Digital Nomad Visa Comparison: Malaysia vs. Sri Lanka
A comparison of remote work visas for Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Malaysia and Sri Lanka's Digital Nomad Visa Requirements for Remote Workers
If you're a digital nomad looking for a new destination to live and work abroad, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are two countries that offer attractive visa programs for remote workers. Both Malaysia and Sri Lanka are located in Asia and offer a unique blend of culture, friendly locals, and affordable living costs. Here are the details of their respective digital nomad visa programs:
Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass under DE Rantau Program
| Application Fee | For individual: MYR1,060 (including SST of 6%) For dependents: MYR530 per additional dependent (including SST of 6%) |
|---|---|
| Immigration Pass Fee for each applicant | For 3 months: RM90 For 1 year: RM360 Multiple entry Visa Fee: Varies country by country |
| Income Requirement | For foreign Digital Nomads: above US$24,000 annually For Local Digital Nomads: above RM36,000 annually |
| Income Tax | Yes unless it can be exempted under the Double Taxation Agreement subject to meeting the required conditions. |
| Certificate of Good Conduct | A copy of Certificate of Good Conduct (COGC) is required for submission of foreign digital nomad application. |
| 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. |
| Career Requirement | The applicant is required to have a career in 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 foreign or local company. |
| Passport Requirement | A passport valid for more than 14 months is required. |
| Proof of Income 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. |
| Proof of Employment 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. |
| Age Requirement | The age of the main applicant is required to be above 18 years. Immediate family members of the applicant are also eligible to apply. |
Sri Lanka's Digital Nomad Visa
Sri Lanka's visa program for digital nomads is still in the proposal stage, although it is expected to be approved soon. Here are the proposed details:
| Visa Cost | Proposed: US$600 |
|---|---|
| Income Requirement | Proposed: Tax exemption for earnings. Income requirement details have not been disclosed yet. |
| Security Clearance | Proposed: A special security clearance should be obtained by the individuals from Sri Lankan embassies in their respective countries. |
| Length of Stay | Proposed: 1 Year with an option to renew. |
| Career Requirement | Local employment is not allowed. The applicant must be working/rendering services to a foreign entity. |
| Proof of Income | Bank statements to prove income. Specific details have not been disclosed yet. |
Conclusion
Both Malaysia and Sri Lanka offer appealing visa programs for digital nomads looking to work and live abroad. Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass requires specific career-related skills, and there are income and tax requirements. Sri Lanka's digital nomad visa is still in the proposal stage, but it offers tax exemptions and a reasonable visa cost. Do your research and consider your specific needs and requirements before choosing a destination. Best of luck!