Digital Nomads in Asia: Cities, Internet & Visas
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Compare ↓Internet, monthly cost and the visa that fits.
Cities Compared
| City | Internet (fixed, median) | Month, solo | Time zone | Long-stay route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai | Thailand ~274 Mbps | $900–1,400 | UTC+7 | DTV |
| Da Nang | Vietnam ~289 Mbps | $800–1,400 | UTC+7 | 90-day e-visa |
| Bali (Canggu, Ubud) | Indonesia ~45 Mbps; fibre in the main areas | $1,200–2,100 | UTC+8 | E33G |
| Penang | Malaysia ~166 Mbps | $850–1,300 | UTC+8 | DE Rantau |
| Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia ~166 Mbps | $1,000–1,700 | UTC+8 | DE Rantau |
| Taipei | Taiwan ~280 Mbps | $1,450–1,900 | UTC+8 | Nomad visitor visa |
| Manila · Cebu | Philippines ~107 Mbps | $950–1,600 (Manila) | UTC+8 | Visa-free + extensions |
| Tokyo | Fibre; top providers 300+ Mbps | $2,500–3,100 | UTC+9 | Digital nomad visa |
Checked November 2026. Internet: Ookla national medians for fixed broadband, February–May 2026 (city speeds vary by building). Monthly cost: 2026 estimates for one person with a furnished rental, coworking and local food. Los Angeles is 15–17 hours behind these cities in winter.
Visas for Remote Workers
| Country | Visa | Stay | Money test | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 5 years, multiple entry; 180 days per entry + one 180-day extension (āļŋ1,900) | āļŋ500,000 in savings | āļŋ10,000 |
| Malaysia | DE Rantau Nomad Pass | 3–12 months, renewable; 24 months at most; Peninsular Malaysia & Labuan | US$24,000/yr (tech) · US$60,000/yr (non-tech) | RM1,080 |
| Indonesia | Remote worker visa (E33G) | 1 year | About US$60,000/yr, paid from abroad | Check the official portal |
| Taiwan | Digital nomad visitor visa | Up to 6 months per visa; check BOCA for renewals | US$40,000/yr (30+) · US$20,000 (age 20–29) + US$10,000 average balance | — |
| Japan | Digital nomad (Designated Activities) | 6 months | ÂĨ10 million/yr | — |
| Vietnam | No nomad visa — e-visa | 90 days | — | US$25 single · US$50 multiple |
| Philippines | Digital nomad visa (approved April 2025) | Not yet open to applicants (late 2026) | — | — |
Since 31 August 2026 DTV applications go to the Thai embassy or consulate for your nationality or home country, and need a police certificate.
- Taiwan and Japan: visa-exempt passports only.
- A tourist stamp is not a work permit. None of these visas allows work for a local employer.
- Rules change often — confirm on the official site before you apply.
Work Setup
- Data: a local SIM or eSIM as backup for power or Wi-Fi cuts. eSIM prices by country
- Coworking: day passes are the easy start; Bali day passes run IDR 150,000–250,000.
- Wet season: storms bring power and internet cuts — keep a power bank and offline files.
- More nomad guides: Bangkok · Kyoto · Siem Reap