View the full digital nomad guide for Malaysia
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Updates Employment Pass Salary and Tenure Rules
Starting June 2026, Malaysia will raise the Category I salary threshold to RM20,000 and limit employment durations to 5-10 years. These changes aim to reduce the foreign workforce to 5% by 2035, potentially impacting long-term residency prospects for skilled professionals.
Malaysia Streamlines Visas with MIDA Expatriate System
The new MIDA Expatriate System (MES) is a one-stop digital platform designed to streamline visa applications for the manufacturing and services sectors. This update aims to reduce administrative complexity and increase transparency for foreign professionals moving to Malaysia.
Lufthansa Returns to Malaysia With Allegris Cabin
Introduces a new long-haul route between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt with advanced cabin features, improving flight options for nomads moving between Europe and Southeast Asia.
Malaysia Enhances Air Connectivity with China
Expanded air links between Malaysia and China improve regional mobility and reduce travel costs for nomads using Southeast Asia as a home base.
Malaysia Updates Employment Pass Rules for Expats
Effective June 2026, Malaysia will increase minimum salary requirements for Employment Pass holders, with Category I rising to RM20,000. The policy also introduces a 10-year maximum tenure for most roles and requires employers to implement local talent replacement plans.
Malaysia Updates Stay Limits for Chinese Nationals
Starting mid-February 2026, Chinese nationals visiting Malaysia under the visa exemption program will be limited to a cumulative 90-day stay within any 180-day period. This shift from 'per entry' limits to a rolling window affects long-term travelers and regional nomads who rely on visa runs to maintain residency.
Inside Malaysia’s Tiered Residency Program
The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program has attracted over 14,000 applications since its policy revision in June 2024, contributing RM3.87 billion to the economy. This surge indicates strong interest in the updated residency tiers and suggests a stable environment for long-term expat investment.