The Best Asian Countries for American Expats

Asia offers some of the best opportunities in the world for high-net-worth American expats looking to lower their taxes, grow their wealth or just enjoy a better quality of life. 

It’s also an incredibly diverse place, loaded with possibilities. Maybe you’re interested in tropical beaches, high-tech megacities or tax-free business hubs. Whatever the case, Asia has it in abundance. 

With so much on offer, the trick is knowing where will best serve your interests – it’s what we call ‘going where you’re treated best’. 

Not every country is tax-friendly. Not every passport is worth the wait. Some places welcome foreign investors, while others make it difficult to get residency. 

If you’re serious about planting an Asian flag, you need a strategy that aligns with your goals – we can help.

 So, let’s break down the best Asian countries for high-net-worth Americans. 

Asia for Expats: Pros and Cons

Finding the right country as an expat is about matching your goals with a place that makes sense for your lifestyle, finances and long-term plans.

Pros of Moving to Asia

With that in mind, the benefits on offer in Asia include:

Residency and citizenship: Some countries, like Malaysia and Thailand, offer easy long-term residence visas, while Singapore and South Korea provide clear paths to permanent residency. However, if you want a second passport in Asia, the options are limited. 

Taxes: A major appeal of moving abroad is taking advantage of lower taxes. Some places, like Hong Kong and Malaysia, have territorial tax systems, so your foreign income will be left alone. Others, like Thailand, have grey areas you need to plan around. Singapore is business-friendly with low corporate tax, while the Philippines taxes the worldwide income of its citizens.

Lifestyle: Do you want a fast-paced city with strong business opportunities? Or would you rather live where it’s more relaxed and affordable? Asia has everything from high-tech urban centres to tropical islands. 

Affordability: There are plenty of places in Asia where you can live well on a budget, while others come with premium price tags. However, higher costs often mean better infrastructure, safety and convenience. It all depends on what you’re willing to pay for.

Cons of Moving to Asia

Every coin has two sides, so it’s not all plain sailing and, with Asia, some of the negatives include:

• Pollution and overcrowding can be an issue in bigger cities
• Natural disasters and escalating climate change
• Wide-scale poverty  
• Political instability in certain parts of the region
• Standards of healthcare vary widely. 

Best Asian Countries for Americans to Move To

While the best country in Asia depends on your priorities, here are our top options for high-net-worth US expats looking to move east.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, American expats can enjoy a sophisticated living without breaking the bank. 

Kuala Lumpur gives you sleek skyscrapers, luxury shopping and world-class dining at a fraction of what you’d pay in Singapore or Hong Kong. The country is safe, English is widely spoken, and the tropical climate means year-round sunshine.

Malaysia has a lot going for it. Its territorial tax system means you won’t pay tax on foreign income, and there’s no capital gains tax on investments outside Malaysia. 

If you do business locally, corporate tax is competitive, and there are no Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules to worry about. The banking system is stable, and if you park enough money in a local bank, you can qualify for premium banking services.

For residency, Malaysia offers the MM2H and Premium Visa programs. Both of these allow long-term stays with minimal hassle. 

The MM2H program is ideal if you want to live there part-time while keeping your global lifestyle options intact. The Premium Visa, with its 20-year validity and no minimum stay requirement, is even better for those who want residence without being tied down.

Citizenship is tough to get, but if you play the long game, it’s possible. Malaysia’s passport is strong, offering visa-free access to over 116 countries. While it doesn’t allow dual citizenship, it could be a strategic option if you’re looking to eventually renounce your high-tax US citizenship.

Singapore

Singapore is the gold standard for expats who want efficiency, safety and world-class infrastructure. It’s not cheap, but if you can afford it, it’s worth every cent.

Singapore is clean, modern and business-friendly, with English as the main language. You get all the comforts of the West here but with a low-tax, pro-investment environment.

For business, Singapore is a good option. Corporate tax is capped at 17%, but with incentives, it’s possible to pay less. There’s no capital gains tax, no estate tax and no dividend tax on foreign income. 

It’s a solid base for global entrepreneurs who want to park wealth in a stable jurisdiction with top-tier banking.

Residency is possible through the Employment Pass or Entrepreneur Pass, but if you have serious capital, the Global Investor Program fast-tracks you to permanent residency. 

Citizenship takes time. Usually, you need to have two years as a permanent resident before applying. 

Singapore’s passport is one of the best in the world. The only catch? No dual citizenship.

Thailand

If you want an affordable, exciting lifestyle, then Thailand is one of the best places in Asia.

The cost of living is seriously low, the food is incredible and the country has everything from tropical shores to sprawling cities. 

Bangkok is its fast-paced capital, while Chiang Mai and Phuket offer relaxed living with strong expat communities. There are also the smaller islands if you want to fully escape.

Thailand is also tax-friendly. Foreign income is only taxed if remitted in the same tax year, which makes it easy to structure your finances efficiently. 

There are no capital gains taxes on foreign investments, and corporate tax incentives are available for businesses in key industries. 

There are plenty of residency options available. These include the Thailand Privilege Card, which grants long-term stays, and the Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa for high earners, retirees and professionals. 

South Korea

South Korea can be an attractive environment for US expats. Here, you’ll find world-class infrastructure, excellent healthcare and one of the safest environments in Asia. 

Seoul is a global business hub, while cities like Busan and Jeju are more relaxed. The cost of living is higher than in Southeast Asia but reasonable compared to American cities.

For taxes, South Korea is a mixed bag. The country taxes worldwide income for residents but offers tax incentives for startups and foreign investors. There’s no formal territorial tax system, but structuring your finances properly can still lead to tax efficiencies. 

Residency is possible through investment, a qualifying real estate purchase or business visas, with a clear path to permanent residency. Citizenship is an option after five years.

While South Korea doesn’t allow dual citizenship for most, its passport is strong, with visa-free access to the EU, and most of South America and an electronic visa option for the US.

Taiwan

Taiwan is one of Asia’s most underrated destinations for expats, with a lower cost of living than Singapore and Hong Kong.

Taipei is the go-to city, but other areas like Taichung and Kaohsiung offer even lower prices. The tech sector is booming, making Taiwan a solid choice for entrepreneurs and remote workers.

Taxes are reasonable, with territorial taxation in place for new residents. This means foreign income isn’t taxed if it’s not remitted. 

Banking is stable and residency is straightforward via investment or business. 

Permanent residency is possible after five years and citizenship is an option, though Taiwan requires you to renounce your existing passport. 

The Philippines

The Philippines is one of the easiest places for Americans to settle in Asia.  

English is widely spoken, the cost of living is low, and the country offers a laid-back lifestyle with warm weather and stunning beaches. 

Metro Manila is the business hub, while Cebu and Davao are less frenetic and have strong expat communities.

From a tax perspective, resident foreigners only pay tax on Philippine-sourced income. There’s no capital gains tax on overseas investments, and corporate taxes are manageable with the right structure. 

Residency is easy to get through the Special Investor Resident Visa (SIRV) or the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), both offering long-term stays without strict physical presence requirements. 

Citizenship is possible after ten years – or five if you invest, marry a local or contribute to the economy.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong remains one of the best places in Asia for expats who want low taxes, world-class banking and a high standard of living. 

It’s an ultra-modern island state with easy access to China, strong Western influences and one of the most business-friendly environments in the world.

With its territorial tax system, you only pay tax on income earned in Hong Kong. There’s no capital gains tax, no dividend tax and no estate tax. 

Setting up a company there is fast and the banking system is dependable. Overall, it’s a great base for international entrepreneurs.

You can get residency in Hong Kong through employment, by operating a business or making an investment. Once settled, there’s a clear path to permanent residence after seven years. 

While citizenship is off the table, a Hong Kong permanent identity card gives you many of the same rights as locals.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) 

Over 80% of Dubai’s population are expats, and generally, the country is a top choice for those who want low to no taxes.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are modern cities. They offer excellent business opportunities, luxury lifestyles and strong expat communities. English is widely spoken and the country is one of the safest in the world.

From a tax perspective, the UAE is hard to beat. There’s no personal income tax, no capital gains tax and no estate tax. A 9% corporate tax does exist, but this is still really low compared to the US. Plus, under certain conditions, free zone businesses can remain tax-exempt. 

Banking here is also excellent and the country has a strong financial system.

Residency is relatively easy through property investment or forming a company, with both leading to long-term visas. The UAE Golden Visa program provides up to 10 years of residency for high earners and investors. 

Moving to Asia from America: FAQs

Planning to Move to Asia?

Americans are looking to Asia in increasing numbers. While the US continues to charge its citizens high taxes and impose more limitations on their freedom, Asia is moving in the opposite direction. 

Choosing the best Asian country to move to comes down to your priorities. Whether you want to unlock lower taxes, dive into a thriving startup scene or simply live somewhere with great food and culture, Asia has it all. 

Each country has its pros and cons, and the best fit depends on your unique needs, so planning is essential. 

That’s where we come in.  

At Nomad Capitalist, we help high-net-worth investors and entrepreneurs go where they’re treated best. Through strategic offshore planning, we can help you settle in the best Asian country to match your business, lifestyle and financial goals. Get in touch to get started.