Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa vs. Thailand Digital Nomad Visa

For years, digital nomads have flocked to Southeast Asia thanks to its affordable lifestyle, great food, amazing beaches, and warm weather. Today, we’re looking into the Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa to help you decide which one is right for your lifestyle. 

Malaysia introduced its digital nomad visa program, also known as the De Rantau Nomad Pass, in October 2022. It is specifically for digital nomads who work in the digital domain, which includes digital marketing, IT, software, content creation, and more. 

Thailand introduced its digital nomad visa program, known as the Long-Term Residence Permit, in August 2022. There are three eligibility categories for this permit: remote worker, retirees, and wealthy individuals. For the sale of this article, we will focus on the remote worker category. 

The Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa proves to be very different. While geographically close, the eligibility requirements and benefits for both of these visas differ greatly. 

By the end of this article, you will know the major differences between the Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa and, hopefully, which one is best for your digital nomad lifestyle. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

There are over 30 digital nomad visas available around the world. These visas are specifically for remote workers to live abroad temporarily. 

Usually, these visas last for about a year and are renewable a couple of times. However, in some cases, they can lead to permanent residency. 

It’s important to note that digital nomad visas do not allow you to seek local employment in the country. 

You must earn your income working remotely either as an employee or owner of a company or freelance for clients located outside of the country where you hold the digital nomad visa. 

The Importance of Choosing the Right Digital Nomad Visa

Applying for a digital nomad visa is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

While they do not require you to search for a job abroad, there are some serious things to consider, such as how to find an apartment to live, if you can drive in the country, and opening bank accounts if necessary. 

There are also the tax implications of digital nomad visas that you must consider. Sometimes, moving to a foreign country can be detrimental to how much you owe in taxes if you don’t plan accordingly. 

Choosing a digital nomad visa should be something you think deeply about and research. And well, if you’re here reading this article, you’re doing just that! 

Comparing the pros and cons of each visa and imagining what life will be like for you is a crucial part of picking the right digital nomad visa to apply for. 

Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa vs. Thailand Digital Nomad Visa

In this article, we are comparing the Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa for an easy and straightforward way to assist you in making your decision. 

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads has a mission to make the world more accessible to digital nomads by sharing verified information in an easy and comprehensive way. 

Plus, with our hand-selected local immigration lawyers and our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa service, we’ve made the digital nomad visa application process even easier. 

From research to relocation, Nomads Embassy is here to simplify the digital nomad visa process.  

Visa Requirements

Each digital nomad visa has a specific set of eligibility requirements applicants must meet to be considered for approval. 

Below is a comparison of Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa requirements. 

Valid Passport

• Malaysia – Passport must be valid for at least 14 months at the time of applying
• Thailand – Passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of collecting your visa

You must have a valid passport when applying for both Malaysia and Thailand digital nomad visas. However, the validity period is different. 

Income Requirement

• Malaysia – $2,000 per month
• Thailand – $80,000 per year OR $40,000 if you have a Master’s Degree

Malaysia’s income requirement is much less than Thailand’s income requirement. 

Thailand offers a discounted income requirement if you have a Master’s Degree, though. 

Work Remotely

• Malaysia – Yes
• Thailand – Yes

Both countries require applicants to show proof that they work remotely through employment and/or freelance contracts or a business established abroad. 

To qualify for the Malaysia digital nomad visa, applicants must work in the digital domain, such as IT, software, web development, digital marketing, or content creation. 

Remote workers applying for Thailand’s digital nomad visa must be employed for at least three years by a company that is publicly traded and earns at least $150 million in revenue annually. 

International Health Insurance

• Malaysia – Yes
• Thailand – Yes

Both countries require applicants to have an international health insurance policy that covers them in the country for the duration of their visa. 

Clean Criminal Record

• Malaysia – Yes
• Thailand – No

Thailand does not require applicants to submit a criminal background check when applying for a digital nomad visa. 

However, Malaysia does require you to submit a certified criminal background check from your country of residence. 

Family Inclusion

• Malaysia – Yes
• Thailand – Yes

Malaysia and Thailand allow applicants to include a spouse and dependents below the age of 18. 

Application Process

• Malaysia – Online application
• Thailand – Online application and in-person

Applicants can submit their documents and visa applications through online portals set up by Malaysia’s government. 

Thailand requires applicants to submit their application online, but also attend a visa interview at a Thai embassy or consulate. 

Time to Approval

• Malaysia – 4 weeks
• Thailand – 20 days

After submitting your documents to the authorities, it will take about 28 days to receive an answer from Malaysia and 20 days to receive an answer from Thailand.

You will then have 60 days to attend your visa interview for the Thailand digital nomad visa. 

Visa Term

• Malaysia – 12 months
• Thailand – 10 years

Malaysia’s digital nomad visa is valid for 12 months. 

Thailand’s digital nomad visa is valid for 10 years. 

Renewal Options

• Malaysia – renewable once
• Thailand – non-renewable

The Malaysia digital nomad visa is renewable once, allowing remote workers to live in the country for up to two years.

We are unaware of a renewal option for the Thailand digital nomad visa. 

Path to Permanent Residency

• Malaysia – No
• Thailand – No

Neither the Malaysia digital nomad visa nor the Thailand digital nomad visa will lead to permanent residency. 

Government Fees

• Malaysia – $220
• Thailand – $1,370

Malaysia’s digital nomad visa fees are much less than the cost of applying for Thailand’s digital nomad visa. 

Tax Implications

• Malaysia – Tax resident
• Thailand – Tax resident with discounted tax rate

Digital nomads will be considered a tax resident in both Malaysia and Thailand when they apply for a digital nomad visa. 

However, the Thailand digital nomad visa offers a discounted tax rate of 17% to digital nomad visa holders. 

Nationality Restrictions

• Malaysia – No
• Thailand – No

There are no known nationality restrictions for the Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa. 

Difficulty of Applying on Your Own

• Malaysia – 6/10
• Thailand – 8/10

While it is completely possible to apply for both the Malaysia and Thailand digital nomad visas on your own, it has not proven to be easy. 

When dealing with embassies or consulates, you can count on long wait times on phone calls, emails, and low-tier custom service. There also tends to be a lot of miscommunication between the consulate, the government, and applicants. 

Applying for a digital nomad visa with an immigration lawyer can ease this stress and miscommunication. Part of the lawyer’s job is to communicate with the embassy, consulate, and other authorities on your behalf so you don’t have to wait on hold for hours. 

Having a local immigration lawyer that speaks the language can also help you get questions answered, push your application faster, and get updates on the status of your application quicker. 

Begin Your Digital Nomad Visa Application with Nomads Embassy

Did this article help you decide which digital nomad visa to apply for? 

After weighing the pros and cons of the Malaysia digital nomad visa vs. Thailand digital nomad visa, you probably have a better understanding of which is best for your lifestyle and goals. 

Deciding which digital nomad visa to apply for is just the first step. Now, it’s time to connect with a local immigration lawyer to assist you with your relocation process. 

Nomads Embassy is here to help connect you with our hand-selected and verified immigration lawyers worldwide.

To begin your digital nomad visa application process, request our free eligibility check today!