Immigration flags rise in social visit pass work violations
The immigration department reports a growing number of foreigners on social visit passes who are working illegally, a trend that also touches the DE Rantau Nomad Pass scheme.
The short version
- 266 foreigners inspected on a single day, all held valid documents
- 179 men and 87 women were among those examined
- Four US citizens, three Russians, two Australians and one Indian held DE Rantau Nomad Passes
Increase in social visit pass violations
Immigration director‑general Zakaria Shaaban said his department inspected 266 foreign nationals on Tuesday and confirmed that each possessed a valid immigration document. The operation revealed a surge in cases where individuals on social visit passes were found to be working, a practice that contravenes the conditions of those visas which are limited to tourism, business meetings or family visits.
Under the DE Rantau Nomad Pass programme, qualified digital professionals may reside in Malaysia for up to 12 months while performing remote work for overseas employers. Zakaria identified ten holders of this nomad pass – four from the United States, three from Russia, two from Australia and one from India – as part of the broader inspection. The programme is intended to attract remote workers, not to facilitate on‑shore employment.
The scrutiny comes after social media users raised concerns that Israeli nationals might be using the programme in Forest City by travelling on passports of other countries. While the home ministry has launched a probe following calls from Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the immigration department has yet to locate any Israeli citizens among those inspected.
Government response and ongoing investigations
Zakaria noted that among the foreigners examined, 179 were men and 87 were women, highlighting the demographic spread of the issue. He also mentioned that two Malaysian citizens were inspected during the same operation, although no breaches were reported for them. The department stressed that all inspected individuals held proper documentation, underscoring that the violation relates to the purpose of stay rather than illegal entry.
The home ministry has taken the allegations seriously, directing a formal investigation after the Johor chief minister urged a federal review. Officials have pledged to share any findings with relevant agencies, signalling a coordinated approach to enforce immigration rules and protect the integrity of Malaysia’s long‑stay visa schemes.
Despite the heightened focus, Zakaria said there is currently no evidence that Israeli nationals have entered the country under the Nomad Pass, but the department will continue its enquiries. The ongoing probe aims to clarify whether any passports have been used to mask nationality and to ensure that the DE Rantau Nomad Pass remains compliant with its remote‑work premise.
““Of the foreigners inspected, 179 were men while 87 were women,””
What it means
What this changes for an applicant
- Applicants for social visit passes should be aware that working locally is prohibited and may trigger inspection.
- Current DE Rantau Nomad Pass holders must continue remote work for overseas employers only, as any on‑shore employment could lead to revocation.
- The heightened scrutiny suggests that future inspections may become more frequent, especially for nationals from countries highlighted in recent concerns.
Source
This article was written by Malaysia Visa Guide, based on reporting by Free Malaysia Today. We summarise and explain the news in our own words; we do not reproduce it. Read the original report for the publisher's full account.
Last updated 2 August 2026.
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