5 Tech Startup Visa Options In Malaysia (2026)

Over the years, MISHU has assisted multiple foreigners with establishing a startup in Malaysia.

In our experience, not all were on a tight budget, but most were!

Luckily for tech ventures, Malaysia has several visa options catering to foreign startups across the funding spectrum from the VC-backed to fully bootstrapped.

Below, we share five visa pathways correct as of 2025, as a quick-reference directory covering:

• costs and requirements
• validity periods
• key benefits and limitations, and
• our personal recommendations on who each visa suits best

Each entry has a link to a full guide so you can read more on visas that fit your needs. 

Note: We’ve only mentioned costs related to fixed government fees and not third-party service charges which vary between providers (but we promise we don’t charge that much!)

Let’s begin.

Category 1 Employment Pass

This is the default startup visa needed by any foreigner who wants to run a company in Malaysia.

As the other options listed are essentially variations of how to obtain this pass, we think it’s important to understand the original to truly appreciate its alternatives!

For founders new to foreign company incorporation, getting an EP has three main steps:

1. Incorporate a company in Malaysia
2. Appoint yourself as director
3. Apply for a Category 1 EP to work as an expat in your own company

Aspect	EP Category I
Validity	Up to 5 years (renewable)
Government Fee	RM2,000
Requirements	Have an incorporated company in Malaysia Minimum paid up capital (PUC) of RM250,000–RM1,000,000 depending on foreign ownership level and industry Minimum salary of RM10,000 per month for pass holder
Dependents	Yes

The main benefit is also the key limitation: High PUC and salary demands. 

These make a conventional Category 1 EP unobtainable for most startups.

However, for startups that can meet them, there’s really no other obstacle and a high chance the application will be approved, making it the most reliable path to a long-term visa.

For full details, see our guide to Employment Passes in Malaysia.

MD Status

Malaysia Digital (MD) Status is not itself a visa, but a credential given to companies in Malaysia, including startups, that operate in specific tech sectors. 

The process is identical to a conventional EP application with one extra step:

1. Incorporate a company in Malaysia
2. Appoint yourself as director
3. Apply for MD Status, and if successful
4. Apply for Category 1 EP

The key advantage is that with MD Status, a company can apply for a Category 1 Employment Pass with significantly lower PUC. 

Aspect	MD Status
Validity	Indefinite (as long as compliance maintained, not to be confused with EP validity period of 5 years)
Government Fees	RM1,080 processing fee
Requirements	Have an incorporated company in Malaysia Minimum PUC of RM1,000 Business must be related to MD-approved activity Within 12 months of MD status award: Begun operations of MD activity Hired 2 knowledge workers (RM5,000+ salary) Incurred RM50,000+ annual expenses
Dependents	Yes (identical to Category 1 EP)

MD Status gives bootstrapped startups a lifeline since upfront costs are basically the cost of incorporating a company, having PUC of RM1,000, and applying for MD status.

Everything else can be shown later once your begin operating the business.

In fact, MD Status offers many other benefits, so even if a tech startup can afford a normal Category 1 EP,  saying no MD Status if it can qualify is saying no to free money.

So check if you qualify for MD Status application here!

MTEP New Entrepreneur Pass

The Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) was launched to attract foreign tech companies of all sizes, and its New Entrepreneur Pass is the foreign startup visa for most.

Aspect	MTEP – New Tech Entrepreneur
Validity	1 year (renewable for another year if first-year targets met)
Government Fees	RM530 application fee RM2,120 processing fee RM500 immigration pass fee
Requirements	Pitch deck 3 months bank statement with minimum RM50,000 Certificate of Good Conduct Tenancy/offer letter from an approved co-working space Must operate from the sponsoring co-working space
Dependents	No

Compared to a conventional Category 1 EP, the requirements are night and day.

Sure, it’s only valid for a year, but you only need to show RM50,000 in your bank account, and don’t even need to incorporate a company before applying!

Being limited to a co-working space and no family members strongly suggests this pass is meant for younger entrepreneurs starting from scratch and hungry for success.

For full details, check out our guide to MTEP new founders.

MTEP Experienced Tech Entrepreneur Pass

MTEP is actually a multi-tiered programme, and the previous entry is its entry level pass.

Tech founders with experience may qualify for MTEP’s Experienced Entrepreneur Pass, a significant step up from the New Entrepreneur Pass.

Aspect	MTEP – Experienced Tech Entrepreneur
Validity	5 years (renewable for another 5 years)
Government Fees	RM530 application fee RM4,770 processing fee RM500 immigration pass fee RM2,120 dependent fee (per person) RM1,060 Social Visit Pass fee (per year, per person)
Requirements	Business pitch deck 3 months bank statement with minimum RM50,000 Certificate of Good Conduct Declaration Form from a Malaysian sponsor/individual
Dependents	Yes
Spouse Work	Yes

As you can see, this is a huge upgrade from the MTEP New Entrepreneur Pass.

Holders get five years of stability, freedom to operate anywhere in Malaysia, and the ability to bring family members to Malaysia with spouses legally allowed to work or start a business.

Of course, it’s limited to founders with a sufficient track record, but those that do can easily make Malaysia their long-term base for business and family life.

And all at significantly lower requirements than a conventional Category 1 EP!

To see if you qualify, read our guide to MTEP for established entrepreneurs.

MM2H Platinum

Though Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is mainly meant as a retirement programme, lots of retirees launch businesses, which is why the MM2H Platinum tier grants holders full freedom to work and do business in Malaysia.

Requirements are steeper than a Category 1 EP but comes with unmatched benefits. 

Aspect	MM2H Platinum Pass
Validity	20 years (renewable every 5 years)
Government Fees	RM200,000 participation fee (principal only)
Requirements	Minimum RM2 million property purchase (cannot sell for 10 years unless upgrading) USD1 million fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank (50% withdrawable for property purchase) Minimum stay in Malaysia of 90 days/year (unless over 50)
Dependents	Yes
Spouse Work	Yes
Other Features	Children get automatic Student Pass Transferable to next-of-kin among dependents

Clearly, this is not a startup visa option for someone starting their first venture.

However, it’s worth considering for retirees primarily looking for long-term relocation where they can launch all the startup ideas they’ve built up over the years.

Check out our full guide to MM2H Platinum Passes if that describes you!

Our final recommendations

If we were a foreign tech startup, we could choose:

1. MTEP Experienced Entrepreneur Pass if we had a proven track record
2. MTEP New Entrepreneur Pass if we were completely new to startups
3. MD Status if we were confident about our startup idea and wanted to enjoy other benefits like significant tax reductions
4. MM2H Platinum if we were ballers
5. Conventional EP 1 only if we for some reason couldn’t qualify for MD Status or MTEP

All the best with your venture, and remember that we’re always here if you need help!

Let MISHU help with your foreign tech startup

Whether directly or through one of our partners, MISHU is here to help foreign entrepreneurs choose and apply for the right long-term visa for their tech startup. Get in touch today!