state of Sarawak, on Borneo, runs its own version. It fits people aged 30 or over who want to live in Sarawak. You place a fixed deposit of RM 500,000 with a panel bank in Sarawak. You also show pension or offshore income of RM 10,000 a month, or RM 15,000 with dependants. Applicants without that income can instead show monthly savings balances of RM 100,000, or RM 200,000 with dependants. You must spend at least 30 days a year in Sarawak. The pass is approved for 5 years plus 5 more.

People with a Malaysian job offer can use the Employment Pass. From 1 June 2026 its lowest category needs a basic salary of at least RM 5,000 a month, and the higher categories RM 10,000 and RM 20,000. Students can use the student pass. See every route below.

Money, tax and cost of living

Fees. DE Rantau charges a non-refundable processing fee of RM 1,080 for you and RM 540 for each dependant, both including tax. The immigration pass fee is RM 360 a year. MDEC also asks for a refundable personal bond: RM 2,000 for US and Canadian citizens, and RM 1,500 for UK citizens on MDEC’s bond table. MM2H adds a fixed pass fee of RM 500 a year to the participation fee. Sarawak MM2H charges a one-time processing fee of RM 5,000. The visa cost calculator adds up the DE Rantau costs for your family.

Tax. MDEC’s FAQ says remote workers paid from abroad are not taxed in Malaysia if they stay 60 days or less. From 61 days, that income can be taxable, at a rate that depends on your tax residence and any tax treaty. Foreign freelancers face 10% withholding tax for their first 182 days. Before you renew, you must settle any Malaysian tax you owe. Tax advisers report a separate exemption for foreign income that residents bring into Malaysia. We could not confirm it on an official page, so ask the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) or a tax adviser.

US citizens stay subject to US tax on worldwide income wherever they live. Canadians and Britons generally stop being tax resident at home only if they cut their residence ties there.

Cost of living. See the cost of living in Malaysia or try the cost of living calculator.

Your first steps

1. Apply for DE Rantau from anywhere. Applications are online at mdec.my/derantau. MDEC says it takes 6 to 8 weeks after a complete submission.
2. Enter and endorse. After approval, you enter Malaysia and complete the endorsement for your pass. A tourist pass cannot be converted into a DE Rantau pass.
3. Use a registered agent for MM2H. MOTAC accepts MM2H applications only through registered MM2H agents. Sarawak MM2H goes through a Sarawak sponsor or a Sarawak-licensed agent.
4. Finish MM2H within 90 days of conditional approval. MOTAC then asks for the fixed deposit certificate, a medical check-up at an appointed panel clinic, a personal bond form, and health insurance if you are 60 or under. Sarawak asks for a medical report from a hospital in Sarawak.
5. Plan your renewals. DE Rantau renewals take another 6 to 8 weeks. MM2H passes are tied to your passport’s validity.

What catches people out

• No path to permanent residence. DE Rantau, MM2H and Sarawak MM2H do not lead to it. Treat them as long stays.
• The DE Rantau map has gaps. The pass does not cover living in Sabah or Sarawak. You can visit them, but you enter on a tourist pass.
• Remote work means foreign work. DE Rantau holders cannot work for Malaysian employers or clients.
• The home purchase is part of MM2H. The deposit alone is not enough. Budget for a home at or above your tier’s minimum. Up to half the deposit can be withdrawn after approval to help buy it.
• Figures change. The DE Rantau income bar rose on 1 November 2026, and Employment Pass salaries roughly doubled on 1 June 2026.

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Confirm each requirement with MDEC, MOTAC or the Immigration Department of Malaysia before you apply.