Digital Nomad Visa in Asian Countries

If you work remotely and love to travel around Asia, it's now more possible than ever to combine business with pleasure. The key to this balance is applying for 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, similar documents are already issued for remote workers and freelancers on almost all continents — read our large article, where we have collected all the countries in the world that currently issue a digital nomad visa.

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 as a legal entity.
• You can move with your family.
• It is impossible to obtain a residence permit.

Validity: 1 year, extendable for 2 years.

Requirements: 

• You must be a citizen of one of these countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, or the Russian Federation.
• Areas 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 the visa here. 

The application review period is 3 working days. 

Visa cost: free.

Life in the country: rent of a one-room apartment: €300–400, utilities: €27, monthly pass: €7, lunch in an inexpensive café: €5.

Malaysia

Malaysia has launched a new visa program, DE Rantau Nomad Pass, designed specifically for digital nomads. 

Peculiarities: You can come to the country with family members — spouse/partner, children under 18 years of age, and disabled children without any age limit. 

Validity: from 3 to 12 months, with the possibility of extension for another 12 months; thus, the maximum period of stay is 24 months.

Requirements: 

• Annual income of at least $24,000.
• Confirmation of work as a freelancer (contracts, invoices) or remote employee (employment contract).
• The passport is valid for more than 14 months at the time of application.
• Also required is either a sponsor (an organization in Malaysia) or a deposit with MDEC as a security deposit.

You can apply online.

Visa cost: for the main applicant, 1080 ringgit (about 250 US dollars); for each additional applicant, 540 ringgits. Plus an immigration fee of RM90 every 3 months, or RM360 per year.

Processing time: Initial review of the application takes 6–8 weeks, and issuance of a visa sticker after approval takes 1 week; visa extensions are processed within 4 weeks.

The cost of living in the country: rent of a one-room apartment: €220-300, utilities: €40, monthly pass: €10, lunch in an inexpensive café: €2.50.

UAE

The UAE issues a visa for self-employed persons (the so-called “Green Visa”).

Validity: 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) in annual income for the last 2 years.

The application can be submitted online or at the Amer migration service within the country.

Visa cost and other fees:  The visa fee is 200 dirhams (about $55) plus VAT 5%. When staying in the UAE, an additional fee for being in the country (500 dirhams) and several minor fees are paid.

Life in the country: rent of a one-room apartment: €1100–1600, utilities: €160, monthly pass: €73, lunch in an inexpensive café: €8.

They also issue a talent visa in Dubai, which we have already written about in detail.

Taiwan

The 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.
• With it, you can look for a job, work part-time, and change employers.
• Provides tax benefits and an accelerated path to permanent residence.
• Entitles you to health insurance without a six-month waiting period.

Validity: from 1 year to 3 years, with the possibility of extension.

Requirements:

• Meet the criteria of a highly qualified specialist in your field (science, technology, economics, culture, sports, education, architecture, digital technology, and so on).
• Confirm professional qualifications, experience, and achievements in the chosen field of activity.
• There is no requirement to have an employer/sponsor in Taiwan in advance.

Applications can be submitted online on the program website.

Processing time: 30 days, in some cases up to 50–60 days.

Visa cost: from $100 to $310 — everything will depend on citizenship and visa period.

Life in the country: rent of a one-room apartment: €300–400, utilities: €75, monthly pass: €35, lunch in an inexpensive café: €4.5.

Thailand

Thailand offers an LTR (Long-Term Resident) visa, which is suitable for highly qualified specialists and wealthy individuals.

Peculiarities:

• It allows you to move to Thailand with your family (spouse and children).
• Provides various tax breaks and other privileges.
• It is not a residence permit but gives the right to multiple visa-free entry/exit.

Validity: initially issued for 5 years, with the possibility of renewal for a further 5 years if requirements are met.

Requirements:

Vary depending on the visa category. For the “Work-from-Thailand Professionals” category, which is suitable for nomads, the requirements are as follows:

• Minimum personal income for the last 2 years has been at least $80,000 per year (about 2.8 million baht).
• Having a health insurance policy that covers 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 in the last 12 months.
• Remote work with a foreign employer/clients in Thailand. For this category, it is not possible to obtain a work permit in Thailand because work is carried out remotely for a foreign company.

Submitting an application is possible online through the LTR system with the provision of the necessary documents. Then you will have to undergo approval 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).

Life in the country: rent of a one-room apartment: €200–430, utilities: €62, monthly pass: €30, lunch in an inexpensive café: €2.5.