Malaysia — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
34,231,700 people · Capital: Kuala Lumpur · South-Eastern Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Malaysia is located in South-Eastern Asia, with a population of 34,231,700. Its currency is the Malaysian ringgit. Our database tracks 17 visa pathways for Malaysia, each linked to a named source.
See also: Malaysia country profile
Popular routes to Malaysia: Bangladesh To Malaysia Work Permit · India To Malaysia Work Permit · Indonesia to Malaysia (Work Visa) · Nepal to Malaysia (Work Visa) · Pakistan To Malaysia Work Permit · Philippines To Malaysia Work Permit
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (17)
Sponsored Employment (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass | €1,074/mo | — | 60 mo | — |
| Professional Visit Pass | — | €276 | 12 mo | — |
| Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment) | — | — | 12 mo | — |
Skilled Independent (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Pass | €106/mo | €106 | 60 mo | — |
Digital Nomad (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE Rantau Nomad Pass | €1,744/mo | €212 | 12 mo | — |
| DE Rantau Sarawak | €1,744/mo | — | 12 mo | — |
Investment / Golden Visa (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investor Pass | — | €401 | 6 mo | 5d |
Passive Income (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) | — | €1,180 | 60 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Pass | €13/mo | €13 | — | — |
Family Reunification (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependant Pass | €1,055/mo | €107 | 60 mo | — |
| Long-Term Social Visit Pass | €422/mo | — | 6 mo | — |
Spouse & Partner (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application For Citizenship Under Article 15 (1) Of The Federal Constitution – Wife Of A Citizen | — | — | — | — |
Permanent Settlement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Permit | — | — | — | — |
Naturalisation & Citizenship (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application For Citizenship Under Article 19 Of The Federal Constitution – Aged 21 Years And Older | — | €2 | — | — |
| Citizenship by Naturalisation | €530/mo | €148 | 24 mo | 45d |
Medical Treatment (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Treatment Visa (MHTC) | — | — | — | — |
Tourism & Short Stay (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate (Social) Visit Pass | — | — | 12 mo | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | Malaysia | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €450 | €1,200 | -62% |
| Rent (3BR) | €950 | €2,000 | -52% |
| Groceries | €180 | €350 | -49% |
| Transport | €35 | €80 | -56% |
| Utilities | €65 | €150 | -57% |
| Dining (meal) | €4 | €15 | -73% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €18,000 |
| Education | €16,000 |
| Engineering | €28,000 |
| Finance | €35,000 |
| Healthcare | €10,000 |
| Hospitality | €12,000 |
| IT | €15,000 |
| Retail | €11,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Engineers (IT)
- Healthcare Professionals (Healthcare)
- Electrical Engineers (Engineering)
- Nurses (Healthcare)
- Semiconductor Technicians (Manufacturing)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Malaya | 70 | 120 | €4,500 |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | 191 | 95 | €4,200 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | 159 | 85 | €3,800 |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia | 256 | 78 | €3,600 |
| Monash University Malaysia | 54 | 110 | €9,800 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 17 of the 17 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 12 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- imi.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- esd.imi.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- esd.imi.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- mm2h.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- imi.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- mdec.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- jpn.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- esd.imi.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- sdec.com.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- constituteproject.org · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- jpn.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
- imi.gov.my · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) · 3 verified requirements
Requirement: “RM 1,000 participating + RM 5,000 processing (principal) ≈ EUR 1,180” — mm2h.gov.my
Minimum income: “MM2H Silver: sem requisito de income mensal; o gate e Fixed Deposit” — mm2h.gov.my
Savings / proof of funds: “Fixed Deposit (FD) of USD150,000 in any Malaysian financial institution [FX USD/EUR 1.146817 @ 2026-06-22 = EUR 130796.81]” — mm2h.gov.my
Investor Pass · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Age 18+; fee RM500+RM90+RM1,296 SST; 6mo+6mo; eff. 1 Apr 2025 IMI PDF” — esd.imi.gov.my
Minimum investment: “The Investor Pass is a multiple-entry visa (MEV) facility introduced for business visitors or foreign investors to facilitate their business activities, particularly for those who have committed to investing in Malaysia through investment agencies or relevant authorities.…” — esd.imi.gov.my, 2026-07-07
Student Pass · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “Proof of financial capability (latest 3-month bank statements, scholarship/embassy sponsorship letters.” — imi.gov.my, 2026-07-07
Professional Visit Pass · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Sponsor required; max 12mo/issuance; fee RM1,296 incl 8% SST; ESD 2025” — esd.imi.gov.my
Employment Pass · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Category III RM3,000 - RM4,999 RM5,000 - RM9,999 Up to 5 years (with succession plan)” — esd.imi.gov.my, 2026-07-09
DE Rantau Nomad Pass · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “More than USD24,000 per year” — mdec.my, 2026-06-26
Dependant Pass · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “DP requires EP principal salary >RM5,000/mo; fee RM500+SST (raised Sep 2024); ESD 2025” — esd.imi.gov.my
Long-Term Social Visit Pass · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Sponsors must have an income of RM 2000 and above.” — imi.gov.my, 2026-07-09
eVISA (Medical) / Multiple Entry Visa — Medical Tourism (MHTC) · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “Relevant fees/charges for eVISA are: *Visa Fee: according to the nationality Processing Fee: RM 105.00” — kln.gov.my
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Malaysia have?
Our database tracks 17 visa pathways for Malaysia across 12 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Digital Nomad, Naturalisation & Citizenship. Each entry links to a named source — 82% direct to an official government portal, the rest to a named embassy or professional reference while we complete direct verification.
What is the minimum income for the DE Rantau Sarawak?
The DE Rantau Sarawak lists a minimum income of EUR 1,744 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-21).
What is the average salary in Malaysia?
The average gross salary in Malaysia is EUR 600 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 282 per month.
How much does rent cost in Malaysia?
A one-bedroom apartment in Malaysia averages EUR 450 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 950 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Malaysia?
The top personal income tax rate in Malaysia is 30%. The standard VAT rate is 10%.
How long does it take to qualify for citizenship in Malaysia?
Among the pathways we track, the Application For Citizenship Under Article 15 (1) Of The Federal Constitution – Wife Of A Citizen lists 2 years to citizenship. Timelines vary by route and personal circumstances — check the official source for your case.
Start Preparing for Malaysia
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