With its lower cost of living, fascinating culture that is unlike anything Westerners have grown up exposed to, and world-class city breaks, Asia is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads right now, and it would probably be their go-to spot, were it not for one slight caveat:
Across a majority of Asian countries, complex visa regulations continue to discourage digital nomads from traveling and staying longer, be it Bali’s limited 30-day stay policy or Vietnam’s eVisa system that bars Americans from coming unless they’ve obtained authorization in advance.
Luckily for nomads––and more specifically, those who are U.S. passport holders––there are 5 Asian destinations where they’re welcome not only visa-free but for up to 3 whole months:
South Korea
Famous for its K-pop and dorama rom-com exports, a plethora of ancient palaces, flavorful cuisine, and sprawling metropolises, with Seoul and Busan to name a couple, South Korea is one of the trendiest nomad hotspots in Asia right now.
According to Nomad List, you can live in Seoul for around $2,579 a month––cheaper than the average North American and European city––and with the country’s impressive infrastructure and friendliness towards remote workers, you’ll be in no hurry to leave anytime soon.
Thanks to the visa-free agreement with the United States, American nomads can reside in South Korea for 90 days at a time as long as they enter with a valid Korean Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA), which can be obtained online within minutes and lasts for up to 3 years.
For those ready to apply, you can use the official site here at this link.
Japan
Thanks to the weaker yen, which makes your dollars stretch much further, the significant drop in consumer prices, and increased Transpacific connectivity, Japan has become an increasingly popular destination for nomads country-hopping around Asia.
And while it can be pricey to get there, we have some good news. ZIPAIR just introduced nonstop flights from the U.S. to Tokyo from 4 major cities, and tickets are now on sale here.
Living costs across numerous metropolises is now under $3,000, including tried-and-true nomad faves like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and if you’re keen on lingering a while longer and assimilating into the local culture, you’ll be thrilled to learn you can:
Nomads can stay three full months in Japan without applying for a visa beforehand, so long as they fulfill two simple criteria: they must carry a valid biometric U.S. passport and not have been sentenced to one year or more of jail back home.
Taiwan
Taiwan is an independently governed island best known for its vibrant Taipei, where you’ll find night markets and street food galore, dramatic nature, with forested hills occupying over half of its landmass, and, most importantly, Western-leaning policies.
Unlike mainland China, Taipei has upheld democratic values, and Taiwan as a whole is very pro-U.S. This makes it an exciting place to be as an American with a passion for all things China who’s not exactly keen on forfeiting the comforts of living in a freer society.
That’s all nomads who venture into Asia want, essentially, and lucky for U.S. citizens looking to find a temporary home in Taiwan, local authorities grant them a 90-day stay without any sort of pre-entry clearance––all that’s required is presenting a regular passport.
On a day you aren’t cozied up in a coffee shop getting some work done, be sure to explore outside Tapei!
We recommend Northern Taiwan, as it’s mind-blowingly gorgeous. To make it seamless, you can always take a tour like this one.
You’ll have a private day trip from Taipei exploring Northern Taiwan, marveling at the unique rock formations of Yehliu Geopark, and strolling through the historic streets of Jiufen, an inspiration for famous animated films like ‘Spirited Away’.
You’ll wrap up your day by releasing a sky lantern in Pingxi (pictured above), a tradition carrying wishes into the night sky.
Malaysia
Said to be one of the best-developed nations in Southeast Asia, Malaysia occupies a large portion of the lush Malay Peninsula, as well as parts of the island of Borneo, and Muslim-majority state with a surprising openness towards long-term guests:
Owing to its higher standards of living, multicultural scene, and a plethora of laptop-friendly cafés, Kuala Lumpur has become one of the continent’s most prominent digital nomad hotspots, especially when it costs under $1,350 a month to call it home, as noted by Nomad List.
Regarding visa policies, Malaysia is at complete odds with its neighbor and sibling nation Singapore, where the length of a tourist visa is capped at a restrictive 30 days: landing in Kuala Lumpur, Americans get issued a 3-month entry stamp.
Thailand
We’ve saved the best for last.
With established nomad hubs like Bangkok and Chiang Mai to its name, a whopping 1,956 miles of combined, pristine coastline, not to mention the hundreds of paradisiacal islands––does Phuket ring a bell?––Thailand is a safe haven of the sorts for digital nomads in Asia.
Occupying the top two positions on Nomad List‘s ranking of Best Places to Live in the continent, with Bangkok going as far as leading the global chart, it offers affordable month-long stays from as cheap as $1,012, and, most importantly, relaxed visa regulations.
In case you aren’t aware, Thailand has recently eased its tourist visa rules further: previously, Americans could remain in the national territory visa-free for 30 days, in line with a majority of Asian destinations, but as of May 2024, 60 days have been added.
In effect, tourists get issued an automatic 60-day visa, which can be extended for 30 days prior to expiration, at the discretion of immigration officers––this means digital nomads can now settle temporarily in Thailand for 3 months visa-free if they don’t wish to pursue a long-term residence.
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