If you work remotely and like to travel around Asia, it is now more than ever possible to combine business with pleasure. The key to this balance is obtaining a digital nomad visa. We will tell you in detail about each of the Asian countries where it is possible to obtain nomad status in this guide.
By the way, they issue similar documents for remote workers and freelancers on almost all continents — read our great material, where we have collected all the countries of the world that issue a digital nomad visa at the moment.
Now let’s focus on Asia.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan recently introduced its own visa for nomads.
Peculiarities:
- Exemption from the need to obtain a multiple-entry visa, work permit and registration at the place of stay.
- Automatic receipt of a personal identification number.
- You can operate as an individual entrepreneur or a legal entity.
- You can move with your family.
- You cannot get a residence permit.
The validity period of the visa is 1 year, with an extension of up to 2 years.
Requirements:
- You need to be a citizen of one of these countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russian Federation.
- Fields of activity for which you can apply (IT, programming, design, media art, etc.).
- There are no income requirements, but you will need to provide an extract.
You can apply for a visa here.
The deadline for consideration of the application is 3 working days.
Visa fee: free of charge.
Living in the country: rent a one—bedroom apartment – €300-400, communal apartment — €27, monthly pass — €7, lunch at an inexpensive cafe — €5.
Malaysia
Malaysia has launched a new visa program, DE Rantau Nomad Pass, designed specifically for digital nomads.
Features: you can come to the country together with family members — spouse/partner, children under 18 years of age and children with disabilities without age restriction.
Validity period: from 3 to 12 months with the possibility of extension for another 12 months, so the maximum period of stay is 24 months.
Requirements:
- Annual income of at least 24,000 US dollars.
- Confirmation of work as a freelancer (contracts, invoices) or a remote employee (employment contract).
- The passport is valid for more than 14 months at the time of application.
- It also requires either a sponsor (an organization in Malaysia) or a deposit in MDEC as a guarantee fee.
You can apply online.
The amount of fees is: for the main applicant — 1080 ringgit (about 250 USD), for each additional applicant — 540 ringgit. Plus an immigration fee of 90 ringgit every 3 months or 360 ringgit per year.
Processing time: the initial review of the application takes 6-8 weeks, and the issuance of a visa sticker after approval takes 1 week; the extension of the visa is processed within 4 weeks.
Living in the country: rent a one—bedroom apartment – €220-300, communal apartment — €40, monthly pass — €10, lunch at an inexpensive cafe — €2.50.
UAE
The UAE issues a visa for self-employed persons (the so-called “Green Visa”).
Validity period: it is provided for 60 days to complete the process of obtaining a five-year residence permit.
Requirements:
- Request a self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- Have a higher education (minimum bachelor’s degree).
- Evidence of financial stability, namely at least 360,000 dirhams (about $98,000) of annual income over the past 2 years.
The application can be submitted online or at the Amer migration service within the country.
The cost of the visa and other fees: the visa fee is 200 dirhams (about $55), plus VAT — 5%. When you are in The UAE pays an additional fee for staying in the country (500 dirhams) and several small fees.
Living in the country: rent a one—bedroom apartment – €1100-1600, communal apartment — €160, monthly pass — €73, lunch at an inexpensive cafe — €8.
And they also issue a talent visa in Dubai, which we have already written about in detail.
Taiwan
An Employment Gold Card visa is valid in Taiwan.
Peculiarities:
- It combines a residence permit, a work permit, an identity card for foreigners and the right to multiple entry/ exit.
- You can look for a job with her, work part-time, change employers.
- Provides tax benefits and an accelerated path to permanent residence.
- Entitles you to health insurance without a six-month wait.
Validity period: from 1 year to 3 years with the possibility of extension.
Requirements:
- Meet the criteria of a highly qualified specialist in their field (science, technology, economics, culture, sports, education, architecture, digital technologies, and so on).
- To confirm professional qualifications, experience and achievements in the chosen field of activity.
- It is not required to have an employer/sponsor in advance Taiwan.
The application can be submitted online on the program’s website.
Review period: 30 days, in some cases up to 50-60 days.
The cost of a visa: from $100 to $310 — everything will depend on the citizenship and the duration of the visa.
Living in the country: rent a one—bedroom apartment – €300-400, communal apartment — €75, monthly pass — €35, lunch at an inexpensive cafe — €4.5.
Thailand
Thailand offers to obtain an LTR (Long-Term Resident) visa, which is suitable for highly qualified professionals and wealthy individuals.
Peculiarities:
- Allows you to move to Thailand together with the family (spouse and children).
- Provides various tax benefits and other privileges.
- It is not a residence permit, but it gives the right to multiple visa-free entry/exit.
Visa validity period: initially issued for 5 years with the possibility of extension for another 5 years, subject to compliance with the requirements.
Requirements:
- They vary depending on the visa category. For the “Work-from-Thailand Professionals” category, which is suitable for nomads, the requirements are as follows:
- The minimum personal income for the last 2 years is at least $80,000 per year (about 2.8 million baht).
- Having a health insurance policy covering a minimum of $50,000 in expenses OR receiving social security benefits in Thailand OR maintaining a bank account with a balance of at least $100,000 for the last 12 months.
- Remote work with a foreign employer/clients in Thailand. There is no provision for obtaining a work permit in Thailand for this category, since work is carried out remotely for a foreign company.
The application can be submitted online through the LTR system with the provision of the necessary documents. Then it will have to be approved by the relevant government agencies (about 20 working days). After approval, a visa is issued at the Thai Embassy/consulate abroad or at the One—stop Shop in Bangkok.
The fee for a 10-year visa is 50,000 baht (about $1,500).
Living in the country: rent of a “one—bedroom apartment” – €200-430, communal apartment — €62, monthly pass — €30, lunch at an inexpensive cafe — €2.5.
Author
Yulia Yanukovych Editor-in-Chief
I am responsible for the work of the editorial office. I write expert interviews and guides.