A plain-English overview, not legal advice
Long-stay visa rules vary by nationality and change often. Confirm with the country's official immigration department or embassy before you book travel or sign a lease.
| Country | Main long-stay route | How long |
|---|---|---|
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | Ordinary (E-class) visa + extensions | Months at a time, renewable |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Up to 180 days per entry, 5-year visa |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | DE Rantau Nomad Pass | 3–12 months, renewable once |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | 90-day e-visa | Up to 90 days per visa |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Tourist extensions | Extendable well beyond the first 30 days |
🇰🇭 Cambodia — the simplest long stay
- Getting in: the 30-day e-visa or visa on arrival, plus the free e-Arrival form. Details →
- Tourist (T-class): extendable once, by 30 days — then you must leave.
- Ordinary (E-class): 30 days on entry, then extendable — usually through a visa agent — for months at a time. Extensions come in types such as EB (business/work), ER (retirement) and EG (job-seeking).
Tip: if you may stay more than two months, enter on an E-class — a T-class only extends once. If you'll be working, check the work-permit requirements for your extension type.
🇹🇭 Thailand — the DTV for remote workers
- Visa exemption: since 15 September 2026, 30 days for most Western passports, with one discretionary 30-day extension. The 30-day rule →
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): aimed at remote workers and freelancers — a 5-year, multiple-entry visa allowing up to 180 days per stay (extendable once per entry). The fee is about 10,000 baht and you need to show at least 500,000 baht in funds.
- DTV change from 31 August 2026: you must apply in your country of nationality or permanent residence, with a criminal record certificate — applying at a Thai embassy in a neighbouring country mid-trip no longer works.
- Other routes: tourist visa (TR) applied for in advance, education (ED), Long-Term Resident (LTR) and Privilege visas.
Relying on visa runs instead? Read why that's harder in 2026.
🇲🇾 Malaysia — 90 days visa-free and a nomad pass
- Visa-free: 90 days for UK, US, EU, Australian and Canadian passports. File the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before you arrive.
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass: for remote workers and freelancers — issued for 3–12 months and renewable once — with an income threshold (about US$24,000 a year for tech roles, US$60,000 for other approved roles).
🇻🇳 Vietnam — the 90-day e-visa
- E-visa: up to 90 days, single (US$25) or multiple entry (US$50), open to every nationality. It can't be extended from inside Vietnam. How to apply →
- Visa exemption: 45 days for UK and many European passports — not extendable. Who qualifies →
- Longer term: a Temporary Residence Card through work, investment or family. There's no dedicated nomad visa.
🇵🇭 Philippines — extensions that stack
30 days visa-free on arrival. The first extension takes you to 59 days, and further extensions are possible at the Bureau of Immigration — past 59 days you'll also need an ACR I-Card. Register on eTravel before you fly and carry an onward ticket.
Moving between countries?
Each country counts its own days. Check every stop with our free Southeast Asia trip planner.
Frequently asked questions
Which Southeast Asian country is easiest for a long stay?
Cambodia is usually the simplest: enter on an ordinary (E-class) visa and extend it for months at a time. Thailand's DTV and Malaysia's DE Rantau pass are the main options for remote workers.
Is there a digital nomad visa in Southeast Asia?
Yes — Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass are aimed at remote workers. Vietnam and Cambodia have no dedicated nomad visa.
Can I extend a Vietnam e-visa inside Vietnam?
No — plan to leave before it expires and apply for a new one if you want to come back.
How do I keep track of days across several countries?
Each country counts its own days from your entry date. Our free Southeast Asia trip planner checks each stop against that country's limit.
Sources
Last checked against these sources on 3 November 2026. Entry rules change, sometimes with little notice — confirm on the official site before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules — TAT Newsroom
- Thai e-Visa — Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- The complete guide to Cambodia visas, extensions and work permits — Cambodia Expats Online
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass — MDEC
- Malaysia entry requirements — GOV.UK
- Vietnam entry requirements — GOV.UK
- Philippines entry requirements — GOV.UK