The Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) is a government-backed visa initiative launched in 2017 to attract foreign tech founders and co-founders to establish and grow technology-driven businesses in Malaysia. Administered by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), with passes issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, the programme offers two entrepreneur pass categories: a one-year Professional Visit Pass (PVP-MTE) for New Entrepreneurs, and a Residence Pass valid up to five years (RP-MTE) for Established Entrepreneurs with a proven track record. It is open to all nationalities and is restricted to tech entrepreneurs working in qualifying digital-economy sectors such as AI, fintech, healthtech, agritech, blockchain, cybersecurity, and IoT.
New Entrepreneur (PVP-MTE): latest resume; passport (all pages, min. 6 empty); business pitch deck; latest 3-month personal bank statement showing the MYR 50,000 balance (cash deposit only); Letter of Good Conduct; Letter of Offer from a recognised hub or partner for a 1-year tenancy; Personal Bond signed by the sponsoring organisation and stamped by the Inland Revenue Board.
Established Entrepreneur (RP-MTE): Malaysian Sponsor Form and copy of the sponsor's NRIC; latest resume; passport (min. 6 empty pages); business pitch deck; latest 3-month personal bank statement (cash deposit only); Letter of Good Conduct; company incorporation forms; latest certified audited financial report or management account.
The PVP-MTE is issued for 1 year and renewable for one additional year. Before renewal, the holder must have incorporated a Sdn Bhd (private limited company), continue to meet the MYR 50,000 balance requirement, and demonstrate business milestones and product validation. A survey is sent 3 months before expiry and a renewal notification 2 months before. After completing 2 years as a New Entrepreneur with demonstrated achievement, the holder may apply for the Established Entrepreneur category (or an Employment Pass to continue the business). The RP-MTE is issued for up to 5 years and renewable for another 5 years, submitted at least 2 months before expiry.
Only Established Entrepreneurs (RP-MTE) may sponsor dependants. Eligible dependants on an RP-Dependent pass include a spouse, children (including adopted/stepchildren) under 18, disabled children of any age, and biological children of a common-law marriage under 18. Additional relatives — parents, parents-in-law, unmarried and unemployed dependent children aged 18-25, and a common-law partner — may be considered for a 12-month renewable RP-Social Visit Pass. The spouse of an RP-MTE holder is eligible to work in Malaysia. New Entrepreneurs (PVP-MTE) cannot bring family members.
Applications are submitted online through MDEC's MTEP system (also accessible via the MyGovernment / RAI portal); all documents must be in English and applicants need not be in Malaysia to apply. The process follows five steps: (1) submit the online application with all required documents; (2) MDEC reviews and processes it within approximately 4 weeks and issues an approval recommendation; (3) apply for the visa / e-Visa; (4) on approval, receive an approval letter (valid 6 months, non-extendable) and enter Malaysia; (5) submit passport and payment for pass issuance at the eXpats Service Centre in Cyberjaya (issuance within ~2 weeks for a new pass, ~1 week on renewal).
Fees: a non-refundable application fee of MYR 530 per applicant is payable on submission for all categories. On approval, fees are payable on passport submission for issuance:
Processing fees include 6% SST and are paid online to MDEC. Multiple-entry visa charges may apply and vary by country.
Effective 1 January 2026, MDEC's location-recognition framework transitioned from the Malaysia Digital Hub (MDH) and MD Cybercity/Cybercentre designations to the new MD Location Recognition (MDLR) framework, which introduces three categories: MD Hub, MD Nexus, and MD Tech Zone. New Entrepreneurs must operate from, and obtain sponsorship at, an MDLR-recognised location (or a recognised partner such as MRANTI) and maintain a 1-year tenancy. Established Entrepreneurs may set up their company anywhere in Malaysia.
The business must operate in qualifying technology sectors. Non-qualifying activities explicitly excluded include trading/marketplace/reselling, manufacturing, provision of telco services, consultancy, software integration, co-working space operation, and services-related activities such as design, support, outsourcing, or freelancing.
MTE pass holders must file tax in Malaysia. Tax residency is determined by 183+ days of physical presence per calendar year; Malaysian-sourced income is taxed at progressive rates from 0% to 30%, while foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed if not remitted to Malaysia. The programme itself provides no tax exemptions, though companies with Malaysia Digital status may qualify for outcome-based tax incentives for qualifying activities.