Best for budget
Thailand
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Thailand vs Japan — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Thailand requires $0/month with 60 months stay, while Japan requires $68,000/year with 6 months stay. Thailand wins on budget.
Budget
Thailand
Long-term
Thailand
Fastest
Thailand
Feature
Thailand
Japan
Minimum Income
$0/month
$68,000/year
Duration
60 months
6 months
Processing Time
2 weeks
3 weeks
Application Fee
$300
$20
Tax Status
Foreign-sourced income is generally not subject to Thai tax if it is not remitted under the applicable rules.
Tax exposure depends on stay length, treaty status, and sourcing rules; shorter stays under 183 days may avoid Japanese tax in treaty-supported cases.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
No
No
Best for long-term
Thailand
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Thailand
Shorter processing windows can make this the better pick for near-term travel timelines.
Next step
Check Thailand eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Japan eligibility for your nationality