MTEP, the tech founder visa
The Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme is a pass for foreign tech founders, administered by MDEC rather than the tourism ministry. There's a one-year New Entrepreneur Pass and a longer pass for founders with a track record.
The two passes
- New Entrepreneur Pass — around one year, for founders starting out.
- Established Entrepreneur Pass — longer term, for founders with existing traction, funding or revenue.
What you'll need to show
- A technology or digital business, or a credible plan for one.
- Relevant background — prior founding experience, funding, or a working product.
- Application through MDEC, not through an MM2H agent.
Why founders choose it
It's a gateway to Malaysia Digital status, which carries its own tax and operational incentives, and it puts you inside the local tech ecosystem rather than adjacent to it. No deposit, no property purchase.
How it compares
If your business is genuinely a tech startup, MTEP is more appropriate than the Labuan structure, which suits established consulting or trading businesses better and carries real substance costs. If you're not building a company at all and simply work remotely, DE Rantau is far simpler.
Confirm the current terms directly
MTEP criteria and pass durations are set by MDEC and have been adjusted several times. We've kept this page deliberately general because the specifics move — check MDEC's own documentation for current requirements before planning around it.
Common questions
What is MTEP in Malaysia?
The Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme is a visa pathway for foreign technology founders, administered by MDEC. It offers a New Entrepreneur Pass of around one year for founders starting out and a longer Established Entrepreneur Pass for those with existing traction or funding. It requires no fixed deposit or property purchase.
Is MTEP better than the Labuan director visa for founders?
It depends on the business. MTEP suits genuine technology startups and provides a route to Malaysia Digital status with its associated incentives. The Labuan director route suits established consulting or trading businesses and offers a 3% corporate rate, but carries substance requirements of two Labuan staff and RM 50,000 a year in local operating expenditure.
Checked July 2026 against Immigration Department, MYXpats, MDEC and Labuan FSA guidance. Employment-linked routes change with policy — confirm with your employer's HR or a licensed adviser before relying on any figure.