Which Southeast Asian Country Actually Fits You?
Most "best country for digital nomads" lists rank places by vibe. That is not the question you are actually asking. The question is which country will let you stay legally, on the money you make, without burning your savings.
This tool answers that. Enter your remote income and available savings, tell it what matters to you, and it ranks the six main Southeast Asian bases against the visa rules and the real monthly costs. It will also tell you plainly where you do not qualify, which the marketing pages never do.
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Find your match
How the matching works
Three things decide the ranking, and they are applied in that order.
Eligibility first. If a country's long stay visa has an income or funds threshold you do not meet, it drops down the list regardless of how nice it is. There is no point recommending Bali's E33G to someone earning 30,000 a year when the threshold is 60,000.
Affordability second. Your income is compared against the budget, mid range and comfortable monthly costs for each country. A country where your income only covers the budget tier scores lower than one where it covers comfortable.
Your stated priority third. This adjusts the weighting rather than overriding the first two. Choosing cost pushes the cheap bases up. Choosing visa ease favours the countries with clear published routes. Choosing comfort favours the ones with better infrastructure and higher costs to match.
The underlying data
Long stay visa routes
| Country | Route | Length | Threshold | Tax on foreign income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | DTV | 5 yr, 180 days per entry | ~500,000 THB in funds | Generally no on offshore income |
| Malaysia | DE Rantau | Up to 24 months | $24k tech, $60k non-tech | Exempt through 2026 |
| Philippines | DNV (EO 86) | Up to 24 months | ~$24,000 per year | No |
| Indonesia (Bali) | E33G | 1 yr, renewable | $60,000 per year | Generally no |
| Vietnam | None, e-visa only | 90 days per entry | n/a | Depends on length of stay |
| Cambodia | EB extension, work permit required | Extendable to 12 months | No income test, but work permit needed | Depends on stay (182 days) |
Real monthly costs
| Country | Budget | Mid range | Comfortable | Best base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | $600 | $850 | $1,300 | Phnom Penh |
| Vietnam | $700 | $1,000 | $1,600 | HCMC / Da Nang |
| Thailand | $800 | $1,200 | $2,000 | Bangkok / Chiang Mai |
| Philippines | $800 | $1,100 | $1,800 | BGC / Cebu |
| Malaysia | $900 | $1,300 | $2,100 | KL / Penang |
| Indonesia (Bali) | $900 | $1,350 | $2,200 | Ubud / Canggu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Southeast Asian country is easiest to get a long stay visa for?
Malaysia's DE Rantau pass and the Philippines Digital Nomad Visa have the clearest published requirements and the lowest income thresholds, both around 24,000 US dollars per year. Thailand's DTV is assessed on proof of funds rather than income, roughly 500,000 baht, which suits people with savings but lumpy earnings.
How much income do I need to live in Southeast Asia?
Budget living starts around 600 to 900 a month depending on country. Comfortable living runs 1,300 to 2,200. The catch is that visa income thresholds are usually higher than living costs, so the visa is normally what limits you, not the rent.
Do I have to pay local tax on foreign income?
It depends on the country and how long you stay. Thailand generally does not tax offshore income that is not remitted, the Philippines nomad visa does not tax foreign income, Malaysia exempts it through 2026, and Vietnam depends on your length of stay. Residency thresholds, commonly 180 days in a year, are usually what trigger a local tax obligation.
Is this free, and do you store what I enter?
It is free, there is no account, and nothing is stored. The matching runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type leaves your device.