Comparison between Malaysia's Digital Nomad Visa and Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa
Making the right choice when it comes to choosing a digital nomad visa is a crucial decision, as it involves careful consideration of factors such as visa requirements, income requirements, and tax implications. Two popular destinations for digital nomads are Malaysia and Thailand, each offering unique benefits and challenges.
Malaysia's De Rantau Nomad Pass
Introduced in October 2022, Malaysia's De Rantau Nomad Pass is a visa specifically designed for digital nomads working in the digital domain, including digital marketing, IT, software, content creation, and more. This visa is renewable once and lasts for 12 months, with an application fee of $220. The approval process takes around 4 weeks. Notably, Malaysia's digital nomads will be considered tax residents and are not allowed to seek local employment in the country.
Thailand's Long-Term Residence Permit
Thailand's digital nomad visa, known as the Long-Term Residence Permit, was introduced in August 2022. This visa, however, is not renewable and lasts for 10 years. The eligibility categories for this visa include remote workers, retirees, and wealthy individuals. For this article, we will focus on the remote worker category. Thailand's digital nomad visa application fee is $1,370. The application process involves both an online application and an in-person interview. Digital nomads in Thailand enjoy a discounted tax rate of 17%.
Comparing the Two
Both visas have significant differences in their eligibility requirements and benefits. For instance, Malaysia's visa is more straightforward, focusing solely on digital nomads, while Thailand's program caters to a broader range of categories. In terms of duration, Thailand's visa offers a longer validity period, although it is not renewable, while Malaysia's visa is renewable once but has a shorter validity period.
The difficulty of applying for both visas on your own is rated as 6/10 for Malaysia and 8/10 for Thailand. Hiring an immigration lawyer can ease the process.
It's important to note that neither the Malaysia nor Thailand digital nomad visas will lead to permanent residency. However, both countries allow applicants to include a spouse and dependents below the age of 18.
In conclusion, choosing the right digital nomad visa requires careful consideration of various factors. Both Malaysia and Thailand offer unique benefits and challenges, and it's essential to research and understand these differences before making a decision.
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