For most remote workers, Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) gives the longest stay for the lowest financial bar: a 5-year multiple-entry visa with up to 180 days per entry, based on 500,000 THB in savings rather than a minimum income. Indonesia's E33G and Malaysia's DE Rantau are one-year remote-work permits with income thresholds, and Vietnam has no digital nomad visa, only a 90-day e-visa.
The four countries at a glance
| Thailand: DTV | Indonesia: E33G remote worker visa | Malaysia: DE Rantau Nomad Pass | Vietnam: e-visa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for remote work? | Yes (Workcation track), plus Soft Power courses and medical treatment | Yes, for work for a company outside Indonesia[1] | Yes, for digital freelancers and remote workers[2] | No; a general visitor e-visa |
| Length | Visa valid 5 years; up to 180 days per entry | Up to 1 year, extendable online[1] | 3 to 12 months, renewable once for 12 months (24 months maximum)[2] | Up to 90 days, multiple entry[3] |
| Money test | 500,000 THB in savings for the last 3 months[4] | Income of at least USD 60,000 a year, plus a bank balance of at least USD 2,000 over 3 months[1] | Income of at least USD 24,000 a year (tech roles) or USD 60,000 (non-tech)[2] | None stated for the e-visa |
| Employer or clients | Employer or clients outside Thailand | Employment agreement with a company outside Indonesia[1] | Foreign-based employer, or foreign clients for freelancers[2] | Not a work visa |
| Where you apply | Thai embassy or consulate covering your country of citizenship or legal residence | Online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id[1] | Online through MDEC[2] | Online at evisa.gov.vn |
| Government fee (examples) | Set by each embassy in local currency | Rp7,000,000 for a 1-year stay[1] | RM1,080 processing fee (incl. SST) plus immigration pass fees[2] | Not quoted here |
| Family | Spouse and children under 20 as dependents | See the visa page | Spouse, children under 18, parents[2] | Each person applies |
Figures checked on 3 November 2026.
Thailand: the DTV
The DTV is a 5-year, multiple-entry visa. Each entry allows up to 180 days, and you can leave and come back as often as you like while the visa is valid. For remote work you need:
- 500,000 THB in your own savings, shown on bank statements for the last 3 months[4]
- proof of remote work for an employer or clients outside Thailand
- a certificate of criminal record clearance, for every application from 31 August 2026[5]
- to apply through the Thai embassy or consulate covering your country of citizenship or legal residence[5]
The DTV does not let you work for Thai companies or Thai clients. See our DTV requirements guide.
Indonesia: the E33G remote worker visa
Indonesia's E33G lets you live in Indonesia for up to a year while working for a company established outside Indonesia[1]. The official requirements include:
- income of at least USD 60,000 a year
- a bank statement for the last 3 months showing at least USD 2,000
- an employment agreement with a company outside Indonesia
- a passport valid for at least 6 months, a CV and an itinerary
The listed government fee for a 1-year stay is Rp7,000,000, and the visa must be used to enter within 90 days of issue[1]. Our Indonesia second home vs digital nomad visa page compares it with Indonesia's other long-stay route.
Malaysia: DE Rantau Nomad Pass
Malaysia's DE Rantau pass is run by MDEC, the government's digital economy agency. Its FAQ (version 10.0, 28 August 2026) sets[2]:
- minimum income of USD 24,000 a year for tech roles and USD 60,000 a year for non-tech roles
- a remote employer based outside Malaysia, or foreign clients if you freelance
- health insurance covering Malaysia
- a pass of 3 to 12 months, renewable once for another 12 months
- a non-refundable processing fee of RM1,080 including SST, plus immigration pass fees at endorsement
If you need health cover, Pacific Prime and Genki are Issa Compass partners; check that any policy meets MDEC's requirement before you apply.
Vietnam: the 90-day e-visa
Vietnam has no digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use the e-visa, which is available to all nationalities and allows multiple entries within 90 days[3]. It is a visitor visa, not a remote-work permit. Apply only on evisa.gov.vn. Our Vietnam digital nomad page explains the options.
Which country fits which remote worker?
- Savings but no high income: Thailand's DTV is the only one of the three remote-work visas here that uses a savings test instead of an income minimum.
- Tech worker earning USD 24,000 or more: Malaysia's DE Rantau is open to you; the DTV depends on savings instead of income.
- Earning USD 60,000 or more with a foreign employer: Indonesia's E33G and Malaysia's non-tech threshold come into reach.
- Short stays of up to 90 days: Vietnam's e-visa is simplest, but it does not cover longer stays.
Not sure which Thai visa matches your situation? Try find my visa, or read the best long-stay visa in Southeast Asia for remote workers.
How we help
We file Thailand's DTV, and e-visas for Vietnam and Indonesia, with our service fee and the government fee shown separately. Book a consultation to check which route you qualify for.
Frequently asked questions
Which Southeast Asian country has the easiest digital nomad visa?
It depends on your finances. Thailand's DTV asks for 500,000 THB in savings rather than a minimum income. Malaysia asks for USD 24,000 a year in income for tech roles, and Indonesia's E33G asks for USD 60,000.
Does Vietnam have a digital nomad visa?
No. Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use the e-visa, which allows multiple entries within 90 days.
How long can I stay in Thailand on the DTV?
Up to 180 days per entry. The visa is valid for 5 years and allows multiple entries, so you can leave and re-enter to start a new 180-day stay.
What income do I need for Indonesia's remote worker visa?
At least USD 60,000 a year, plus a bank balance of at least USD 2,000 over the last 3 months, and an employment agreement with a company outside Indonesia.
What income do I need for Malaysia's DE Rantau pass?
At least USD 24,000 a year for tech roles and USD 60,000 a year for non-tech roles, according to MDEC's August 2026 FAQ.
Can I work for local clients on these visas?
Not on the DTV: income must come from outside Thailand. Indonesia's E33G requires a company outside Indonesia. Malaysia's FAQ lets freelancers serve Malaysian clients alongside foreign ones, but remote employees need a foreign employer.
References
- E33G Visa Rumah Kedua Pekerja Jarak Jauh (imigrasi.go.id)
- DE Rantau Pass FAQ, version 10.0, 28 Aug 2026 (mdec.my)
- Viet Nam grants e-visas to all foreign arrivals (vietnamnews.vn), Aug 2023
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) (thaiconsulatela.thaiembassy.org), updated 1 Oct 2026
- Adjustment to Supporting Documents for Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Applications (moscow.thaiembassy.org), 2 Sep 2026
