Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka seek digital nomads’ skills and money

BANGKOK/MUMBAI/MANILA — South and Southeast Asian countries are opening their doors wider to “digital nomads,” offering long-stay visas to a group they hope will in turn strengthen their own economies.

The number of digital nomads — workers not tied to a specific location, often in the technology sector or self-employed — has soared with the rise in remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. They often opt to operate out of popular tourist destinations.