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Asia Pacific · Residency

Asia Pacific Programmes, an Overview

The Asia Pacific region offers a spread of investor and long stay routes, from permanent residence in Singapore to renewable visas in Thailand and Malaysia. This page orients you to the main options and the official bodies behind them, current as of June 2026.

Reference
Official authorityMultiple national authorities, named in each section
Information current as ofJune 2026

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

Written by Fredrik Filipsson and reviewed by Morten Andersen of the Passports for Kings editorial team. Last reviewed 11 June 2026.
Programmes across this region change often. Several routes have been revised or paused in recent years. Treat every figure as indicative and confirm the current position with the relevant national authority.

How to read this region

Asia Pacific routes vary widely in what they offer. Some lead toward permanent residence, others grant renewable long stay visas tied to investment or income, and a few are membership style residence programmes. Outcomes, costs and conditions differ sharply between countries, so compare on the basis of what you actually want, whether that is relocation, a base for business, schooling for children, or long term family security.

Because rules here move quickly, the most useful habit is to start from the official authority for each programme and check the live requirements before you plan around any number you read elsewhere.

Routes that lead toward permanent residence

Singapore runs the Global Investor Programme through the Singapore Economic Development Board, aimed at established business owners and investors and structured around permanent residence. New Zealand offers the Active Investor Plus visa through Immigration New Zealand, an investment based route. These programmes tend to apply rigorous checks on the source of funds, so prepare clean documentation early. Confirm current thresholds and conditions with each authority.

Renewable long stay and investor visas

Hong Kong reopened the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, administered with InvestHK and the Immigration Department, as an investment based residence route. Thailand offers the Long Term Resident visa through the Board of Investment, alongside the membership based Thailand Privilege residence programme. Malaysia runs Malaysia My Second Home, a renewable long stay route administered through its government. Each has its own qualifying criteria, so verify the live rules with the relevant authority.

Routes that have narrowed

Not every door is open. Australia has wound back its investor visa offering in recent years, with key business and investor streams closed to new applicants. Where a route is closed or paused, do not plan around older figures. We publish the position plainly so you can redirect your search to programmes that are actually accepting applications.

Choosing well in this region

Match the route to your goal first, then to your budget and timeline. Ask what permanent outcome, if any, the route leads to, what physical presence it requires, how it treats family members, and how stable the rules have been. Read the official authority for the binding detail. If you want a steer, we can introduce you to vetted, independent advisers through Get Matched. We do not name or rank firms.

Common questions

Which Asia Pacific programme is best?

There is no single best route. The right choice depends on whether you want permanent residence, a renewable long stay base, schooling access or business flexibility, and on your budget and timeline. Compare against your own goal and confirm details with each official authority.

Do these routes lead to citizenship?

Some lead toward permanent residence and a longer path to naturalisation, while others are renewable visas without a direct citizenship outcome. Check the specific route with its national authority, since the answer differs by country.

Why do you flag so many programmes as changed?

Investment migration rules in this region are revised frequently and some have been paused. Flagging this protects you from planning around figures that are no longer current. Always verify with the official authority before acting.

Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

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The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.

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50 programmes7 regions15 nationalitiesEvery fact dated and sourced to the official authority

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Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.

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