Indonesia and Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa Requirements: A Comparison

If you're looking to become a digital nomad in Southeast Asia, two countries worth considering are Indonesia and Thailand. Both have recently launched digital nomad visa programs designed to attract remote workers to their countries, and each has its own set of unique requirements. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know:

Indonesia

Indonesia's Second Home Visa program is aimed at attracting individuals who are interested in spending an extended period in the country without becoming part of the local labor force.

Basic Requirements:

• Must have a national passport with a minimum validity of 36 months.
• The applicant is required to have at least Rp 2 billion or equivalent in a bank account owned by a Guarantor or a Foreigner.
• Proof of funds of at least Rp. 2 Billion or equivalent in a bank account owned by a Guarantor or a Foreigner.
• Recent color photograph with white background and dimensions of 4cm x 6cm.

Program Details:

• The cost of the visa program is Rp 3 million.
• The length of the visa program is either 5 or 10 years (awaiting confirmation from authorities).
• The applicant is not allowed to enter the local labor market, but will be allowed to carry out investment and other activities.
• The applicant will need to have a Guarantor or a Foreigner to sponsor their application.

Thailand

Thailand's Long Term Resident Visa Program is designed to encourage foreign nationals to live and work in the country. The visa program is valid for ten years and is renewable.

Basic Requirements:

• The applicant should have a current income of at least US$80,000 or US$40,000 if they have at least a Master's degree, receive Series A funding, or own intellectual property.
• The applicant is required to have at least relevant working experience of five years over the past 10 years.
• Their current employer should either be a public company or a private company with at least three years of operations with revenue for the last 3 years should be at least US$150 Million.
• The applicant should have health insurance with coverage of at least US$50,000 or Social Security Benefits supporting treatment in Thailand or a bank deposit of no less than US$ 100,000.

Program Details:

• The cost of the visa program is THB 50,000 per person for a 10-year visa with multiple entries.
• The government fee for maintaining a Digital Work Permit is THB 3,000 per year.
• The visa will be granted to stay in Thailand for the first time for five years which can be extended for five more years if qualifications are met.
• There are no work limitations, however, the individual needs to be aware of the PE issue for the activity carried on in Thailand for the benefit of foreign entity.
• An annual income of the applicant should not be less than US$80,000 in the past two years.

Conclusion

Indonesia and Thailand are both offering unique digital nomad visa programs that aim to attract remote workers to their countries. While both have their own set of requirements, they are generally designed for those who have the means to support themselves and work independently. Indonesia's program is more flexible in terms of investment activities, but has stricter financial requirements. Meanwhile, Thailand's is less expensive and has a longer validity period, but has higher income requirements. Ultimately, the decision of which program to apply for depends on your heart's desire and financial capacity.