How to Move to Southeast Asia as a Remote Worker: The Full Checklist

Tools to use: Fast.com and Speedtest.net. You need a minimum of 50 Mbps download for stable video calls. 100 Mbps or above is comfortable for heavy async work and file transfers.

In the Philippines, PLDT and Globe are the two major fiber providers. Coverage and reliability vary significantly by building and neighborhood. Always ask the landlord or building admin which provider services the unit and what the actual speeds are — not the package speed but the real-world speed.

In Thailand, True Move and AIS both offer reliable fiber in urban areas. Chiang Mai and Bangkok have excellent internet infrastructure. Smaller towns and beach areas do not.

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Health Insurance

Do not arrive in Southeast Asia without health insurance. Emergency medical care in private hospitals in the Philippines and Thailand is good quality but not cheap. A serious emergency without coverage can cost $10,000 to $50,000 USD.

Options for remote workers:

• SafetyWing Nomad Insurance: The most commonly used entry-level plan for digital nomads. Covers emergency medical and evacuation. Starts at around $45 per month for under-40s. Does not cover pre-existing conditions.
• Cigna Global: More comprehensive coverage including routine care, dental, and prescription. Starts at around $150 to $300 per month depending on coverage level and age.
• IMG Global: Strong option for longer-term expats, good coverage in Southeast Asia specifically.

To understand how your income holds up across SEA cities once you factor in health insurance and other fixed costs, use the Geo-Arbitrage Income Calculator — it builds the full monthly budget picture so you know your numbers before you commit.

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Tax Obligations

This is the area most remote workers underestimate. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Moving to Southeast Asia does not eliminate your US tax obligation.

Key rules to understand:

• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): If you meet the bona fide residence test or physical presence test, you can exclude up to $126,500 (2024 limit, adjusted annually) of foreign earned income from US taxes. This applies to employees and self-employed individuals.
• Foreign Tax Credit: If you pay tax in your country of residence, you can credit it against your US tax liability to avoid double taxation.
• FBAR and FATCA: If your foreign bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR. FATCA reporting thresholds are higher but still apply to significant foreign holdings.

Consult a US expat tax specialist — not a general CPA — before your first full tax year abroad. The setup cost is worth it. Mistakes in this area are expensive to correct. For the full breakdown of how banking and taxes work together, read Banking, Taxes, and Money for US Remote Workers Living Abroad.

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The Full Pre-Departure Checklist

Visas and legal:

• Confirm visa requirements for your target country and nationality
• Check employer or client contract for geographic restrictions
• Research long-stay visa options if planning to stay over 6 months

Banking and money:

• Open Charles Schwab checking account
• Set up Wise multi-currency account
• Notify existing US bank of international travel
• Set up a VPN with a US IP for accessing US financial services abroad

Health:

• Purchase international health insurance before departure
• Get any required or recommended vaccinations
• Carry 3 to 6 months of any prescription medications — local availability varies

Housing:

• Book 2 to 4 weeks of temporary accommodation only
• Research target neighborhoods before arrival
• Do not sign any long-term lease before visiting in person

Work setup:

• Test your work setup on a travel laptop or confirm your primary laptop is travel-ready
• Purchase a portable hotspot or international SIM plan as backup internet
• Confirm time zone overlap with your team or clients and adjust your schedule accordingly

Tax and legal:

• Consult a US expat tax specialist
• Understand FEIE eligibility requirements
• Set up FBAR tracking from day one if opening foreign bank accounts

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Summary

Moving to Southeast Asia as a remote worker is logistically straightforward if you prepare in sequence: visa first, banking second, housing third, health insurance fourth, tax fourth. The mistakes that cost people the most — expensive housing they never should have committed to, medical bills they are not covered for, tax penalties from not filing correctly — all come from skipping preparation and assuming it will work out on the ground.

It works out far better when you arrive with the infrastructure already in place.

To understand exactly how your income translates into purchasing power in Southeast Asia before you make the move, use the Geo-Arbitrage Income Calculator — it maps your USD earnings against real cost of living across SEA cities so you know your numbers before you go.

For more on the geo-arbitrage strategy behind the move, visit the Geo-Arbitrage hub.

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References

• Philippine Bureau of Immigration. (2026). Visa and Entry Requirements. Immigration.gov.ph.
• Thailand Board of Investment. (2026). Long-Term Resident Visa Program. BOI.go.th.
• IRS. (2025). Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. IRS.gov.
• SafetyWing. (2026). Nomad Insurance Coverage and Pricing. SafetyWing.com.
• Numbeo. (2026). Cost of Living by City. Numbeo.com.