Head to head
Indonesia Remote worker visa vs Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass
Two remote-work routes side by side: money, stay, family, fees and tax, from the official sources. The official authority decides every application.
Key differences
- MoneyIndonesia Remote worker visa asks for income of $60k+ a year; Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass for income of $24k a year.
- First stayBoth give a first stay of 1 yr.
- RenewalIndonesia Remote worker visa: renewable, 6 years max. Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass: renewable, 2 years max.
- FamilySpouse can't work on both.
- WorkIndonesia Remote worker visa: limited. Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass: remote only.
- Government feesThe first government fee listed is IDR 7M ≈ $390 for Indonesia Remote worker visa and MYR 1,080 ≈ $260 for Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass; the table lists every fee.
- Tax residenceIndonesia: more than 183 days (rolling 12 months). Malaysia: at least 182 days (calendar year).
Side by side
Indonesia Remote worker visa | Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | 1Remote worker visa | 2DE Rantau nomad pass |
| Type | 1Remote worker visa Nomad / Remote work | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Nomad / Remote work |
| Money needed | 1Remote worker visa Needs income of $60k+ a year | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Needs income from $24k a year |
| First stay | 1Remote worker visa 1 yr | 2DE Rantau nomad pass 1 yr |
| Renewal | 1Remote worker visa Renewable, 6 years max DetailsThe stay permit can be extended online; extensions run up to the length of the first permit and total limited stay may not exceed 6 years. Directorate General of Immigration, IndonesiaDirectorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections of Indonesia | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Renewable, 2 years max DetailsThe pass can be renewed once for a further 12 months, for a maximum total stay of 24 months. |
| Spouse can work | 1Remote worker visa Can't work | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Can't work |
| Work | 1Remote worker visa Limited DetailsRemote duties for the overseas company only. | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Remote only DetailsRemote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment. |
| Government fees | 1Remote worker visa IDR 7M ≈ $390 Details
| 2DE Rantau nomad pass MYR 1,080 ≈ $260 · MYR 360/yr ≈ $88 · +1 more Details
|
| Citizenship | 1Remote worker visa General rule: 5 years of residence DetailsNaturalisation requires living in Indonesia for at least 5 consecutive years or 10 non-consecutive years, plus Indonesian language, steady income and no dual nationality. Ministry of Law, Directorate General of General Legal Administration | 2DE Rantau nomad pass |
| Processing | 1Remote worker visa 5 working days DetailsThe visa is decided within 5 working days after payment is received. | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Official timeline DetailsMDEC says applications and renewals are processed within six to eight weeks of a complete submission, and this is indicative. |
| Where to apply | 1Remote worker visa Abroad or in-country DetailsApply online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id and the stay permit is issued on arrival; visitors already in Indonesia on a visit visa (not visa on arrival or visa-free) can convert in-country for listed purposes. Directorate General of Immigration, IndonesiaDirectorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections of Indonesia | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Abroad or in-country DetailsApply online through MDEC; you do not need to be in Malaysia to apply. |
| Employer needed | 1Remote worker visa No | 2DE Rantau nomad pass No |
| Tax residence test | 1Remote worker visa More than 183 days (rolling 12 months) This route allows up to 6 yrs in total. | 2DE Rantau nomad pass At least 182 days (calendar year) Details
This route allows up to 2 yrs in total. |
| Foreign-source income | 1Remote worker visa Foreigners present in Indonesia more than 183 days in 12 months, or present in a tax year with intent to reside, are domestic tax subjects taxed on worldwide income. | 2DE Rantau nomad pass Foreign-source income exempt DetailsResident individuals are exempt from tax on foreign-source income received in Malaysia from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2036, except income from partnership businesses. |
| Tax note | 1Remote worker visa | 2DE Rantau nomad pass |
| Official source | 1Remote worker visa | 2DE Rantau nomad pass |
| Checked against official sources | 1Remote worker visa | 2DE Rantau nomad pass |
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Official sources
Indonesia Remote worker visa
- Visa index Remote worker visa E33G (Directorate General of Immigration) · Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia · checked 2026-10-12
- E31B Family Visa for Spouse of a Limited Stay Permit or Permanent Stay Permit Holder · Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia · checked 2026-10-12
- E31E Family Visa for Child of a Limited Stay Permit or Permanent Residence Permit Holder · Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia · checked 2026-10-12
- Immigration residence permits: extension of limited stay permits (ITAS), periods and caps · Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections of Indonesia · checked 2026-10-12
- Change of status from visit stay permit (ITK) to limited stay permit (ITAS) · Directorate General of Immigration, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections of Indonesia · checked 2026-10-12
- Law No. 12 of 2006 on Citizenship of the Republic of Indonesia · Ministry of Law, Directorate General of General Legal Administration (AHU) · checked 2026-10-11
Malaysia DE Rantau nomad pass
- DE Rantau Pass FAQ Version 10.0 · Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) · checked 2026-10-10