Want To Call Asia Home? These 12 Countries Offer Residency if You’re Ready To Invest
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Residency by investment in Asia is a great option if you want to live, work, or explore some of the most exciting countries in the world. Many Asian countries offer programs where you can gain residency by making an investment, like buying property or starting a business.
From the modern cities of Singapore to the warm culture of Malaysia and the luxurious lifestyle in the UAE, each country has something special to offer. Here are 12 countries in Asia where you can get residency by investment and start a new adventure.
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Cambodia
Cambodia released its residency via financial contribution program in 2022, making it one of the latest Asian countries to do so. The country’s Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) program allows foreigners to live in Cambodia on a Golden Visa for ten years. In return, the visa holder must invest a minimum of $100,000 in real estate.
It’s worth noting that the CM2H is the only official government program approved by the Ministry of Interior and General Department of Immigration of the Kingdom of Cambodia. One key benefit of the CM2H program is that holders can apply for a Cambodian passport after only five years. Furthermore, the US Dollar is widely used across the country.
Read also: Places That Will Pay You To Relocate
Malaysia
Like Cambodia, Malaysia offers a My Second Home program that provides individuals with residency in Asia through investment. However, unlike the Cambodia program, the Malaysia My Second Home scheme allows you to obtain residency by maintaining a fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank. As of 2024, the minimum deposit is RM150,000 ($33,570) for over-50s and RM300,000 ($67,150) for under-50s.
Applicants must also provide a clean health bill and purchase health insurance. Once successful, applicants are granted 10 years of residency. Subject to immigration conditions, this residency can be renewed every 10 years.
Less than $40,000 for permanent residency in Malaysia is an excellent deal.
Read also: Best Countries for Expats To Live In
Indonesia
The Indonesia Golden Visa allows investors to live in dreamy destinations like Bali in return for financial investment. Better yet, after three years of living in Indonesia, the Golden Visa can be converted into permanent residence. The investment can be expensive, but the rewards far outweigh the costs.
For example, imagine living by the beach in Bali and exploring vast rainforest landscapes. Sounds perfect. There are five types of Indonesian Golden Visa to choose from, all with varying costs.
Individual investors must set up a company worth at least $2.5 million or invest $350,000 in Indonesian Government Bonds. Meanwhile, corporate investors must establish a company worth at least $25 million. Residency permits are available for five and ten-year periods.
Read also: Countries With Inexpensive Residency Programs
South Korea
South Korea is one of the most fascinating countries in Asia, and it offers capital-based residency. The South Korean Immigrant Investor Scheme allows individuals to live freely in South Korea with their families. If the investor maintains their investment for five years, they can obtain permanent residence in South Korea.
The minimum investment to obtain residency in South Korea is 300 million KRW ($215,100) for retired investors over 55 and 500 million KRW ($359,000) for those under 55. In addition to the investment, retired investors and their spouses should also have assets of 300 million KRW ($215,100) or more at home or abroad. Applicants must also have a clean criminal record.
Read also: Least Favorable Countries for Expats
Singapore
Singapore offers a residency by investor program for experienced and wealthy business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start a business and live in the country. This program, called the Singapore Global Investor Program, grants permanent resident status in Singapore to eligible global investors. Brilliantly, the minimum investment required to obtain residency is only SGD 10 million ($7,460).
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However, applicants must also be currently running a company that turns over at least SGD 200 million ($149,100) yearly. An initial investment of less than $160,000 to live and work in Singapore is reasonable. It’s also worth noting that you’ll be eligible for Singaporean citizenship after two years.
Read also: Best Locations for Quality Living
Turkey
Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment Program allows foreign nationals to obtain a Turkish passport in return for investment in real estate. While this is an easy way to obtain citizenship for another country, you must be prepared to invest a lot of money.
The minimum investment required to obtain residency successfully is $400,000. Once you’ve invested in Turkish real estate, you must declare that you won’t sell your property within three years.
Real estate investments aren’t the only way to obtain residency by investing in Turkey. You can also invest in fixed capital contributions and government bonds or deposit in a Turkish bank account. However, these forms of investment require a minimum investment of $500,000.
Read also: Where To Live on a $1,000 Monthly Budget
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) is highly sought-after by business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs. Through the CIES program, wealthy individuals and people with assets can obtain permanent residency in Hong Kong, a nation with many benefits. For starters, you’ll have access to one of the world’s most significant financial and trading centers.
Furthermore, you can expect a stable currency, a favorable taxation system, and an excellent communication infrastructure. However, to obtain residency in Hong Kong through investment, you must be prepared to invest serious cash. The minimum investment is a whopping HKD 30 million ($3,855,000). On the plus side, you can apply for permanent residence after seven years.
Read also: Best Locations To Call Home for Less Than $2,500
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most attractive business destinations in Asia that offers an investment-based residency scheme. Its strategic location allows the UAE to serve as a gateway to Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. You can obtain residency in the UAE by investing in the country through the Golden Visa program.
Various investment options are available, but investing in property or an investment fund is the most popular. In both instances, the minimum investment required to obtain residency is AED 2 million, approximately $550,000.
Golden Visas obtained are valid for ten years and can be extended upon expiry. Applicants must provide proof of medical insurance during the application process.
Read also: Best Areas To Live on a Budget of $2,000
Bahrain
Bahrain is another Asian country that offers residency by financial means. Like the UAE, Bahrain also offers a Golden Visa program. To obtain a residence permit in Bahrain through investment, the applicant must own one or more properties in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
These properties must have a total value of at least BD 200,000 ($531,000). Applicants must also pay an application fee and residency issuance fee of BD 304 ($800). Honestly, if you can invest over $500,000 in Bahrain, we’re sure $800 won’t hurt.
One of the main perks of the Bahrain Golden Visa is how fast you can get one. The processing time of your residence permit is only 10 days. Meanwhile, the visa is valid for 10 years.
Read also: Top Bucket List Destinations in Southeast Asia
Vietnam
Vietnam doesn’t have a golden visa program, but it does have a residency through capital investment visa. The Vietnam Investor Visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in Vietnam for up to five years. Currently, four types of investor visas are available: DT1, DT2, DT3, and DT4.
Although these visas only offer Vietnam residency for up to five years, you can use the Vietnam Resident Card to increase your stay to 10 years. It’s worth noting that the investor visa guarantees residency for the applicant’s family.
The minimum investment required for an investor visa is VND 3 billion ($118,000). Meanwhile, the largest minimum investment is VND 100 billion ($3,934,000).
Read also: Budget Beaches to Call Home in Southeast Asia
Sri Lanka
The coolest-sounding residency by investment program in Asia is the Sri Lanka Golden Paradise Visa. If that doesn’t entice potential investors, we don’t know what will. The Golden Paradise Visa is a long-term resident visa program that offers investors residency in Sri Lanka in return for investment.
Investors dreaming of sunny skies, pristine beaches, and memorable wildlife-watching experiences must open a Golden Paradise Foreign Currency Account (GPFCA). Then, they must deposit at least $200,000 in a local bank licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
The Golden Paradise Visa grants residency in Sri Lanka for 10 years. Applicants must also pay a $2,000 visa fee.
Read also: Southeast Asia Locations for Remote Workers
Thailand
Thailand is one of the most exciting countries in Asia, and it offers an investment-driven residency program. However, you’ll need a large budget to make the move. Individuals who want to live in Thailand must obtain a permanent residency visa.
The Thai permanent residency visa requires applicants to invest a minimum of ฿10 million ($289,000) in Thailand. A Thai commercial bank must evidence the applicant’s investment. Moving to Thailand may cost a lot, but the benefits are worth it.
For starters, you’ll be free to live and work in one of the world’s most beautiful countries. Secondly, there are no requirements to apply for an extension.
Read also: Gain Residency by Investing in These Countries
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