The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has announced a few significant expansions to its DE Rantau programme, aiming to position Malaysia as a top destination for global digital nomads.
The initiative, which originally catered to IT and digital professionals, now extends its DE Rantau Nomad Pass to a broader range of occupations. Founders, CEOs, COOs, tax accountants, legal counsels, technical writers, business development managers, public relations professionals, and other related roles, whether they are digital freelancers or remote workers, are now eligible to apply.
The newly expanded eligibility criteria require non-IT/digital professionals to meet a minimum income threshold of USD 60,000 annually or USD 5,000 monthly.
As of 31 May 2024, the DE Rantau programme has garnered 3,096 applications, with 1,443 approvals, including 189 renewals. These applications span 78 countries, with the top five being Russia, Pakistan, Britain, Japan, and Australia. The average annual income among approved digital nomads is USD 69,000, with predominant expertise in software development, digital marketing, and AI/machine learning.
A survey conducted at the end of 2023 highlighted that 40% of the approved digital nomads are residing in Malaysia with their families, contributing significantly to local spending on tourism, education, food, accommodation, and transportation. As such, in addition to the expanded professional scope, the programme now allows parents of the main applicant to be included as dependents.
The DE Rantau programme has expanded its network to include a variety of local and international partners, providing a comprehensive support system for digital nomads. This includes co-working spaces, insurance platforms, healthcare services, accommodation options, travel and leisure providers, cashless solution providers, and transportation services. Notable partners in the programme include:
- Co-working Spaces: WORQ, Common Ground, Komune Co-working, Universal Space Offices
- Healthcare and Insurance: SafetyWing, KPJ Healthcare, MHTC
- Accommodation and Travel: OYO, Jetpack Langkawi, Tripcarte, EasyBook
- Payment Solutions: AxaiPay, EdxaPay, SenangPay
- Media and Transportation: Good Foodie Media, HERTZ
Looking forward, DE Rantau is set to host several community initiatives aimed at engaging and supporting the digital nomad community in Malaysia.
Among the upcoming events is the Scale Summit @ Langkawi, scheduled for later this month, which will be a digital nomad community engagement event organized by Jetpack Langkawi. Additionally, DE Rantau @ Terengganu will take place in Q3 2024, and the DE Rantau Fest 2024 is planned for Q4 2024, promising a lineup of activities and engagement opportunities.
For more details and to apply for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, interested individuals can visit the MDEC website at www.mdec.my/derantau.
