In recent years the ASEAN region has become one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads and digital entrepreneurs. Due to stable internet, low costs and an attractive lifestyle, many remote workers stayed for extended periods in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. For years, this was made possible by flexible visa policies that tolerated visa runs.
This situation has now fundamentally changed. Governments across the region increasingly view digital nomads not as occasional visitors but as individuals who effectively live and work in the country. As a result, related policies are shifting from tolerance to strict regulation. Proper documentation, tax clarity and appropriate formal structures are now more important than ever.
Thailand sets the tone: A strict visa regime
Thailand, long a favourite destination for digital nomads, has recently implemented several significant measures. Where it was previously possible to enter and exit the country frequently on tourist visas, that practice is now being actively restricted. Travellers who return often are increasingly subjected to critical border checks and, in many cases, denied entry.
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Extending tourist visas has also become less straightforward. Officials now examine applications more rigorously, paying close attention to travel patterns, prior stays, and indications that someone may be working from within Thailand. With these measures, Thailand makes clear that remote work on a tourist visa is no longer tolerated.
A broader movement across Southeast Asia
Thailand’s policy shift is not an isolated case. More ASEAN countries are restricting long-term stays on tourist visas and are using data-sharing mechanisms to monitor travel patterns and work-related activities. The grey area in which digital nomads operated for years is disappearing.
Governments are choosing clarity: those who are tourists must act as tourists. Those who work must do so under the appropriate legal and fiscal conditions.
New visa options with different requirements
Alongside these stricter rules, new visa categories specifically designed for remote workers are emerging. Thailand introduced the Destination Thailand Visa, while Malaysia expanded its DE Rantau programme.
These visas offer longer stays and greater stability, but are only granted when applicants can demonstrate professional activity and comply with strict requirements regarding income, documentation and regulatory adherence. These programmes are intended to formally integrate digital nomads into the economy, but only when their activities are properly documented and traceable.
Employed Digital Nomads vs. Digital Entrepreneurs
The changes affect different groups in different ways:
Employed Digital Nomads
For remote employees under contract with a company outside ASEAN, digital nomad visas are usually the most suitable solution. These visas are designed for individuals who do not conduct local labour and remain fully outside the national labour system. They must demonstrate stable income, hold international insurance and clearly identify their employer.
Digital entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs and freelancers fall into a completely different category. They generate revenue, sign contracts and bear economic responsibility. Immigration authorities do not consider them tourists but business operators active in or from the country.
For this group, establishing a formal business structure has become essential. A company provides legitimacy, makes business activities transparent and forms a solid basis for long-term passes, business visas, and regulatory compliance. Without such a structure, operating in ASEAN becomes uncertain and highly risky.
Business incorporation now crucial for entrepreneurs
For digital entrepreneurs, setting up a legal entity is no longer optional. It is a requirement for sustainable residency. A company not only provides legitimacy but also has access to banking and government services. It formalises remote business activity, making it traceable and reliable for both immigration and tax authorities.
Conclusion
Stricter visa rules in Thailand and other ASEAN countries mark the end of an era in which digital nomads could operate on the basis of flexibility and informal arrangements. The region remains attractive, but only for those who organise their stay professionally, transparently, and legally.
Employed digital nomads require appropriate nomad visas. Digital entrepreneurs must establish a formal business structure for their activities. Those who manage this effectively can still live and work in Southeast Asia long-term, secure and compliant.
GNS provides tailored solutions for this new reality. GNS supports digital nomads and entrepreneurs with international company formation, tax planning and compliance, enabling them to build a solid, legal and professional foundation for sustainable living and entrepreneurship in ASEAN.
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