Malaysia · Startup Visa
Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP)
Malaysia has no visa formally called a startup visa; its founder route is the Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme run by MDEC. It offers a short pass for new tech founders and a longer residence pass for established ones.
- Startup route
- Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP)
- Minimum capital
- No fixed capital; MYR 50,000 balance shown at renewal
- Permanent residence
- No set period; discretionary Entry Permit
- Citizenship
- 10 of the last 12 years' residence
MTEP New Entrepreneur (Professional Visit Pass, PVP-MTE)
The New Entrepreneur track is for a non-Malaysian, possibly self-employed, with an innovative business idea in the digital field and a strong digital proposition. To qualify, the founder signs up with one of MDEC's Malaysia Digital Hubs or with MRANTI, which acts as sponsor and signs a personal bond covering the founder's stay, maintenance and repatriation. Approval leads to a Professional Visit Pass valid for one year and renewable for one more. A company does not need to exist before applying, but once formed it must be based at a Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI. Family members cannot join on this track. After two years with achievements, the founder may move to the Established Entrepreneur track.
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable once for 1 year
- Processing time
- About 4 weeks, then the pass is issued within 2 weeks
- Government fee
- MYR 540 to apply; MYR 2,160 plus MYR 360 on approval
- Sponsor
- Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI, under a personal bond
- Family
- Not allowed on this track
- Leads to
- Established Entrepreneur pass after 2 years with achievements
Requirements
- Be a non-Malaysian tech founder or co-founder with an innovative digital business idea and a strong digital proposition.
- Sign up with an MDEC-recognized Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI, which sponsors you under a personal bond.
- Base the company at that Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI once it is set up.
- Submit the application and supporting documents in English, including a certificate of good conduct.
- Hold a nationality other than Israeli, which MDEC lists as the only exclusion.
How to apply
- Choose a Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI and agree sponsorship terms.
- Apply online through the MTEP system and pay the MYR 540 submission fee.
- Within six months of approval, submit your passport and pass fees at the Expats Service Centre in Cyberjaya.
- Renew after one year with milestones, a hub tenancy agreement and a MYR 50,000 personal balance held for three months.
MTEP Established Entrepreneur (Residence Pass, RP-MTE)
The Established Entrepreneur track serves founders with a strong digital proposition and a proven record: more than three years in business with the latest two years of financial records. Successful applicants receive a Residence Pass for up to five years, renewable for another five, and may set up the company anywhere in Malaysia. A Malaysian citizen over 21 acts as sponsor by signing a declaration form. A spouse and children under 18 can apply for dependent passes, and the spouse may work in Malaysia. Parents, parents-in-law and some older children can be considered for 12-month renewable social visit passes. The programme carries no tax exemptions or purchase incentives.
- Validity
- Up to 5 years, renewable for another 5
- Processing time
- About 4 weeks, then the pass is issued within 2 weeks
- Government fee
- MYR 540 to apply; MYR 4,860 plus MYR 500 on approval
- Sponsor
- Malaysian citizen over 21 signing a declaration
- Family
- Spouse may work; children under 18 as dependents
- Company location
- Anywhere in Malaysia
Requirements
- Show a strong digital proposition and more than three years in business, with the latest two years of financial records.
- Name a Malaysian citizen above 21 as sponsor, who signs the declaration form.
- Provide a certificate of good conduct from your home country or current country of residence.
- Submit all documents in English.
How to apply
- Prepare company financials, sponsor documents and a good-conduct certificate.
- Apply through the MTEP system and pay the submission fee.
- After approval, submit passports and pass fees at the Expats Service Centre.
- Renew two months before expiry with audited accounts, tax and EPF records.
How MTEP fits into Malaysia's founder options
MTEP is limited to technology founders and co-founders; non-technical founders may apply, but each case goes to the Approval Committee. Applicants do not need to be in Malaysia when they apply, and several members of a founding team can each seek a pass. Once a company exists, the founder can bring in staff through MDEC's Employment Pass channels, which differ for companies with and without Malaysia Digital status. Founders who already run a registered Sdn Bhd company may find an Employment Pass a better fit than MTEP.
The current MTEP FAQ, version 3.0 dated January 27, 2025, sets out the rules described here. Separately, MDEC's Malaysia Digital Location Recognition framework took effect on January 1, 2026, with recognition for MD Hub, MD Nexus and MD Tech Zone premises. Because New Entrepreneurs must base their company at a recognized hub, founders should confirm that their chosen hub holds current recognition before signing a tenancy agreement.
Questions and answers
Is there a startup visa in Malaysia?
Not by that name. The closest program is the Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme, run by MDEC, which issues a Professional Visit Pass to new technology founders and a Residence Pass to established ones. It is limited to digital and tech ventures, so founders in other sectors need a different pass, such as an Employment Pass for a registered company.
Do I need a Malaysian company before applying for MTEP?
No. The MTEP FAQ states that an established company is not required for either pass. New Entrepreneurs must base their company at a Malaysia Digital Hub or MRANTI once it is set up, while Established Entrepreneurs can incorporate anywhere in Malaysia. Founders who already run a Sdn Bhd company may instead apply for an Employment Pass.
Can I bring my family on the MTEP New Entrepreneur pass?
No. Only Established Entrepreneurs holding the Residence Pass can bring family. Their spouse and children under 18 may receive dependent passes, the spouse may work, and parents or parents-in-law can be considered for renewable 12-month social visit passes.
How much money must an MTEP founder show?
The FAQ sets no minimum investment for the first application, but renewal requires personal bank statements for the latest three months showing at least MYR 50,000 each month in cash deposits. New Entrepreneurs also provide product milestones and a one-year tenancy agreement from their hub when renewing.
Official sources
- Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) (MDEC)mdec.my
- MTEP FAQ Version 3.0 (January 27, 2025) (MDEC)www.mdec.my
- Announcement of the Effective Date for MD Location Recognition (MDEC)www.mdec.my
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Malaysia.
Startup visa
PVP-MTE for new tech founders: 1 year plus 1 renewal, based at a hub
02Temporary residence
RP-MTE for established founders: up to 5 years, renewable once
03Permanent residence
Entry Permit at the government's discretion; no published timeline
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 10 of 12 years' residence; dual nationality barred