Working online while travelling is the pinnacle of “living the dream” for many professionals that can earn their living with little more than a laptop. And while Thailand used to be the destination of choice, the zeitgeist is choosing a new place to call “home”, find out why, and what you need to know before you pack up and go!
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Longstay Alternatives to Thailand
Thailand has long been the darling of the long-term traveller circuit: stunning beaches, a well-developed tourist sector, and low prices have all made it super-attractive to those planning a sabbatical away from the UK. It has been especially popular among remote workers – i.e. those who only need a laptop and wifi connection to earn a crust.
But remote workers staying in Thailand – alongside general long-term travellers – often struggle to remain in Thailand for more than a few months due to strict visa rules. Additionally, doing “visa runs” into neighbouring countries is often dimly viewed by immigration officials.
Both Cambodia and Vietnam are quick and easy to reach from Thailand. Here’s what you need to know about getting visas and longstay insurance, so you get the most out of your trip.
Please note that if you are 55+ insurance requirements will differ for some visa categories in Cambodia and Vietnam. Retirement visas are available from age 55 in Cambodia, while there is no specific ‘retirement’ visa for Vietnam as yet.
Cambodia
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In terms of visas, for UK citizens, Cambodia is arguably one of the easiest countries on the planet to stay long-term.
Ordinary (E-type) Visa
- Get on arrival (or e-visa).
- Initially valid for 30 days.
- Can be extended inside Cambodia.
- Extensions available for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.
- 6- and 12-month extensions allow multiple entry.
Importantly:
- You don’t need to show large savings.
- Retirement, business, or general stay extensions are often straightforward.
- Less paperwork compared to Thailand. Visa specialists often do it all for you – you simply hand over your passport and fee!
I’m a remote worker/long term traveller: what should I know?
As far as remote workers are concerned, the rules for undertaking such work in Cambodia are not clearly defined, but many people do work while staying in the country long term.
The long-term E-class extensions (especially EB business extensions) are commonly used by: freelancers, remote workers, online teachers, small business owners etc.
For long-term travellers, or those who simply wish to live in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Kampot for a longer period, the visa situation in Cambodia is extremely liberal. It’s often a case of “pay the money, get the visa” (at least for now).
What about longstay travel insurance in Cambodia?
It’s extremely important that you have adequate travel insurance while staying in Cambodia for an extended period (even if it’s not legally required).
Here at Worldwide Insure, our Longstay Travel Insurance policy provides short-term medical coverage of up to 180 days – which is ideal for many remote workers and long term travellers. However, it can also be extended while you’re away if necessary, and if you want to get covered for certain activities, you can add protection as required.
Need even longer term cover? Our Globehopper policy can be taken out for periods of up to three years – and extended while you’re out of your Home Country.
Both Longstay and Globehopper travel insurance policies also cover you for things like missed connections, cancellations, curtailment, lost or stolen baggage – and much more.
What’s medical care like in Cambodia?
Cambodia’s healthcare system is not as well-developed as Thailand’s. Its public care is inexpensive but limited, while private care can be costly. With this in mind, having a suitable long stay insurance policy with medical coverage is critical. Complex procedures may need to be carried out in Thailand or Singapore (which could cost many thousands of dollars without insurance).
Vietnam
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For a UK passport holder, long-term stays in Vietnam are possible but nowhere near as easy or flexible as in Cambodia (and generally more restrictive than Thailand for retirees).
As a UK citizen, you get a free 45-day visa on arrival (visa exemption). You can then apply to get a 90-day visa (single or multiple entry).
I’m a remote worker/long term traveller: what should I know?
If you have remote work – such as online teaching, account management, web development etc., – then in all honesty carrying such work on a 90 day tourist visa is a legally grey area. However, many people do it without issue.
There is currently no ‘digital nomad’ visa for Vietnam.
And if you’re a general long-term traveller, then a 90 day visa can be ideal (assuming you consider 90 days to be “long term”!). However, getting back-to-back 90 day visas may lead to issues (and denial of entry in some cases).
What about longstay travel insurance in Vietnam?
As mentioned, there’s no legal requirement to have travel/health insurance while staying in Vietnam. However, it is highly recommended that adequate travel insurance is taken out.
Worldwide Insure’s Longstay Travel Insurance policy could be the perfect solution: it provides short-term medical coverage of up to 180 days – which is ideally suited to a lot of remote workers and long term travellers.
Better still, it can also be extended while you’re away if required. Add-on cover can be bought for certain higher risk activities like watersports.
If you need longer-term cover, our Globehopper policy can be taken out for periods of up to three years. It can also be extended while you’re out of your Home Country.
Both Longstay and Globehopper policies also cover you for things like cancellations, curtailment, lost or stolen baggage – and much more.
What’s medical care like in Vietnam?
While not up to the high, internationally-comparable standards of Thailand, Vietnam’s healthcare system is rapidly improving. Good private hospitals, widely spoken English in expat clinics, and affordable prices (lower than Thailand), mean you should be able to get the medical attention you need – especially in larger cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, and Da Nang.
But while minor treatments and check ups are cheap, serious operations can cost the equivalent of thousands of pounds (think evacuation or serious surgery).
With this in mind, getting quality long term travel insurance with medical cover is essential.
Bottom line: Medical care cover and much more
Both Cambodia and Vietnam are unique and rewarding countries to stay long term, whether you’re seeing the sights, or getting a bit of remote work done.
But it’s essential you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for medical eventualities/emergencies, as well as things like cancellations, curtailments, lost or stolen baggage and more (all of which might see you return home early without the right travel insurance).
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