Nearly 2,000 digital nomad applicants approved

PETALING JAYA: Nearly 2,000 applications for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass, designed for digital nomads, have been approved as of October this year, according to government agencies involved in the initiative.

Data from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Immigration Department indicate that 1,924 applications have been approved since the DE Rantau programme began in 2022, with a total of 3,938 applications received during that time.

MDEC Digital Tourism senior manager Arifah Shafiruddin noted that the programme is particularly popular among applicants from Russia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States.

“Digital nomads contribute to the Malaysian economy by boosting spending across various sectors, including tourism, food, accommodation and transportation. They also help expand the tax base, drive innovation, create new business opportunities, and diversify local industries,” she said in an interview.

Additionally, Arifah mentioned that their presence fosters cultural exchange and collaboration across industries such as tech, digital marketing and more.

Meanwhile, digital nomads in Malaysia highlight the friendly locals, robust Internet infrastructure, and cultural diversity as key reasons for choosing to work remotely here.

A customer support specialist from Pakistan, who goes by Kareem, praised Malaysia as an IT-friendly country with excellent Internet connectivity.

“This makes remote work very convenient, especially with my line of work,” he said.

A digital nomad from Japan who wished to be known as Kosukei said he was drawn to Malaysia for its beautiful scenery, affordable cost of living, and sense of security.

“I’ve been here for about a year now, and work has been smooth. The people are very friendly, and the Internet facilities are up to par as well.

“The cultural diversity is unique; you can experience so many different celebrations and cultures in one place,” he shared.

Kosukei also noted the accessibility of tourism sites, making weekends more exciting.

He suggested that creating more attractive coworking spaces could enhance Malaysia’s appeal as a prime destination for remote work.

According to a study by InsureMyTrip, Kuala Lumpur ranks fifth among the top 10 cities for digital nomads.

Factors analysed included WiFi speed, happiness, cost of living, cafe ratings, number of tourist landmarks and safety index.

The other cities in the top five in numerical order are Brasilia in Brazil, Budapest in Hungary, Montevideo in Uruguay, and Lisbon in Portugal.

Launched as part of the Malaysia Digital Catalytic Programmes, the DE Rantau Nomad Pass aims to position the country as a preferred digital nomad hub, promoting professional mobility and tourism.

The pass allows digital nomads to live and work in Malaysia for up to 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for another year, accompanied by supportive services.