Philippines: April 2025 launch of the “Remote Worker Visa” (RWV) grants 2-year stay with 4-year renewal, English-first bureaucracy, and a flat 15 % income-based tax.
Thailand: August 2024 “Workcation” permit (extension of the Long-Term Residency) gives 10-year validity but levies the 17 % flat tax and requires ≥ US $80 k income. Both compete directly with Portugal’s D7 and Dubai’s Virtual Working—yet sit in lower-cost, high-scenery ASEAN.
2 | Entry Requirements Head-to-Head
Feature
Philippines RWV
Thailand Workcation
Minimum annual income
US $24 k (documented)
US $80 k last 2 yrs or $40 k + STEM degree
Visa fee (one-time)
US $600
THB 50,000 ≈ US $1,400
Validity
2 yrs, renewable ×2
5 yrs + automatic 5-yr extension
Work allowed
Foreign clients only
Foreign clients only
Tax regime
15 % of Philippine-sourced income; 0 % on offshore
17 % flat on worldwide income
Health-ins. min.
US $35 k
US $50 k
Processing time
30 d
45 d
Family add-on
+US $250 each
free but income must cover
3 | Cost-of-Living & Housing
Item
Cebu City (PHP)
Bangkok (THB)
USD equiv.
1-BR furnished apt, city center
30,000
25,000
$450–550
1 Gbps fiber internet
2,700
700
$15–48
Flat white @ café
150
85
$2.50
Co-working desk, monthly
8,000
4,500
$80–140
Verdict: Bangkok edges Cebu on rental + café costs; Cebu wins on co-working vibe (beachfront, 24/7).
4 | Tax Simulation – $90 k Remote Developer
Scenario
Philippines RWV
Thailand Workcation
Taxable base*
$0 (offshore)
$90 k
Local tax due
$0
17 % → $15,300
Visa & compliance
$600 + $400 legal
$1,400 + $900 legal
Total year-1 cost
$1,000 ≈ 1.1 % eff. tax
$17,600 ≈ 19.6 % eff. tax
*Assumes 100 % foreign-sourced clientele.
5 | Tax Simulation – $40 k Entry-Level Nomad
Scenario
Philippines RWV
Thailand Workcation
Eligible?
✅ (>$24 k)
❌ unless STEM degree
Effective tax
0 %
n/a
Conclusion
Philippines is the only viable option for mid-income nomads.
6 | Immigration & Renewal Pain Points
Philippines
E-travel QR at airports removes exit re-entry stamps.
Annual Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR-I) renewal in person (₱2,800). Thailand
Thailand: Wise multi-currency accepted for income proof; Bangkok Bank ME savings (1.5 % p.a.). Affiliate angle: both Wise & Revolut pay $50 CPA for account opens.
8 | Health Insurance Marketplace
Provider
ASEAN Coverage
Annual Premium (30 y)
Cigna Global Silver
✓
$2,880
SafetyWing Complete
✓
$733
Pacific Cross ASEAN
Regional only
$450
Note: Both visas accept digital policies; upload PDF.
9 | Exit Hurdles & Capital Controls
Philippines: No exit tax; bring ≤ ₱50 k cash.
Thailand: 15 % withholding on bank interest; remittance tax abolished 2024.
10 | Quarterly Update Calendar
Quarter
Watch Item
Q3-2025
PH RWV e-application portal launch
Q4-2025
Thai Workcation income threshold CPI-linked
Q1-2026
ASEAN Digital Nomad mutual-recognition talks
11 | Affiliate & CPM Opportunities
“digital nomad visa Philippines” CPC $5.40, CPM $13+.
Insurance + banking offers lift RPM to $35 with hybrid model.
12 | Takeaways
Sub-$80 k earners: Philippines dominates on tax & barriers.
