5 Easy Asia Residence Permits

With established financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong and the enticing lifestyle destinations of Thailand, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, this diverse region is a treasure trove of opportunities for high-net-worth individuals. 

From offshore banking to real estate investment and economic prosperity, the power is rapidly shifting from the West to Asia – its appeal is simply undeniable. 

As the West stagnates and its governments impose ever more restrictive laws on the wealthy, if you want to grow your wealth and diversify your assets, you’ll inevitably be drawn eastwards. 

Many Asian countries understand the importance of a result and have begun to offer second residencies to attract qualifying expats. 

The Nomad Capitalist team has put together this in-depth guide to explore a selection of Asian countries that make getting a residence permit easy for those willing to invest there.

If Asia is where you see your personal or corporate future, get in touch today. We can curate a tailored holistic offshore strategy for you that’ll help you increase your wealth and peace of mind.

Asian Residence – Where to Start

First, you need to set your sights on the Asian country that suits your personal and financial goals. 

Then the most critical part is obtaining a residence visa in your chosen country.

Depending on your native country, the residence permit application process will vary. So, it’s crucial to check each country’s official migration site to get the most complete picture of the necessary immigration requirements.

You must also clearly understand your motivations for immigration. Are you moving for lifestyle reasons? Are you hoping to save taxes, or do you want to simply invest in Asia?

At Nomad Capitalist, we understand the importance of making the right decision at the right time. Therefore, we do our best to ensure that our clients have all the information at their disposal. 

Our research team goes to great lengths to make sure that we have up-to-date, accurate information about all the various second residencies and citizenship programs. 

In fact, we have the world’s largest database of actionable information on tax, residence and citizenship, banking and corporate structures in over 100 countries.

Now, with all this in mind, we recommend you consider three factors before you consider relocating.

What to Consider Before Moving to Asia

We know that moving overseas is a big commitment. 

If you’re looking to get a strong second residency to open opportunities in Asian markets, here are three vital considerations.  

1. Understand Your Goals

It’s vital that you understand what you’re looking for before you apply for a second residence. 

Maybe it’s a new place to live permanently. Maybe it’s a new base for your business. Maybe it’s a destination to add to your trifecta strategy or a residence permit for your belt and suspenders plan.

Whatever the case, having clear intentions will help you find a country and residence permit that matches your needs.

2. Know the Practical Realities 

Some Asian countries don’t require you to be physically present there all year round to keep your residence permit valid. 

They don’t mind if you enter the country once every year, spend a few months or live there permanently. Others may require you to be there for a minimum period of time. 

Some initial planning will go a long way to making sure you choose the ideal country. 

How often do you plan on visiting the country? Are your Asian residencies just a way of enhancing your second residence permit portfolio? Or do you plan to live in Asia for the long run?

If it’s about business development, can you ensure that your business succeeds in the country?

3. Compatibility with  Business and Tax Laws

This is about understanding whether a certain county meets your financial and tax requirements. 

If you’re moving to a tax-friendly country in Asia, you need to ensure that you can avail of the benefits based on how they will affect your global tax position. 

Knowing whether you will trigger tax residence there and what the implications are if you do gets complicated, especially when living a nomadic offshore lifestyle. That’s where our team can help.

Five Easiest Asian Countries to Get Residence

Once you’ve established where you want to go, the next step is to get a residence permit. 

Bear in mind that we’re focused on permanent residence options here. There are other options in Asia for digital nomad visas and visitor visas. 

However, for an official long-term to permanent residence permit, here are five of the best options:

1. Thailand

Thailand is often regarded as the second safe haven country in Asia after Singapore. 

The country offers various pathways to residency, including options for retirees, wealthy investors, skilled workers, entrepreneurs and more. 

You can apply for the Thai residency visa if you have lived in Thailand for a certain amount of time and meet one of these conditions:

• You have possessed a Thai non-immigrant visa (such as a work visa) for at least three years
• You have an ‘Extension of Stay’ due to employment
• You have worked with a company (or have lived in Thailand working on your own business) for a year
• You can show proof of income of at least THB 80,000 (around US$2,400) a month 
• You’ve invested at least THB 3 million in a Thai private or public organisation
• You are a Thai resident’s direct relation (parent, children or partner)
• You have a recognised degree and an employer that expects you to work for three years.

Thailand also offers a Long-Term Resident (LTR) program that allows foreigners to live and work in the country for ten years. 

The Thai government introduced the LTR program to attract wealthy and talented foreign residents into the country to improve its economy.

It’s also important to note that Thailand limits the number of residence permits that can be granted each year. 

Benefits of Thai Residency

Thai residency has the following advantages:

• Unrestricted movement around Thailand
• No need to get a new visa every year
• No need to present a 90-day report 
• Easily buy real estate in Thailand
• Easy Alien Registration Certificate procedure 
• If you have kids during your stay, they will become Thai citizens
• You can work as an executive in a public company
• You can invite your non-Thai relatives and dependents to live with you
• You can apply for Thai citizenship after five years.

2. South Korea

One of the most developed countries in Asia, South Korea offers extraordinary, futuristic city life, an adaptable government-backed retirement network and a steady economy. 

South Korea is also an ideal place for young entrepreneurs looking to expand in Asia,  with the capital, Seoul, in particular, an innovative start-up hub.

With high standards of living and favourable workforce laws, the scale of opportunity in South Korea can easily be compared with that of most advanced Western countries. 

While residency through investment is possible in South Korea, it requires work. The process has specific financial and administrative requirements. 

You can get a Corporate Investment Residence Visa by:

• Investing KRW 100 million (around US$70,000) into your own company. Although KRW 300 million is recommended
• Investing KRW 500 million into a Principal Guaranteed Investment (IISPB) 
• If you’re over 55, the required investment is KRW 300 million, provided you have additional assets of KRW 300 million in Korea or abroad.  

Benefits of a South Korean Corporate Investment Residence Visa

• Provides a route for permanent residence. To do this, you need to get the D8 Foreign Investor Visa, then the F2 Resident Visa and finally the F5 Permanent Visa.
• Universal healthcare and high-quality education for residents
• Investment opportunities in a stable, highly innovative economy
• You can create business opportunities without restrictions
• The chance to live in a highly-developed country
• You can re-enter South Korea without needing a re-admittance card or visa.

3. The United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there are three main strategies to receive a residence visa.

The government has created a system where, depending on your investment, you can obtain residency for a specified period.

The permit options available include:

● For an investment in real estate valued at a minimum of AED 750,000 (approximately US$204,000), you will receive a two-year temporary residence visa. The investment must not be made on a loan basis, and the investor must visit the UAE at least once every six months to maintain residency.

● For a real estate investment of AED 2,000,000 (approximately US$545,000), you could be eligible for a ten-year Golden Visa, provided the property is purchased with a loan from specific approved local banks.

● If you start a company in the UAE, you will be eligible for a two-year renewable visa. Despite the introduction of a 9% corporate tax, some qualifying free zone companies can still achieve  0% corporate tax under specific circumstances. 

Depending on the size and kind of investment you’re willing to make, your residency options will vary. The options include:

● Ten-Year Golden Visa: Available for those who invest at least AED 2,000,000 in public investments or real estate with a qualifying loan.

● Five-Year Retirement Visa: For retirees over 55, meeting one of the following conditions: owning property worth AED 1,000,000, having financial savings of at least AED 1,000,000 or earning a monthly income of at least AED 20,000 (or AED 15,000 for Dubai).

● Two-Year Property Investor Visa: For those purchasing real estate worth at least AED 750,000, with a requirement to visit the UAE at least once every six months.

● Two-Year Company Investor Visa: For those who establish a company in a free zone or offshore jurisdiction.

Employment, family and student visas are also available.

The UAE Residency Process

Before you can apply for a UAE residence visa, you need to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months.

After gathering the necessary documents, you will be called to an application centre to screen your documents.

You will have to go through a clinical examination, and you are required to take your international ID and proof of income (including business contract, asset information and more).

You will get a text message announcing the endorsement of your residency. The Zajil (UAE designated messenger), your public connection official, or you will be required to gather your identification and visit the residence permit office to get your permit.

Benefits of UAE Residency

A UAE residence permit has several benefits:

• Residents pay no taxes on their personal income
• Ability to register for and utilise government healthcare facilities and health insurance
• Being able to open UAE bank accounts, which is not possible if you are not a resident
• Access to a world-class education from several top universities and schools
• Invest and work freely without any restrictions
• Unrestricted movement around the UAE
• Visa-free travel to several countries
• Purchase or rent property (or you can purchase and then put it up for rent)
• Chance to live in one of the safest countries in the world.

4. Bahrain

Manama, the capital of Bahrain, is an interesting choice for those looking for a new place to live or invest. 

As a Middle Eastern country, Bahrain offers a safe and expanding economy, along with a lower cost of living than other Gulf nations.

Like its neighbour, the UAE, Bahrain has fantastic amenities and a beneficial business environment. There are multiple residency options available, and the process can be relatively straightforward, depending on your circumstances.

One of the main ways to gain residency in Bahrain is through forming a company, which takes approximately six weeks. 

If you’re not looking to build a business presence here, another option is Bahrain’s Golden Visa, a renewable ten-year residence permit available to investors, retirees and highly skilled individuals. 

Successful applicants must spend at least 90 days in Bahrain per year and can sponsor immediate family members.

You can obtain the Golden Visa through a few different pathways:

• Retirees earning a minimum pension income of BHD 4,000 (roughly US$10,600)
• Employees or retired residents of Bahrain who have lived in the country for at least five years with an average salary exceeding BHD 2,000 per month
• Property investors who own real estate in Bahrain worth a minimum of BHD 200,000
• Exceptionally talented individuals with significant professional achievements.

The process is quick, typically taking just over a week.

If you’re after an even more exclusive status, Bahrain has introduced Platinum Residency. This is available to individuals who have held a Golden Visa for at least 15 years and meet some extra financial and legal criteria. 

This status grants the ability to purchase property anywhere in Bahrain beyond designated investment areas.

Overall, Bahrain is an interesting option for investors and expats seeking a low-tax environment, a quick residency process and a growing economy. 

The country offers a great mix of modern infrastructure and traditional culture, making it an attractive business and lifestyle destination.

5. Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s bustling capital, is a fantastic option for those looking for a well-developed, modern and affordable Asian city.

Known for its sleek skyscrapers, clean streets and high-quality infrastructure, Kuala Lumpur offers a quality of life comparable to Singapore or Hong Kong — at a fraction of the cost.

Malaysia residence is easier to get than in Singapore and Hong Kong. Although, it’s not cheap.

Malaysia has two main long-term residency options: the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program and the Premium Visa Program (PVIP).

The MM2H visa is ideal for those seeking residence by investment. The options range from five to 20 years, where applicants must make a fixed deposit between US$150,000 and US$1 million, depending on the category. 

A minimum stay of 90 days per year is required, and dependents — including spouses, parents and children — can be included.

For high-net-worth individuals, the PVIP offers a renewable 20-year visa with no minimum stay requirement. Applicants must place RM 1 million (roughly US$210,000) in a fixed deposit account and demonstrate an offshore income of RM 40,000 per month (around US$8,500). 

This visa gives you the freedom to work, conduct business and invest in Malaysia without needing to purchase real estate.

Both programs provide access to Malaysia’s world-class healthcare system and a territorial tax system that only taxes your locally sourced income.

Five Easy Residence Permits in Asia: FAQs

Residence in the Country that Treats You Best

We’ve discussed five Asian countries in this article. 

However, much of Asia is open to foreign investors and entrepreneurs. Countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore are highly competitive and offer fantastic real estate opportunities.

Ironically, while Asia is opening up, Europe is tightening its regulations and shutting down its citizenship-by-investment and Golden Visa programs at record speed.

The main lesson is that you should move to Asia, the European Union or the Caribbean now. 

Otherwise, you risk missing out on one of these programs and the opportunity to go where you’re treated best. 

At Nomad Capitalist, we have a worldwide network of lawyers, estate agents, accountants and tax and company formation specialists. 

All that expertise and real-world experience come together when we create holistic, bespoke action plans for our clients. To start your offshore journey, set up a call with us today.