Asia is one of the most in-demand continents for digital nomads globally.
Not only is it inherently fascinating, boasting an immense cultural wealth certain to appeal to Westerners, but it is also, for the most part, far more welcoming towards foreigners and incredibly cheap to live in.
If you don’t exactly fit in with the multi-million Dubai entrepreneurial crew, and Europe’s visa rules are far too complex to navigate, the Far Orient is the perfect home base for working while enjoying a higher quality of life––and spending far less on it.
On that note, here are 4 amazing Asian countries where both living costs can average $2,000 or under, and easy-to-apply Digital Nomad Visas are widely available:
Philippines
An archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia hugged by teal-colored seas, the Philippines is an up-and-coming nomad haven offering affordable options for long-term accommodation, inexpensive food, and great weather for most of the year (minus monsoon season).
Some of its busiest workcation hubs include Manila, a vibrant capital combining Spanish colonial forts and modern skyscrapers, Cebu City, where you’re as likely to find European-inspired Baroque cathedrals as you are Taoist temples, and tropical island getaway Palawan.
Based on Numbeo estimates, it costs roughly $869 per month to live in the Philippines with rent, with particularly-low prices observed for food and transportation: eating out in the Central Market in Manila, you can find a range of Filipino delicacies from only $3.57.
What Are The Requirements For The Philippines Digital Nomad Visa?
Normally, foreigners can only be in the Philippines for up to 30 days visa-free, but as reported by VisaGuide, nomads are eligible to stay for a rather-generous 2 years by applying for the Philippines Digital Nomad Visa.
Essentially, they must meet a certain income requirement, currently estimated to be over $24,000, provide a clean criminal record as well as proof of engagement in remote work, and health insurance covering the 2-year stay is also required.
The best part is nomads in the Philippines are considered non-tax residents, meaning they live in the country, but as they are not employed by a Philippines-based business, and thus not involved in local business activities, they aren’t subject to local income tax.
Thailand
Up next is Thailand, affectionately called The Land of Smiles, with bustling national capital Bangkok, Chiang Mai, a UNESCO-listed, temple-dotted city, and a beach-fringed Phuket Island, with all ranking as popular workcation spots.
Out of those, Bangkok is the definitive winner, owing it to its thriving expat scene, abundance of laptop-friendly eateries, legendary nightlife––probably the best anywhere in Asia––and most importantly, remarkable inexpensiveness.
Living costs will typically total $1,290 in Bangkok, if you’re eating local and your Airbnb rental is a 1-bedroom apartment in a residential zone, and though prices can increase slightly on the islands, Thailand as a whole remains budget-friendly.
What Are The Requirements For The Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa is pretty straight-forward, though it may not be suitable for middle-income workers: you must hold a passport currently valid for at least 6 months still and your annual income must mount up to over $80,000.
It’s not like relocating to Thailand as a nomad is exactly a breeze, compared to the 2-month visa-free stay as a tourist, but if you have the money for it, it’s entirely doable, and once approved, you may then remain in the country for up to 15 years!
There is yet another appealing benefit: instead of the 35% tax rate applicable to regular residents, nomads are granted a major discount, paying only 17% in taxes, and in some cases, they could be eligible for tax exemption if their income originates from overseas.
Japan
The darling of American in Asia, Japan is best-known for its sprawling urban centers, stunning nature, millennia-old rites and delectable cuisine, and despite not being as cheap as the other entries on this list, it’s been surging in popularity with digital nomads lately.
Whether it’s a neon-lit Tokyo, pagoda-dominated Kyoto, or an electric Osaka, there are co-working spaces galore, and if you’re not the splurging type, there are plenty of cheap eats in restaurants costing from as little as $6.95, not to mention monthly rental starts from $626.66.
Overall, Numbeo reports it costs an approximated $1,641 – $2,215 to live on a budget in a major city––that’s definitely on the pricier end for Asia, but we don’t know a single nomadic American who wouldn’t be happy living in dreamy Japan on under $3,000 a month.
What Are The Requirements For The Japan Digital Nomad Visa?
As an American citizen, you can already enter Japan visa-free for up to 3 months, and there are no known restrictions on carrying out remote work from within the country, so long as your source of income isn’t Japan-based and your primary reason for traveling is tourism.
That being said, you may opt for the just-launched Japan Digital Nomad Visa, granting you a 6-month stay––double the tourist visa––and believe it or not, the financial threshold for eligibility is lower than Thailand’s!
Other than the usual documentation and background checks, like health insurance, a clean criminal record and proof of online job, you must earn a minimum 10 million Japanese yen annually (don’t worry, that translates into a reasonable $69,666 as of October 2024).
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