PUTRAJAYA, April 18, 2026 – The Ministry of Digital has announced that the backlog of more than 3,600 Foreign Knowledge Worker (FKW) applications has been fully processed on the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) side as of April 15, 2026, and has now progressed to the next stage.
The development comes in response to industry concerns raised after the Ministry’s press statement on March 29, 2026, regarding recent revisions to FKW application guidelines and associated processing timelines. The backlog had also affected the DE Rantau Nomad programme and the Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP).
According to the Ministry, the delays stemmed from several factors, including technological system constraints that required manual processing, limited manpower, and a sharp surge in the volume of applications.
“MDEC is now proceeding with the processing of the remaining applications,” the press release stated. To address the issue immediately, several interim measures have been implemented, including the redeployment of staff, restructuring of workflows, hiring of temporary personnel, and the addition of appropriate resources to enhance efficiency and expedite processing.
The Ministry targets a return to full operational stability by the second quarter of 2026.
In a longer-term move to prevent future backlogs, MDEC has begun procuring a new integrated digital platform that will consolidate the FKW, DE Rantau Nomad, and MTEP programmes. The platform will incorporate automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to significantly reduce reliance on manual processes and improve overall delivery efficiency.
Implementation of the FKW application module is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026, followed by the DE Rantau Nomad and MTEP modules by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The Ministry emphasised its commitment to restoring industry confidence and strengthening Malaysia’s position as a premier destination for global digital talent.
“The Ministry remains committed to restoring industry confidence, enhancing service delivery efficiency, and strengthening Malaysia’s position as a premier destination for global digital talent,” the statement read. It expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their understanding and support, and said further updates will be shared as improvements are rolled out.
This announcement is expected to provide relief to tech companies, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs awaiting approvals under the three flagship programmes.
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