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Asia is one of the most in-demand continents for digital nomads worldwide.
Not only is it inherently fascinating and has enormous cultural wealth that will certainly appeal to Westerners, but it is also, for the most part, much more welcoming to foreigners and incredibly cheap to live in.
If you don’t quite fit in with Dubai’s multi-million entrepreneurial team, and European visa rules are far too complicated to navigate, then the Far East is the ideal destination. perfect home base to work and at the same time enjoy a higher quality of life – and spend much less on it.
On that note, here are 4 amazing Asian countries where both The cost of living can average $2,000 or lessand easy to apply Digital Nomad Visas are wide available:
Philippines
An archipelago nation in Southeast Asia embraced by blue-green colored seasthe Philippines is an emerging nomadic destination that offers affordable options for long-term accommodation, cheap food, and good weather most of the year (minus the monsoon season).
Some of the busiest work locations include Manila, a vibrant capital that combines Spanish colonial forts and modern skyscrapers, Cebu City, where you’re as likely to find European-inspired Baroque cathedrals as Taoist temples, and the tropical island of Palawan.
Based on Numbeo estimate it costs approx $869 per month to live rent-free in the Philippines, with particularly low prices for food and transportation: if you eat out at the Central Market in Manila, you can find a range of Filipino delicacies from just $3.57.
What are the requirements for the Philippine Digital Nomad Visa?
Normally, foreigners can only be in the Philippines visa-free for a maximum of 30 days, but as reported by Visa guidenomads are eligible for a fairly generous two-year stay by applying for the Philippine Digital Nomad Visa.
In principle, they must meet a certain income requirement, currently estimated amount to more than $24,000providing a clean criminal record, as well as proof of involvement in remote work, and health insurance covering the stay for two years is also required.
The best part is that nomads in the Philippines are considered non-tax residents, meaning they live in the country, but because they are not employed by a Philippines-based company and thus not involved in local business activities, they are not subject to local income tax.
Thailand
Next up is Thailand, affectionately known as the Land of Smiles, with the bustling national capital Bangkok, Chiang Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed temple-filled city, and beachside Phuket Island, all of which are popular places to work .
Of those, Bangkok is the definitive winnerthanks to its thriving expat scene, plethora of laptop-friendly eateries, legendary nightlife – probably the best in all of Asia – and, most importantly, remarkable value.
The cost of living in Bangkok is typically $1,290, if you eat local and your Airbnb rental is a one-bedroom apartment in a residential area, and while prices on the islands may rise slightly, Thailand as a whole remains budget-friendly.
What are the requirements for the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa?
The Thai Digital Nomad Visa is quite simple, although it may not be suitable for middle-income workers: you must hold a passport that is currently valid for at least six months and your annual income must exceed $80,000.
It’s not like moving to Thailand as a nomad is a piece of cake compared to the two-month visa-free stay as a tourist, but if you have the money for it, it’s doable, and once you’re approved, can you stay there for the country up to 15 years!
There is another attractive advantage: instead of the 35% tax rate that applies to regular residents, nomads receive a large discount, only pay 17% taxand in some cases they may qualify for tax exemption if their income comes from abroad.
Japan
Japan, the American’s darling in Asia, is best known for its sprawling urban centers, breathtaking nature, millennia-old rituals and delectable cuisine, and despite are not so cheap Like the other entries on this list, it has become extremely popular among digital nomads recently.
Whether it’s a neon-lit Tokyo, pagoda-dominated Kyoto or an electric Osaka, there are co-working spaces in abundanceand if you’re not the expensive type, there are plenty of cheap eats at restaurants that cost as little as $6.95, not to mention monthly rentals that start from $626.66.
General, Numbeo reports it costs an estimate of $1,641 – $2,215 to live in a big city on a budget – that’s certainly on the pricier side for Asia, but we don’t know a single nomadic American who wouldn’t be happy living in dreamy Japan on less than $3,000 a month.
What are the requirements for the Japanese Digital Nomad Visa?
As an American citizen you can already enter Japan visa-free up to 3 monthsand there are no known restrictions on performing work remotely from the country, as long as your source of income is not based in Japan and your primary reason for traveling is tourism.
That said, you can opt for the just-launched Japan Digital Nomad Visa, which will get you a six-month stay – double that of the tourist visa – and believe it or not, the financial threshold for eligibility is lower than Thailand!
Apart from the usual documentation and background checks such as health insurance, a clean criminal record and proof of online jobyou need to earn at least 10 million Japanese yen annually (don’t worry, that translates to a reasonable $69,666 as of October 2024).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
