Malaysia visa for foreign investors: income calculator

The short answer

Malaysia has no single “investor visa”. A foreigner who wants to stay longer than a tourist visit picks a pass according to what they will do in the country:

• To work for a Malaysian company, the employer applies for an Employment Pass (EP). Since 1 June 2026 the minimum basic salaries are RM20,000 (Category I), RM10,000 (Category II) and RM5,000 a month (Category III, RM7,000 in manufacturing). All three categories can now bring a spouse and children.
• To work remotely for foreign clients, there is the DE Rantau Nomad Pass (over USD 36,000 a year for tech roles, over USD 60,000 for other roles, up to 48 months). New applications are closed from 1 to 30 November 2026 and reopen on 1 December under a revised framework.
• To prepare an investment, the Investor Pass gives up to 12 months of stay without the right to take paid work. To found a tech start-up, MDEC runs the Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP).
• To live in Malaysia on your own means, the routes are MM2H (from a USD 150,000 deposit and a home purchase) and, on paper, the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP). We found no official update on PVIP since 2022.

This page sets out the published rules of each pass. It does not tell you which one to choose or whether you qualify; the issuing agency decides each case.

Employment Pass: the June 2026 reform

The Employment Pass is issued by the Immigration Department. The employer applies through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD), and MYXpats processes the file. The employee cannot apply alone. The pass covers one employer and, according to the ESD, is valid in Peninsular Malaysia only (Sabah and Sarawak run their own immigration control).

The revised policy applies to every new and renewal application submitted on or after 1 June 2026. The salary test uses basic monthly salary taxable in Malaysia only: allowances, bonuses and pay received outside Malaysia do not count.

	Before 1 June 2026	From 1 June 2026
Category I, minimum basic salary	RM10,000	RM20,000
Maximum length	Up to 5 years per application	Up to 10 years
Category II, basic salary	RM5,000-9,999	RM10,000-19,999
Maximum length	Up to 2 years per application	Up to 10 years, with a succession plan from 1 January 2027
Category III, basic salary	RM3,000-4,999	RM5,000-9,999 (RM7,000-9,999 in manufacturing and related services)
Maximum length	12 months per application	Up to 5 years, with a succession plan from 1 January 2027
Category III family	Not allowed	Allowed

Sources: ESD/MYXpats, Revised Expatriate Salary Booklet (effective 1 June 2026) and Revised Expatriate Salary Policy FAQ (updated 12 February 2026), read on 29 October 2026.

Other points from the same FAQ:

• One application can still cover 1 to 60 months; the 5- and 10-year figures are the maximum total time with the same employer, position and category.
• Passes issued before 1 June 2026 stay valid until they expire. A renewal filed after that date must meet the new salary.
• Category III holders whose pass was issued before 1 June 2026 still cannot bring dependants.
• The MOHA exemption from the Category III minimum salary and the “cooling-off period” no longer apply.
• The succession plan is a written plan to train Malaysian staff to take over the role during the expatriate’s stay.

Before the first EP, the company itself must register with the ESD. A 100% foreign-owned company needs RM500,000 of paid-up capital, or RM1 million if it holds a wholesale and retail trade (WRT) licence. Our company setup guide covers those steps.

Fees. Since 1 September 2024 the MYXpats processing fee for an EP is RM2,000, plus 8% tax, on top of Immigration pass fees, according to a Fragomen alert on Mondaq (August 2024). Timing. The process chart in the ESD’s revised salary policy booklet (read 29 October 2026) gives 5 to 10 working days per step on the normal track (company registration, regulator support letter where needed, expatriate application), and 2 to 3 working days on the fast track.

Dependant Pass and family LTSVP

An EP holder can bring family on two passes, both lasting as long as the principal’s EP:

• Dependant Pass: spouse and children under 18, adopted children included.
• Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP): parents, parents-in-law, children aged 18 to 25 and a common-law spouse.

Neither pass allows work. A spouse who finds a job needs their own Employment Pass. Sources: ESD, Dependant Pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass (read 29 October 2026). The MYXpats fee is RM500 for each, plus tax, according to the same Fragomen alert on Mondaq (August 2024).

Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T)

The RP-T is a longer pass for expatriates who already work in Malaysia, run by TalentCorp. The applicant needs at least 3 consecutive years of work in Malaysia, a basic salary of RM15,000 a month (allowances and bonuses excluded), at least 5 years of total work experience, Malaysian income tax paid for the most recent 2 years and a recognised degree or diploma. The pass is renewable and lasts 10 years; the holder can change employers without converting it, and the spouse may work without an Employment Pass. Source: TalentCorp, Residence Pass-Talent (read 29 October 2026). TalentCorp does not list its fees on that page; the immigration consultancy MISHU gives RM500 to apply and RM5,000 on approval (MISHU, Residence Pass-Talent guide, read 29 October 2026).

Professional Visit Pass

The Professional Visit Pass (PVP) is for a professional who comes on behalf of an overseas company to provide services or train with a Malaysian company. It lasts up to 12 months per issuance, covers only the company named on the pass and does not allow a Dependant Pass. A local sponsor applies, and the applicant must be outside Malaysia. Sources: ESD, Professional Visit Pass and Immigration Department, Pas Lawatan Ikhtisas (read 29 October 2026). The MYXpats fee is RM1,200 plus tax, according to the Fragomen alert on Mondaq (August 2024); the Immigration pass fee is RM90 per three months (RM360 a year), as listed by MDEC for the same pass type.

DE Rantau Nomad Pass

DE Rantau is a type of Professional Visit Pass run by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for people who work remotely for foreign employers or clients.

Condition	Rule (MDEC FAQ version 11.0)
Income	Over USD 36,000 a year for tech roles; over USD 60,000 for listed non-tech roles (CEO, finance, sales, legal, HR and others)
Work proof	Employment contract with a foreign company, or up to 3 contracts with foreign clients, started at least 3 months before applying
Length	3 to 12 months, then up to three 12-month renewals: 48 months in total
Family	Spouse or common-law partner, children under 18, a child with special needs, parents. The spouse may not work.
Fees	Processing RM1,080 (RM540 per dependant), non-refundable; Immigration pass fee RM360 a year; refundable personal bond of RM200 to RM2,000 depending on nationality (RM2,000 for US and Canadian citizens, RM1,500 for Europe, Australia and China)
Timing	6 to 8 weeks, then the e-Pass within a week of endorsement
Where	Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan only
Other	Open to all nationalities except Israel; age 18+; a tourist pass cannot be converted; health insurance valid in Malaysia and an income tax registration are required at endorsement

Sources: MDEC, DE Rantau Pass FAQ version 11.0 (dated 1 November 2026, published 29 October 2026) and MDEC, Digital Nomad Pass (read 29 October 2026).

Change under way. MDEC announced an “Enhanced DE Rantau Nomad Pass Framework”, following Budget 2027, that takes effect on 1 December 2026. New applications are closed from 1 to 30 November 2026; first renewals are still processed. MDEC’s programme page links a separate FAQ on the enhanced framework; the rules above are those of FAQ version 11.0.

Investor Pass and MTEP: for people setting up a business

Investor Pass

Since 1 April 2025, the Immigration Department issues an Investor Pass, a Long-Term Social Visit Pass for business visitors who have committed to investing through a government or investment agency.

• Who: founders, CEOs, directors, shareholders or C-suite decision-makers aged 18 or over, with a company profile in their home country. Categories: “New Investor” and “Investor in Pipeline”. People who already own a Malaysian company or sit on its board are excluded; the ESD points them to the EP or PVP.
• Length: 6 months, extendable by 6 months (12 months maximum), multiple entry.
• Limits: no dependants and no paid employment. Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan only.
• Fees and timing: an Xpats Gateway application fee of RM1,296 (RM1,200 plus 8% tax), then the Immigration RM500 processing fee and RM90 pass fee for 6 months; 5 working days for a complete file. Apply online through Xpats Gateway from outside Malaysia, with a business e-mail address.

Sources: Immigration Department, Pas Pelabur (effective 1 April 2025) and ESD, Investor Pass FAQ (read 29 October 2026).

Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP)

MTEP is run by MDEC; the Immigration Department issues the pass.

	New Entrepreneur	Established Entrepreneur
Pass	Professional Visit Pass (PVP-MTE)	Residence Pass (RP-MTE)
Profile	First-time tech founder, product at least at beta stage, plan to incorporate within a year	Founder with more than 2 years of track record in a targeted tech sector
Length	1 year, renewable once for 1 year	Up to 5 years, renewable once for 5 years
Proof of funds	3-month personal bank statement showing at least RM50,000 (any country)	Business track record
Family	Not allowed	Spouse and children under 18; parents, in-laws, children 18-25 on a social visit pass. The spouse is not automatically allowed to work.
Fees (incl. 8% tax)	RM540 application + RM2,160 processing + RM360 pass	RM540 application + RM4,860 processing (RM2,160 per child under 18) + RM500 pass
Timing	About 4 weeks, then up to 2 weeks for issuance	Same

Sources: MDEC, MTEP and MTEP FAQ 2026 (read 29 October 2026). MTEP also has 5-year “Tech Investor” and “Senior Management” tracks for venture capital firms registered with the Securities Commission; we do not cover them here.

Living on your own means: MM2H and PVIP

MM2H

The Ministry of Tourism’s Malaysia My Second Home programme has four tiers. Silver requires a USD 150,000 deposit in a Malaysian bank and a home bought for RM600,000 or more, for a 5-year pass; Gold (USD 500,000, 15 years) and Platinum (USD 1 million, 20 years) follow, plus a Forest City tier in Johor. Only Platinum holders may work or run a business. Processing costs RM5,000 for the principal and RM2,500 per dependant. Source: MOTAC, MM2H guidelines (updated 10 February 2026).

Our full MM2H guide covers the 11-step process, documents and renewal fees. The Sarawak and Sabah state programmes are summarised in Retire in Malaysia.

Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)

The Home Ministry announced the PVIP, also called the “Premium Visa”, in September 2022: offshore income of RM40,000 a month (RM480,000 a year), RM1 million held in a Malaysian bank account, a participation fee of RM200,000 (RM100,000 per dependant) and RM2,000 a year per pass, for up to 20 years, with work, business and study permitted. Sources: Malay Mail (1 September 2022) and EdgeProp/Bernama (30 November 2022).

Status in 2026. In May 2023 the Home Minister told Parliament that only 2 of 28 applications had been approved and that the programme would be reviewed (FMT). In March 2024, 47 people had signed up since launch (FMT). The Immigration Department website has no PVIP page and the government has published no update since 2022; the figures above are those announced at launch.

Family, study and long-term visit passes

Long-Term Social Visit Pass for spouses of Malaysians

The foreign husband or wife of a Malaysian citizen can receive an LTSVP of at least 6 months and up to 5 years. Holders may work or run a business with an endorsement in the passport, without switching to an Employment Pass. The application is made with the Malaysian spouse present. Source: Immigration Department, Pas Lawatan Sosial Jangka Panjang (read 29 October 2026). The same page lists LTSVPs for some children of citizens and for parents aged 60 or over supported by family in Malaysia. The page does not show the fee.

Residence Pass for families of citizens and permanent residents

Under regulation 16A of the Immigration Regulations 1963, a Residence Pass can be granted to certain children, widowed spouses and parents of Malaysian citizens, and to spouses and children of permanent residents. Applicants must have held a long-term pass for at least 3 years (citizen’s family) or 5 years (permanent resident’s family), with a citizen sponsor aged 21 or over. It costs RM500 for 5 years and allows work, study and business. Source: Immigration Department, Pas Residen (read 29 October 2026).

Student Pass

Higher-education applications go through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on its STARS system, from outside Malaysia; school pupils apply through the school or a parent. After arrival, students must take a medical check within 7 days.

• Fees: the Immigration Student Pass costs RM60, and RM90 per dependant; visa fees depend on nationality. EMGS charges its own processing fee on top. The institution collects a personal bond, refunded at the end of studies.
• Work: university students may work up to 20 hours a week during semester breaks, in restaurants, petrol stations, mini-markets, hotels or on campus. Language and training-centre students may not.
• Family: only Master’s and PhD students may bring a spouse, children under 18 and parents; dependants may not work. A parent may accompany a school pupil, also without the right to work.

Sources: Immigration Department, Pas Pelajar and EMGS (read 29 October 2026). For school costs, see our international school fees in Kuala Lumpur.

Every pass compared

Pass	Main condition	Length	Work	Family	Fees (main items)
EP Category I	Basic salary ≥ RM20,000/month	Up to 10 years in total	Named employer	Yes	RM2,000 + tax (MYXpats)
EP Category II	RM10,000-19,999/month	Up to 10 years	Named employer	Yes	Same
EP Category III	RM5,000-9,999/month	Up to 5 years	Named employer	Yes, from 1 June 2026	Same
RP-T	≥ 3 years in Malaysia on EP, RM15,000/month	10 years, renewable	Any employer	Yes; spouse may work	RM500 + RM5,000 (MISHU)
Professional Visit Pass	Overseas employer, local sponsor	Up to 12 months	Named company	No	RM1,200 + tax + RM90 per 3 months
DE Rantau	> USD 36,000 or > USD 60,000/year	Up to 48 months	Foreign clients only	Yes; spouse cannot work	RM1,080 + RM360/year + bond
Investor Pass	Investment commitment, C-suite	12 months maximum	No paid work	No	RM1,296 (Xpats Gateway) + RM500 + RM90
MTEP New	RM50,000 shown, beta product	1 + 1 year	Own start-up	No	RM3,060 in total
MTEP Established	2+ years track record	5 + 5 years	Own company	Yes	RM5,900 in total for the principal
MM2H Silver	USD 150,000 deposit, home ≥ RM600,000	5 years	No	Yes	RM5,000 processing + RM1,000 participation
PVIP	RM40,000/month, RM1 million in a Malaysian bank	Up to 20 years	Yes	Yes	RM200,000 participation (2022 figures)
LTSVP, spouse of a Malaysian	Marriage to a citizen	Up to 5 years	Yes, with endorsement	n/a	Not shown by Immigration
Residence Pass (family)	3-5 years on a long-term pass	5 years	Yes	n/a	RM500
Student Pass	Approved institution	Length of course	20 h/week in breaks	Master’s/PhD only	RM60 + EMGS fees

MTEP totals add the application, processing and pass fees listed by MDEC, including 8% tax.

Which pass fits which situation

These are the published conditions set side by side. They are not a recommendation: each agency decides on the file in front of it.

• A company in Malaysia is hiring you. The published route is the Employment Pass, with a category set by your basic salary. After 3 years, the RP-T criteria may apply.
• Your employer or clients are abroad and you only want to work from Malaysia. DE Rantau is the pass designed for this, within its income thresholds. An EP requires a Malaysian employer; MM2H Silver and Gold do not allow work.
• You are preparing an investment or setting up a company. The Investor Pass covers up to 12 months of preparation without paid work. Once the company exists, the EP or PVP is the route the ESD names. Tech founders have MTEP.
• You want to live in Malaysia without working. MM2H is the active programme; PVIP exists on paper but has no recent official information.
• You are married to a Malaysian. The spouse LTSVP lasts up to 5 years and can carry a work endorsement.
• You are coming to study. The Student Pass, with family only at Master’s or PhD level.
• You plan to live in Sabah or Sarawak. The EP, DE Rantau and the Investor Pass, as described here, cover Peninsular Malaysia (and Labuan for the last two). Both states have their own immigration control and their own MM2H-type programmes.

FAQ

Can I work in Malaysia on an MM2H pass?

Only Platinum MM2H holders may work or run a business. Silver, Gold and Forest City holders may not (MOTAC).

Did the June 2026 reform cancel existing Employment Passes?

No. Passes issued before 1 June 2026 stay valid until they expire. Renewals filed after that date must meet the new minimum salary (ESD FAQ, Q16 and Q19).

Can my spouse work on a Dependant Pass?

Not on the Dependant Pass itself: the ESD says the holder must apply for their own Employment Pass. On DE Rantau, the spouse may not work. The spouse of an RP-T holder may work without an Employment Pass (TalentCorp).

Can I apply for DE Rantau in November 2026?

No. MDEC closed new applications from 1 to 30 November 2026. They reopen on 1 December 2026 under a revised framework (MDEC).

Is there a visa for foreign investors?

There is the Investor Pass, a 6+6-month pass for people committed to an investment, with no family and no paid work (Immigration Department). Tech founders can use MTEP. Neither pass is linked to a minimum investment amount in the documents we read.

Is the Premium Visa Programme still open?

The government has not said. There is no official PVIP page and no announcement for 2025 or 2026; the last figures, from March 2024, show 47 sign-ups since 2022 (FMT).

How much do I need to invest in Malaysia to get PR?

This page does not cover permanent residence, and we found no investment amount that leads to it. The Investor Pass and MTEP set no minimum investment in the documents we read. Fixed sums apply to passes, not PR: MM2H Silver needs a USD 150,000 deposit and a home of RM600,000 or more for a 5-year pass (MOTAC). Ask the Immigration Department about PR.

Can a foreigner invest in Malaysia?

Our sources cover immigration passes, not investment law or sector rules. For entry, the Investor Pass lets a business visitor committed to an investment stay 6 months, extendable by 6, without paid work (Immigration Department). A 100% foreign-owned company needs RM500,000 of paid-up capital before its first Employment Pass, or RM1 million with a WRT licence (ESD registration FAQ; see also our company setup guide).

What are the new rules for expats in Malaysia in 2026?

From 1 June 2026, Employment Pass minimum basic salaries are RM20,000, RM10,000 and RM5,000 a month for Categories I to III, and Category III applications from that date can include family (ESD). DE Rantau takes no new applications from 1 to 30 November 2026 and reopens on 1 December under a revised framework (MDEC). From 1 December 2026, passport photos need a white background (ESD).

How can I get a 10 year visa in Malaysia?

Two published routes reach 10 years. Employment Pass Categories I and II allow up to 10 years in total with the same employer, position and category; Category II needs a succession plan from 1 January 2027 (ESD FAQ). The Residence Pass-Talent lasts 10 years but needs 3 consecutive years of work in Malaysia and a RM15,000 basic salary (TalentCorp). The agency decides each case.

How we checked this page

Figures come from the issuing agency’s own page or document (ESD, Immigration Department, MDEC, TalentCorp, MOTAC, EMGS) wherever one exists, read on 29 October 2026. The passport photo rule, announced on 6 November 2026 and in force from 1 December 2026, is taken from the ESD announcement. Where only a consultancy or press report gives a fee, we say so and name it. Where nothing official exists, as for PVIP, we say that too. Smart Invest Malaysia’s editorial team maintains the page, and the history in the page record lists each revision.

What we do not cover

• Permanent residence, citizenship and the Malaysia Entry Permit.
• Foreign workers on the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) and domestic helpers.
• Short visits: tourist visas, eVISA, visa exemptions by country and the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card.
• Sabah and Sarawak immigration rules, and Labuan-specific passes.
• The EMGS Graduate Pass, sports, arts, religious-teacher and volunteer passes.
• MTEP’s Tech Investor and Senior Management tracks.
• Taxes on income earned while holding any pass, and whether you personally qualify. For an individual case, the issuing agency (ESD/MYXpats, MDEC, MOTAC, EMGS or the Immigration Department) is the authority.

Rules checked on 29 October 2026 against the sources linked above. Passes and fees change often; check the issuing agency’s page before applying.