On October 9, 2026, the Malaysian government announced the following immigration measures as part of its Budget 2027, subject to conditions:
- Work rights for spouses of Category I Employment Pass holders: From January 1, 2027, spouses of expatriates holding a Category I Employment Pass (EP) will be allowed to work in Malaysia on Dependent Pass (DP).
- Extension for DE Rantau Nomad Pass holders: Existing holders of the DE Rantau Nomad Pass (Professional Visit Pass, Nomad category) who have reached the current two-year limit will be granted an additional two years to continue living and working remotely in Malaysia.
These measures will take effect once the Budget is approved, and the relevant authorities publish implementation guidelines setting out the eligibility conditions and, for the DE Rantau extension, the effective date. We will issue an update once further details are available.
If you have any questions, please contact the T&S APAC Team.
