Updated List of Asia Digital Nomad Visas [2024]

Over the last few months, more countries in Asia have introduced digital nomad visas, allowing remote workers to temporarily live in the region. We’ve compiled a list of Asia digital nomad visas available now and coming soon. 

While many digital nomads considered Southeast Asia to be one of the best regions to live and work remotely, East Asia has started to officially welcome remote workers to the area. Incredibly rich in culture, great food, and often affordable costs of living, these Asia digital nomad visa countries should definitely be on your radar when planning your travels. 

Now, it’s important to note that there is a mix of immigration and non-immigrant digital nomad visas on this list. Some Asia digital nomad visas are a simple extension of a tourist visa, while others allow applicants to obtain a residence permit in the country. 

As we go through the details of each Asia digital nomad visa option, we will clarify the visa term and whether it is an immigrant visa or not. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa allows remote workers (and sometimes their family members) to temporarily stay in a foreign country for longer than a tourist visa allows. 

It’s important to note that these visas do not allow applicants to engage in local business economic activity. They must earn a remote income through entities established abroad. 

Asia Digital Nomad Visas Available Now

Right now, there are a handful of Asia digital nomad visas that are accepting applications from remote workers and their family members. 

Indonesia 

Visa Term: 1 year (renewable)

Indonesia finally launched its long-awaited digital nomad visa. Remote employees earning at least $60,000 per year are eligible to apply and live in the country for up to two years. 

As of July 2024, applicants may not include family members on their applications. 

The Indonesia digital nomad visa is an immigrant visa, so applicants will receive a temporary residence card or KITAS. With this residency, they will be subject to paying local income tax. 

The application process is done entirely online and takes about one week to process. 

It is encouraged to stay in tourist-driven locations, such as Canggu and Bali, where this digital nomad visa is recognized by authorities. 

If you plan to stay in Indonesia for six months or less, then you may also be interested in the Indonesia B211a visa. 

Japan

Visa Term: 6 months (non-renewable)

Japan introduced its digital nomad visa to a select 49 nationalities, allowing them to live and work remotely in the country for six months. 

To be eligible for Japan’s digital nomad visa, you must hold a passport from one of the approved countries and earn at least $68,300 USD per year working remotely. Family members are allowed to join the main applicant. 

It’s important to note that Japan’s digital nomad visa is a non-immigrant visa, so you may not sign long-term leases or open bank accounts. It is essentially an extended tourist visa specifically for digital nomads. 

Malaysia

Visa Term: 1 year (renewable)

Malaysia’s digital nomad visa, officially known as the De Rantau Visa, allows remote workers in the digital domain or who hold a chief officer or manager position to live in the country for up to two years with their family members. 

To be eligible for Malaysia’s digital nomad visa, you must either earn at least $24,000 per year working in the digital domain or earn $60,000 per year working as a chief officer or manager for a company. 

The application process is done entirely online, except for picking up your approved visa outside of Malaysia. However, the entire process can take anywhere from four to six months. 

This is one of the more difficult Asia digital nomad visas to apply for due to strict eligibility requirements and due processing. So, we definitely recommend working with an immigration lawyer. 

Malaysia’s digital nomad visa is an immigrant visa, so you will receive a residence card while living in the country. 

South Korea

Visa Term: 1 year (renewable)

As South Korea gains popularity as a tourist destination, it has also officially welcomed remote workers with its digital nomad visa. 

This visa allows digital nomads to live in the country for up to two years with their immediate family members. This immigrant visa allows you to obtain a residence permit and sign long-term leases in the country. 

To be eligible for this visa, you must earn at least $65,630 USD gross per year and have worked remotely in your position for at least one year before applying. 

The application must be submitted to a South Korean consulate abroad in person before arriving in the country. Processing times take about two weeks. 

If you are currently living in South Korea on another type of visa, such as as student visa, you may convert it to a digital nomad visa if you meet the requirements. 

Thailand (Destination Thailand Visa)

Visa Term: 5-years with multiple 180-day stays

There are two digital nomad visa options for Thailand. The first is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which is valid for five years and allows remote workers to stay in the country for 180 days upon each entry. One of these stays may be extended for an additional 180 days. 

This is a non-immigrant visa, so you will still have a tourist status. 

It’s also important to note that this visa does not allow you to stay in Thailand for five years. It simply allows multiple entries into Thailand during a five year period. 

To be eligible, you must be at least 20 years old, work remotely, and have at least $13,665 USD in your bank account. 

The application process is done entirely online for select nationalities and takes about two weeks to process. 

Thailand (Long-Term Residence Visa)

Visa Term: 5 years (renewable)

The original digital nomad visa in Thailand is known as the Long-Term Residence Visa. However, this visa is extremely selective when it comes to the eligibility requirements. 

To be eligible, you must work remotely for a publicly traded company earning at least $150 million in annual revenue and earn at least $80,000 per year for the last two years or $40,000 per year for the last two years if you have a Master’s Degree. As you can see, many digital nomads don’t fit this criteria. 

However, if you are eligible, you may stay in Thailand for up to ten years with your immediate family members. 

This is an immigrant visa and you will receive a residence permit in Thailand. 

Asia Digital Nomad Visas Coming Soon

Hopefully in the near future, we will have the official launch of the following announced Asia digital nomad visas. 

Philippines

Visa Term: 1 year (renewable)

The Philippines have plans to invite digital nomads to come and live and work remotely in the country for up to two years with the digital nomad visa. 

When first announced, the government planned on giving tax benefits and breaks to digital nomads. However, recently, the government is in a rush to launch the visa and has abandoned the promise of tax breaks. 

Learn more about the proposed Philippines digital nomad visa. 

Sri Lanka

Visa Term: 1 year (renewable)

Plans for a Sri Lanka digital nomad visa were announced in 2023, but we still have yet to see the launch of the visa. The proposed visa will allow remote workers to live in the country for up to two years. 

As of now, we know that the minimum income requirement will be $2,000 USD per month and that there will be a $500 application fee. 

Learn more about the proposed Sri Lanka digital nomad visa

Taiwan

Visa Term: 6 months (non-renewable)

Taiwan recently announced plans to extend a warm welcome to digital nomads with a six-month tourist visa. This is an effort to attract highly skilled individuals to the country and boost its economy. 

This digital nomad visa will be available to nationalities who can already enter Taiwan visa-free or through a visa exemption agreement. 

Learn more about the proposed Taiwan digital nomad visa. 

Apply for One of These Asia Digital Nomad Visas with Noamds Embassy

Interested in applying for a digital nomad visa but don’t want to do it on your own? We get it – bureaucracy is confusing and difficult. 

That’s why Nomads Embassy has created Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Services with our hand-selected local immigration lawyers! 

Apply for your digital nomad visa with confidence and a 100% compliant application with the help of an immigration lawyer and the dedicated support of Nomads Embassy. 

Find out which digital nomad visa you’re eligible to apply for with our free eligibility assessment today!