Malaysia
Southeast Asia's most under-rated long-stay country: excellent English, world-class food, fast internet, modern infrastructure and a generous 90-day entry for many passports, at prices well below Singapore next door.
Entry and visas
Citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and Japan, receive a 90-day social visit pass on arrival without a visa. All arrivals must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online beforehand. The DE Rantau Nomad Pass offers a renewable 12-month stay for qualifying remote workers.
| Passport | Category | Max days | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa-free (social visit pass) 90 days on arrival; complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| GB | Visa-free (social visit pass) 90 days on arrival; complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| DE | Visa-free (social visit pass) 90 days on arrival; complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| CA | Visa-free (social visit pass) 90 days on arrival; complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| AU | Visa-free (social visit pass) 90 days on arrival; complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
Remote work and long stays
DE Rantau Nomad Pass (up to 365 days): Twelve-month renewable pass for digital freelancers, remote workers and independent contractors in approved fields; annual income threshold (around USD 24,000, higher for non-tech roles) and proof of contracts. official source ↗ Official eligibility verification required
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Working holiday and residence programmes
- Malaysia DE Rantau Nomad Pass · ages 18+ · 12 months · verify
Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →
Safety
Low crime by regional standards; bag snatching from motorbikes in Kuala Lumpur is the usual complaint. The east coast of Sabah carries long-standing government warnings about kidnapping risk near the Philippine border.
Official advisory: Malaysia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗
Health
Dengue is the main concern, especially in urban Selangor and Johor. Healthcare is high quality and inexpensive; Kuala Lumpur and Penang are medical tourism hubs.
Money
Cards and Touch 'n Go e-wallet are accepted almost everywhere in cities. ATMs are plentiful and fees are modest. Mamak stalls and hawker centres are cash or QR.
Tipping: Not customary; a 10 percent service charge appears on many bills · Tap water: Generally treated but most residents filter or boil it
Getting around
ETS trains link Kuala Lumpur with Ipoh and Penang; buses cover everything else cheaply. AirAsia's home base means domestic and regional flights are among the cheapest in the world. Grab is ubiquitous.
SIMs and connectivity
Maxis (Hotlink), CelcomDigi and U Mobile all sell cheap tourist SIMs and eSIMs; speeds are among the best in the region.
