Updated 2026

Asia Visa Guide for Expats

Long-stay visas, digital nomad permits and retirement options across 7 key Asian countries — compared and explained.

Choosing the right visa is the single most important step in any relocation. This guide covers the main long-stay options available to Western passport holders in 2026: digital nomad visas, retirement visas, investor permits and standard work authorisations. Costs, eligibility requirements and renewal rules are included for each country.

Quick Comparison: Best Long-Stay Visas in Asia (2026)

Country Best Visa Duration Min. Income / Deposit Work Allowed? Difficulty
TH Thailand LTR Visa 10 years $40,000/yr income Yes (remote) Easy
MY Malaysia MM2H 10 years $150,000 deposit Investor only Moderate
MY Malaysia DE Rantau 12 months $24,000/yr income Yes (remote) Easy
VN Vietnam E-Visa 90 days None No Very Easy
ID Indonesia B211A Nomad Visa 60–180 days Foreign income required Yes (foreign) Easy
PH Philippines SRRV Lifetime $10,000–20,000 deposit Yes (invest) Moderate
TW Taiwan Gold Card 3 years $5,000/mo salary Yes Moderate
KH Cambodia Business E-Visa 1 year (renewable) None Yes Very Easy

Visa Details by Country

TH Thailand

LTR Visa — Best Long-Stay Option

Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is one of Asia’s best expat packages: 10-year renewable visa, work permit included, and a flat 17% income tax for qualifying professionals.

  • Wealthy Global Citizen: $80,000 assets or $40,000/yr income + $100,000 health insurance
  • Work-from-Thailand: $40,000/yr from foreign employer, 5-year employment history
  • Highly Skilled Professional: $80,000/yr salary in target industry
  • Cost: 50,000 THB (~$1,400) one-time fee

MY Malaysia — MM2H

Long-Stay Retirement Visa

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is a 10-year renewable visa for retirees and high-net-worth individuals. Requirements were significantly tightened in 2021.

  • Fixed deposit: RM 500,000 (~$107,000)
  • Monthly income: RM 40,000+ (~$8,500)
  • Liquid assets: RM 1,500,000+ (~$320,000)
  • Must reside in Malaysia minimum 60 days/year

MY Malaysia — DE Rantau

Digital Nomad Visa

The DE Rantau pass is Malaysia’s answer to the digital nomad boom. It’s straightforward, affordable and lets you live and work remotely from Malaysia tax-free.

  • Income: minimum $24,000/year from foreign sources
  • Duration: 12 months, renewable once (up to 24 months)
  • Application fee: $90
  • No Malaysian income tax on foreign income

VN Vietnam

E-Visa (Best Entry Option)

Vietnam doesn’t yet have a dedicated long-stay visa for remote workers or retirees. Most long-term expats chain 90-day e-visas. A dedicated digital nomad visa is expected in 2026.

  • E-Visa: 90 days, single or multiple entry
  • Cost: $25, apply online
  • Business visa: 1–2 years with Vietnamese company sponsor
  • No retirement visa available

ID Bali / Indonesia

B211A Digital Nomad Visa

Indonesia launched its digital nomad visa (B211A) in 2022, allowing remote workers to live in Bali without paying Indonesian income tax on foreign earnings.

  • 60 days, extendable to 180 days in-country
  • Requires foreign-sourced income (proof required)
  • Cost: ~$160
  • Cannot work for Indonesian companies or clients

PH Philippines — SRRV

Lifetime Retirement Visa

The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is one of Asia’s most accessible lifetime residency programs, available from age 35.

  • Age 35–49: $50,000 deposit
  • Age 50+: $20,000 deposit (with pension) or $10,000 (no pension)
  • Lifetime visa, no renewal needed
  • Right to work, invest, import household goods duty-free

TW Taiwan — Gold Card

Professional Work Visa + Residency

Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card combines a work permit, residency visa, and multiple-entry permit in one. Ideal for tech, finance, and creative professionals.

  • Salary: $5,000+/month or demonstrated expertise in target fields
  • Duration: 1–3 years, renewable
  • Tax incentive: 50% of income over NT$3M exempt for first 3 years
  • Cost: ~$100, apply online

KH Cambodia

Business E-Visa (Renewable)

Cambodia offers one of Asia’s most flexible long-stay options: an ordinary E-class business visa that can be renewed indefinitely with no minimum income requirement.

  • E-Visa (tourist): 30 days, $36 online
  • Business visa (type E): 30 days, extendable 1 year for $285
  • No minimum income requirement
  • USD accepted everywhere — no currency hassle

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work on a tourist visa in Asia?

Generally no. Tourist visas do not permit any form of employment or business activity. Remote work in a legal grey area: while many digital nomads work remotely on tourist visas, dedicated digital nomad visas (Thailand LTR, Malaysia DE Rantau, Indonesia B211A) are the correct and compliant solution.

Do I need to pay tax in my Asian host country?

It depends on your visa type and time spent in-country. Most countries apply a 183-day rule: if you spend more than 183 days per year in the country, you may become a tax resident. Several nomad visas (Malaysia DE Rantau, Indonesia B211A) explicitly exempt foreign income from local tax.

Which country has the easiest long-term visa?

Cambodia has the lowest barrier to entry — no minimum income, no deposit, just a $285/year business visa renewal. For quality of life, Thailand’s LTR visa offers the best package for those who qualify ($40,000/yr income).