Updated List of Southeast Asia Digital Nomad Visas [2024]

Digital nomads around the world are ecstatic to learn about the new and upcoming Southeast Asia digital nomad visas. 

The region has been a longtime favorite destination for digital nomads who want affordable cities to live in and excellent wifi connections. Remote workers often frequent the best cities for digital nomads in Asia, like Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia. 

Though countries in Southeast Asia have fairly limited stays for tourist visas, many digital nomads have found their way around them with strategic planning. However, with the new Southeast Asia digital nomad visas, digital nomads can stay in one of these gorgeous countries even longer. 

These Southeast Asia digital nomad visas allow remote workers to settle down and truly call the country home. Some of the Southeast Asia digital nomad visas have much longer residence permits than other similar visas too. 

In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive list of Southeast Asia digital nomad visas that are available to apply for now and ones that are expected to become available soon. 

Make sure to bookmark this page or join our newsletter for the latest digital nomad visa news. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

Before we dive into the Southeast Asia digital nomad visas that are available or coming soon, let’s just go over exactly what a digital nomad visa is. 

A digital nomad visa allows remote workers to temporarily live in a foreign country. 

To be eligible for this type of visa, you must earn your income remotely from outside of the country where you wish to apply for the digital nomad visa. 

Digital nomad visa holders are not allowed to seek employment or engage in local economic business activities. 

These visas are ideal for digital nomads who have fallen in love with a destination and want to live there longer than a tourist visa allows. 

Available Digital Nomad Visas in Southeast Asia

In the last year, Southeast Asia digital nomad visas were introduced. Until then, many digital nomads had to travel throughout the region, visiting many different countries to avoid overstaying their tourist visas. 

Now, they can stay in their favorite country from six months to ten years, depending on the digital nomad visa they apply for. 

Indonesia B211A Visa

While Indonesia’s B211A visa is not technically a digital nomad visa, it is a great alternative for remote workers to live in the country for six months. 

As we anxiously await for the official Indonesia digital nomad visa (more mentioned at the end of the article), the B211A is an excellent option for remote workers who want a taste of the Bali lifestyle. 

The initial visa is granted for 60 days, but can be renewed twice. It’s fairly easy to apply for, especially when you get assistance from Nomads Embassy’s immigration lawyer partners. 

Visa Term: 60 days (renewable twice for a total of 180 days)

Visa Requirements

• Valid passport
• $2,000 bank balance or sponsorship in Indonesia
• Exit ticket from Indonesia

Read more about the requirements and how to apply for Indonesia’s B211A visa here. 

Malaysia

Malaysia’s digital nomad visa is officially known as the Professional Visit Pass. 

It is specifically for digital nomads who work remotely in the digital domain. For example, you must work as a digital marketer, IT consultant, programmer, content creator, and similar. 

The entire visa application process is done right online, making it one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for. 

With a large startup and tech community, Malaysia is an ideal place for digital nomads who want to network while exploring a new country. 

Visa Term: 3 months (renewable up to 12 months)

Visa Requirements

• Valid passport
• Work remotely in the digital domain
• Earn $24,000 per year
• Travel or health insurance coverage in Malaysia
• Clean criminal record

Read more about the requirements and how to apply for the Malaysia digital nomad visa here. 

Thailand

Thailand’s Long Term Residence Visa may be the hardest digital nomad visa to obtain. 

The requirements make the visa extremely selective. While there are three categories for those who are eligible (Work from Thailand, Wealthy Global Citizens, and Wealthy Pensioners), each one has very elite requirements. 

For example, Wealthy Global Citizens must prove they have $1 million in assets and make a $500,000 investment in Thailand. 

The Work from Thailand category applicants must earn at least $80,000 annually, or earn $40,000 and hold a Master’s Degree while working at an approved company.  

However, if you meet these requirements, you will be granted a 5-year renewable residence permit allowing you to live in Thailand. 

Visa Term: 10 years

Visa Requirements

• Valid passport
• Work remotely as an employee or earn a pension of $80,000 per year
• Work remotely as an employee for a publicly traded company earning $150 million in annual revenue and have a Masters Degree earning $40,000 per year (if applicable)
• Have $1 million in assets (if applicable)
• Invest $500,000 in Thailand (if applicable)
• Health insurance coverage in Thailand up to $50,000

Read more details about the individual categories, the requirements, and how to apply for the Thailand digital nomad visa here.

Southeast Asia Digital Nomad Visas Coming Soon

With so many popular digital nomad destinations in Southeast Asia, we are anxiously awaiting new digital nomad visas to become available in the region. 

The information below is simply what we know right now. The details about requirements and the application process are sure to change depending on the government. 

Indonesia

In June 2022, Indonesia announced plans to offer an official digital nomad visa. This news was welcomed by digital nomads worldwide as Bali and Canggu are extremely desired remote work destinations. 

Along with the ability to live in the country for five years, there also would be a tax break for digital nomads. They wouldn’t owe local taxes on their worldwide income during their time in Indonesia. This is a huge benefit for tax-savvy digital nomads. 

While we don’t have much more information about the visa, you can read more details about Indonesia’s digital nomad visa here.

Philippines

In June 2023, the Philippines introduced its plan to implement a digital nomad visa allowing remote workers to live in the country for up to two years.

As the Philippines becomes more popular amongst digital nomads due to its beautiful nature, tropical weather, and low cost of living, the government has also promised to increase wifi connectivity before launching the visa.

Philippines digital nomad visa holders would also experience a tax break. Even if they reside in the Philippines, they will not be considered tax residents. Therefore, they will not owe local income tax to the country.

While we don’t have much more information about the visa, you can read about the requirements and more details about the Philippines digital nomad visa here.

Sri Lanka

Announced in September 2023, Sri Lanka will launch a digital nomad visa for freelancers and remote workers. The visa will allow digital nomads and their family members to live in the country for one year with the opportunity to renew it. We are unaware of renewal limits.

Sri Lanka has been a favorite destination for digital nomads for years, thanks to its gorgeous jungles and beaches, modern cities, and affordable cost of living. With coworking spaces popping up in cities like Colombo, Sri Lanka is becoming more digital nomad-friendly.

The minimum income requirement to be eligible for the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa is $2,000 USD per month. These funds must also be channeled through a Sri Lankan bank account. There will also be a flat fee of $500 for the visa application, regardless of how many family members are included.

While we wait for more information about this opportunity, you can read our frequently updated article about the Sri Lanka digital nomad visa.

Why Digital Nomads Work from Southeast Asia

There are so many benefits of working remotely from Southeast Asia as a digital nomad. 

Firstly, the cost of living is extremely affordable, especially for those digital nomads earning salaries in the West. We just want to remind you that while you’re taking advantage of low-cost countries, you should also be conscious that you should give back as a digital nomad.

Secondly, there is a large digital nomad community in cities like Bali, Chiang Mai, Penang, and Hanoi. You can see digital nomads from all over the world working on their laptops in cafes and restaurants everywhere you go. 

Lastly, the wifi situation in Southeast Asia is extremely reliable. In major cities, you can expect to have excellent connection almost anywhere. The region is well-known for its technological advancement when it comes to tech. 

Apply for Southeast Asia Digital Nomad Visas with Nomads Embassy

Applying for a digital nomad visa can be overwhelming and confusing, especially when you must make an appointment at an embassy or consulate. 

Nomads Embassy is here to simplify your digital nomad visa application process! 

We have searched and hand-selected immigration lawyers in Southeast Asia to assist you in your digital nomad visa application and relocation process. Plus, with the Nomads Embassy platform, you can securely upload your documents and communicate with your lawyer easily and safely. 

Are you ready to get started on your Southeast Asia digital nomad visa? 

Simply complete the contact form in the individual visa article (found in the menu at the top of the page) to schedule a call with us!