Digital Nomad Visa Comparison: Indonesia vs. Malaysia
A comparison of remote work visas for Indonesia and Malaysia.
Exploring Digital Nomad Visa Requirements in Indonesia and Malaysia
When it comes to finding the perfect destination for digital nomadism, Southeast Asia is fast becoming a hub of activity. With an abundance of natural beauty, fascinating cultures, and emerging tech scenes, two countries worth exploring are Indonesia and Malaysia. Here are the details of each country's digital nomad visa programs:
Indonesia's Second Home Visa
| Cost of Visa | Rp 3 million |
|---|---|
| Length of Stay | 5 or 10 years (awaiting confirmation from the authorities) |
| Income Requirement | The applicant is required to have at least Rp 2 billion or equivalent in a bank account owned by a Guarantor or a Foreigner |
Other Conditions or Requirements
- The applicant is not allowed to enter the local labour market. The applicant will be allowed to carry out investment and other activities
- National passport with validity of at least 36 months
- Proof of funds of at least Rp. 2 Billion or equivalent in a bank account owned by a Guarantor or a Foreigner
- Recent colour photograph with white background and dimensions of 4cm x 6cm
Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass under DE Rantau Program
| Cost of Visa | Application Fee:
|
|---|---|
| Length of Stay | 3 to 12 months; with an option to extend to additional 12 months i.e. total of 24 months of stay. The holder of this Pass will also enjoy multiple entry rights for the validity duration of Pass. Malaysian does not require a work pass. |
| Income Requirement | Yes: • For foreign Digital Nomads: above US$24,000 annually • For Local Digital Nomads: above RM36,000 annually |
Other Conditions or Requirements
- The applicant is required to have a career in a domain related to Information Technology, Digital Content Creation and Development, or Digital Marketing
- If a foreign digital nomad is applying for the DE Rantau Nomad Pass as a remote worker, then his employment should be with a Foreign/Non-Malaysian Company. Local digital nomad as remote worker, the employment may either be local or foreign company.
- Digital Freelancer and Independent Contractor can work either with a foreign or local company
- A passport valid for more than 14 months is required
- For Digital Freelancer, contracts or invoices and orders and clients mentioning the duration and value of the contract will be required. In case there is no specific contract, the applicant would be required to prove that income generated is more than US$24,000 annually for foreigner or MYR36,000 annually for Malaysian.
- For remote worker, proof of an active employment with a company outside Malaysia is required stating the monthly or annual salary, which should be more than US$24,000 annually for foreigner or MYR36,000 annually for Malaysian.
- The age of the main applicant is required to be above 18 years. Immediate family members of the applicant are also eligible to apply
- A copy of Certificate of Good Conduct (COGC) is required for submission of foreign digital nomad application.
Conclusion
Both Indonesia and Malaysia have unique digital nomad visa programs, each with its own set of requirements and limitations. Indonesia's Second Home Visa caters more towards high-net-worth individuals looking to invest in the country, while Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass targets digital nomads with a specific set of in-demand skills. If you're a digital nomad looking for an affordable and exciting base in Southeast Asia, these two countries are definitely worth considering.