Malaysia
Living, work, immigration, education & business — official links and practical guides
Key Facts
Basics
Currency
MYR
Region
Southeast Asia
Local time
UTC+8
Asia/Kuala Lumpur
Economy
Population
35.56M
GDP (current US$)
$422.23B
GDP per capita
$11,874
Source: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0) · 2024 · Last checked: 2026-07-06
Tax snapshot
Corporate tax
24%
SST
Sales tax 5% / 10% · Service tax 6% / 8%
Top individual income tax
30%
Capital-gains tax
No general CGT
- Gains on capital assets are generally not taxed. The exception is real property situated in Malaysia, where disposals fall under the Real Property Gains Tax at up to 30% — which is why this row states no general capital-gains tax rather than a 0% rate.
- Sales & Service Tax, not VAT: sales tax 5% or 10% on goods, service tax 6% or 8% on services. The figure shown is the standard sales-tax rate.
Source: National tax authority · Cross-check: OECD · PwC · KPMG · Last checked: 2026-07-16
Headline statutory rates. The income-tax figure includes national surtaxes; any regional or municipal layer is shown beside it. Social contributions and reliefs are excluded. Verify the current rate with the authority before relying on it.
At a glance
An English-friendly SE-Asian hub with the DE Rantau nomad pass, the MM2H long-stay programme (not PR), and salary-based Employment Passes.
Best for
Remote workers (DE Rantau), long-stay residents (MM2H), and employer-sponsored professionals.
Who this may not suit
People seeking permanent residence or citizenship — long-term status is renewable rather than permanent, and naturalisation is rare in practice.
Main routes in
Employment Pass A salary-based, employer-sponsored professional pass. DE Rantau Nomad Pass For digital nomads and remote professionals (MDEC). MM2H long-stay A renewable long-stay pass — a residence programme, not PR.
Key trade-offs
- MM2H is a long-stay pass, not permanent residence, with financial criteria.
- Employment Pass salary thresholds rose in 2026.
- Permanent residence and citizenship are restrictive.
First steps
- 1 Secure a job offer (EP), qualify for DE Rantau, or meet MM2H criteria.
- 2 The employer/agent files with Immigration, MDEC or ESD.
- 3 Complete medical and biometrics; collect your pass.
- 4 Arrange health insurance and register locally as required.
What changes often
- · MM2H and Premium Visa Programme financial criteria
- · Employment Pass salary tiers and dependant rights
- · State-level property purchase floors for foreigners
EP thresholds and MM2H terms change — confirm with the Immigration Department, MDEC and ESD. Immigration Department of Malaysia ↗
Major cities
All cities (7) →Living
Housing
Renting and buying property in Malaysia — typical rents, deposits, contracts, and official tenancy rules.
Healthcare
How the Malaysia healthcare system works — public vs private care, eligibility, and costs for residents and visitors.
Insurance
Insurance in Malaysia — health, travel, and digital-nomad cover, what is mandatory, and how to choose a plan.
Work
Jobs
Where to find jobs in Malaysia — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
Employers
Major employers hiring in Malaysia, with links to their official careers pages.
Government Jobs
Public-sector and civil-service hiring in Malaysia — the official government job portal.
Salaries
Typical salaries by role in Malaysia — pay ranges, taxes, and cost-of-living context.
Immigration & Mobility
Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Startup Visa
Entrepreneur and startup visa programs, investment thresholds, and application criteria.
Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
Tourist Visa
Tourist and visitor visa requirements, visa-free entry, duration, and application steps.
Permanent Residency
Permanent-residence routes: eligibility, required years of residence, and the official application steps — including any investment routes where a country offers them.
Citizenship
Naturalization rules: required residence years, language and civics requirements, and each country's dual-citizenship policy.
Employment & Labor
Hiring rules, employment contracts, payroll, social insurance, and EOR options.
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote-work visa programs, income requirements, duration, taxes, and application steps.
Education
Universities
Top universities in Malaysia, admissions, tuition, and international-student support.
Online Courses
Online learning relevant to Malaysia — accredited platforms, local MOOCs, and language courses.
Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in Malaysia — government, university, and international programs.
Study Abroad
How to study in Malaysia as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Business
Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Business Banking
Opening business and personal bank accounts, remote options, required documents, and fees.
Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
Tax System
Corporate tax, VAT/GST, personal income tax, capital gains, and filing obligations.
Import & Export
Customs procedures, duties, de minimis thresholds, EORI/registration, and restricted goods.
Trademark & IP
Trademark registration, patents, copyright, official IP offices, and filing costs.
Compliance
Corporate, tax, employment, data-protection, AML/KYC, trade and AI compliance — official regulators and registries.
Corporate Compliance
Annual filings, registered-agent and beneficial-ownership obligations, and the official company registry.
Tax Compliance
Filing calendars, registration thresholds and the official tax authority.
Employment Compliance
Mandatory contracts, payroll and social-insurance registration, and the official labor authority.
Privacy & Data Protection
The country's own data-protection regime, registration duties, and its official supervisory authority.
AML & KYC
Anti-money-laundering and customer-due-diligence obligations, regulated activities, and the official financial regulator.
Import & Export Compliance
Customs registration, controlled/restricted goods, sanctions screening, and the official customs authority.
AI Regulations
The country's own AI governance approach, risk tiers, transparency duties, and its official authority.