08/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 8, 2025

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Foreign professionals call for smoother visa renewals o Digital nomads say delays, unclear rules disrupt housing plans, travel and work commitments Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

’M’sia ideal base for remote work’ PETALING JAYA: Drawn by fast internet, affordable living and cosmopolitan comforts, digital nomads are finding Malaysia an attractive base, although some say longer stays would make the experience better. American IT specialist Ryan Patterson, 37, has lived in Kuala Lumpur for a year and praised the city’s connectivity and amenities. “KL is a fantastic city. Everything is available, including goods, cuisine and healthcare. The quality of life is great.” Patterson spends about RM7,000 a month, covering rent, a co-working space lease, restaurants and groceries. “If I could change one thing about Malaysia’s nomad experience, it would be the ability to stay longer.” Industry observers say the growing presence of remote professionals, both local and foreign, is beginning to reshape Malaysia’s digital economy. For Madagascar-born software developer Jeni Randriamihajasoa, 27, Malaysia provided a relatively smooth transition when she arrived three weeks ago. The founder of an IT services company said KL was more affordable compared with her home country, where even basic services such as water and electricity were unreliable. “I don’t have to think about those issues here. That makes a huge difference because I can fully focus on my job.” She estimated her monthly spending at about RM2,000, mainly on accommodation. “Malaysia is a great place to start a digital nomad lifestyle. You have everything here – reliable internet, easy access to beaches just hours away and cheap flights. “Even compared with Madagascar, it’s cheaper here. I now live in a condo with a pool and gym, and it costs less than what I’d pay back home,.” Pikom chairman Alex Liew said while the numbers remain modest, growth is evident. “There is significant growth, although the numbers are still small according to DE Rantau data – 1,120 as of Nov 2024. This is expected to rise with more opportunities for remote professionals.” He added that similar to gig workers, more Malaysians are expected to take on short-term roles in areas such as IT, customer service and content creation. “A support system for remote professionals should include access to upskilling and reskilling programmes, job opportunities, peer networking and conducive work environments such as co working spaces.” Liew also noted that traditional forms of workplace support and security may not be available for these workers. “Beyond visas, Malaysia should provide peer networking, job opportunities and training for remote professionals, as these will be critical for sustaining the community.” The government was reported to have expanded the DE Rantau nomad pass beyond information and digital roles to include founders, CEOs, COOs, tax accountants, legal counsels, technical writers, business development managers, public relations professionals and other related positions. Both digital freelancers and remote workers are now eligible to apply. The minimum income requirement for non IT/digital talents is set at US$60,000 (RM281,000) per year or US$5,000 (RM23,000) per month. Parents of the main applicant can also be listed as dependents. According to Mdec, as of May 31 last year, DE Rantau had received 3,096 applications, with 1,443 approved, including 189 renewals. The applicants come from 78 countries, with the top five being Russia, Pakistan, Britain, Japan and Australia. The average annual income of approved digital nomads is US$69,000 (RM324,000), with the majority skilled in software development, digital marketing and AI machine learning. A 2023 year-end survey revealed that 40% of approved applicants are in Malaysia with their families, contributing directly to spending on tourism, education, food, accommodation and transportation. – By FAIZ RUZMAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign professionals living and working in Malaysia under the DE Rantau nomad pass have voiced frustration over long delays, unclear renewal procedures and short visa durations – issues that have left some stranded and others counting heavy financial losses. The DE Rantau nomad pass is issued by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (Mdec). It is a digital nomad visa, allowing remote workers, freelancers and independent contractors from other countries to live and work remotely in Malaysia for up to 12 months, with the possibility of renewal. Ukrainian software engineer Nikita Shaposhnik, 30, who works for a Finnish financial technology company, said his initial application was approved in two months, but the renewal process has been far more arduous. “You’re only allowed to apply three months before your visa expires. The renewal button on the portal was disabled at first and when I paid, the system didn’t register it. I lost a month just because of that,” he said. The application fee for the pass is RM1,000 for the main applicant and RM500 for each dependent. With his renewal still pending, he has had to visit the Cyberjaya office monthly to obtain a special 30-day stamp. “If you leave Malaysia during this period, you can only return on a tourist visa, which pauses your renewal. Some people have had to do this two or three times because of the backlog.” Although renewals were promised within six to eight weeks, Shaposhnik said many applicants

nomad visas in two to three weeks.” Arabic machine learning engineer Mohammed Yasin, 25, said he recently moved to Cyberjaya after six years as a student, spending about RM2,500 a month. But he argued that taxation further erodes Malaysia’s appeal. “Tax relief is needed. Otherwise the taxes undo the benefits of lower living costs. “I might as well just get the Dubai digital nomad visa.” Chairman of the National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom) Alex Liew said Malaysia must balance remote workers’ needs with their transient nature, warning the economy could lose out if they leave. “Digital nomads by nature are short-term workers and will move on to other jobs or locations as required. “Yes, some countries offer longer stays, but Malaysia has its own advantages such as strong infrastructure and widespread use of English. “While we have not heard of significant delays in processing DE Rantau, we need to ensure remote professionals’ expectations are met,” he told theSun. The nomad pass, launched on Oct 1, 2022, was projected by then-Mdec CEO Mahadhir Aziz to inject RM4.8 billion into Malaysia’s economy by 2025. theSun sought updates from Mdec on the number of passes issued, renewal backlogs and processing times, but as of press time has yet to receive any feedback.

are now waiting for up to five months. “I can’t even commit to extending my rental contract without knowing whether the visa will be approved. “Other countries are more generous. Taiwan now gives five years straightaway. Here, even if the renewal goes through, you only get another year and then you have to leave,” he said. For Sandra Iskandar, a digital nomad pass holder in Penang, delays came at steep financial and emotional cost. “Renewals were painfully slow and many people were left stranded outside Malaysia waiting for their passes. In our case, the delays cost us around RM20,000 in extra flights, more than a month in hotels and animal boarding fees.” She added that after re-entering from Thailand, the renewal was inexplicably changed to a new application, leaving her and her family on a tourist visa. “After more than two months, we finally received an email from Mdec stating: ‘You need to leave immediately. If immigration detects you in Malaysia, they may not issue the pass.’ “We had just two days to pack up and leave after arranging care for our pets.” The ordeal also cost her husband a US$4,000 (RM16,895) contract and forced them to ask their daughter’s school to accept tuition fees in instalments. “I really think people should be told upfront to expect a six-month wait. Six to eight weeks is very misleading. Thailand processes its digital

The National Service is being retrialled this year before a full rollout in 2026, targeting 8,000 particpants, with new camps to open in Sabah and Sarawak. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN FILEPIC

529 trainees register for National Service 3.0 KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 529 youths reported for the National Service Training Programme 3.0 at two Territorial Army camps yesterday, in the final trial series of the year. By noon, 279 male trainees had registered at the 505th Regiment Camp in Pekan, Pahang, while 250 female trainees signed in at the 515th Regiment Camp here. next week. “The turnout reflects the strong commitment of Malaysian youths to embrace the challenge of defending the nation while fostering values of leadership, courage and camaraderie,” he told a press conference after the registration session at Camp 515 yesterday.

reasons, but the process went smoothly. The series also featured the unique participation of male triplets at Camp 505. The National Service 3.0 is being retrialled this year before a full rollout in 2026. The department is targeting 8,000 youths next year, with new camps to open in Sabah and Sarawak. Ya’cob added over 90% of participants and families were satisfied with the training so far, with voluntary participation rising by more than 50%. – Bernama

Ya’cob noted that 60 trainees arrived despite not confirming earlier, showing determination to participate. About 20% of candidates withdrew for health or academic

National Service Training Department director-general Mejar-Jen Datuk Ya’cob Samiran said the series targets 700 participants, with registration open until