Indonesia vs Thailand: digital nomad visa
On the income bar, Thailand is the more accessible of the two: its requirement is No income floor; THB 500,000 bank balance (~USD 13,700), versus USD 60,000/year (~USD 5,000/mo) for Indonesia. Indonesia's E33G Remote Worker Visa (KITAS) runs for Up to 1 year (renewable (commonly cited as extendable to ~2 years total); exact max not on the official faq); Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) runs for 5-year visa; 180 days per entry, extendable once by 180 days; multiple-entry (5-year multiple-entry visa; each entry resets the 180-day stay (not a renew model)). Tax, fees and family rules differ — see the table below, and verify both on the official sources before deciding.
Data as of June 2026.
Indonesia vs Thailand side by side
| Item | Indonesia | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | USD 60,000/year (~USD 5,000/mo) | No income floor; THB 500,000 bank balance (~USD 13,700) |
| Approx USD/month | $5,000/mo | No income requirement |
| Duration | Up to 1 year | 5-year visa; 180 days per entry, extendable once by 180 days; multiple-entry |
| Renewable | Renewable (commonly cited as extendable to ~2 years total); exact max not on the official FAQ | 5-year multiple-entry visa; each entry resets the 180-day stay (not a renew model) |
| Government fee | IDR 7,000,000 (~USD 430-460) | THB 10,000 per person (varies by embassy) |
| Tax for nomads | Tax residency generally triggers after 183 days; treatment of E33G foreign income has been debated (verify with DGT) | No special DTV regime. 180+ days in a calendar year = tax resident; foreign income taxed only when remitted in a resident year. Progressive 0-35%. |
| Family / dependents | N/A. Dependent provision not specified on the official FAQ. | Yes (legal spouse + children under 20 as dependents); each pays the visa fee; no separate per-dependent income |
| Processing | Typically a few weeks (varies) | Varies by embassy; commonly ~2-4 weeks |
Sources: Indonesia official page and Thailand official page. Figures change — verify before applying.
Verdict
Neither visa is strictly "better" — it depends on what you optimise for. If the income threshold is your constraint, Thailand wins on that single axis. But weigh the full picture: how long you can stay and renew, the all-in cost, the tax treatment of your foreign income, and whether your family can come. Read the full profiles for Indonesia and Thailand, and use the eligibility checker to see every country you qualify for.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Indonesia or Thailand digital nomad visa easier to qualify for on income?
On the income threshold, Thailand is the more accessible of the two: No income floor; THB 500,000 bank balance (~USD 13,700), versus USD 60,000/year (~USD 5,000/mo) for Indonesia. Income is only one factor — duration, documents and tax also matter.
How long can I stay on each visa, Indonesia vs Thailand?
Indonesia: Up to 1 year (renewable (commonly cited as extendable to ~2 years total); exact max not on the official faq). Thailand: 5-year visa; 180 days per entry, extendable once by 180 days; multiple-entry (5-year multiple-entry visa; each entry resets the 180-day stay (not a renew model)).
Do nomads pay less tax in Indonesia or Thailand?
Indonesia: Tax residency generally triggers after 183 days; treatment of E33G foreign income has been debated (verify with DGT). Thailand: No special DTV regime. 180+ days in a calendar year = tax resident; foreign income taxed only when remitted in a resident year. Progressive 0-35%. This is general information, not tax advice — your actual liability depends on tax residency, where your income arises and your home-country rules. Verify with each country's tax authority.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20