Golden visa: Your ticket to global living in East Asia — Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Manila: Whether you’re a savvy investor or just looking for a backup plan, a “golden visa” is worth considering.

Where to start? A number of East Asian destinations now offer long-term residency options for a second home.

One pathway: through investments.

Another is via specialised skills, usually for professionals.

These initiatives aim to attract capital, talent, and innovation into the host country.

Competition

Competition is hotting up: While Vietnam offers a five-year “talent visa” and simplified renewal process, Malaysia now offers up to a 20-year golden visa for those who qualify.  

Check the specific country’s program guidelines, below (as per consultancy Henley & Partners and Harvey Law Group):

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

Hong Kong's CIES has been relaunched to attract high-net-worth individuals, as per Harvey Law Group:

• Minimum investment: H$30 million ($3.86 milliom) in permissible assets.

• Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no adverse immigration record, and demonstrate absolute beneficial ownership of the invested assets.

• Residency path: Temporary residency is granted upon approval, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency after seven years.

Malaysia offers two primary residency-by-investment options: 

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

• Financial requirements: Applicants aged below 50 must deposit MYR 300,000 (about $68,000), while those above 50 must deposit MYR 150,000 (approx. $34,000), as per Vardikos.

• Age: Applicants must be at least 35 years old. 

• Residency: 10-year multiple-entry visa, requiring a minimum stay of 90 days per year.
  

Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)

• Investment: Minimum investment of RM 1 million ($240,000).

• Age: No age restrictions.

• Residency: 20-year multiple-entry visa, issued in five-year tranches, with no minimum stay requirement.

Global Investor Programme (GIP)

Singapore's GIP offers permanent residency to eligible global investors:

• Investment Options:

  • Option A: Invest $S10 million (about  $7.78 million) in a new or existing business in Singapore.

  • Option B: Invest S$25 million in a fund approved by the Singapore Economic Development Board.

Thailand Elite Visa

Thailand's Elite Visa programme offers long-term residency options (as per Harvey Law and Golden Visas):

• Membership fee: Starting from THB 650,000 ($19,300) for a 5-year visa.

• Eligibility: Applicants must hold a foreign passport, have no criminal record, and meet other standard immigration requirements.

• Benefits: Includes VIP airport services, government concierge services, and access to exclusive events.

Golden Visa

Vietnam is introducing new visa schemes to attract investors and skilled professionals: 

• Investor visa: Valid for 10 years, offering a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

• Talent visa: Aimed at highly-skilled professionals in rapid growth sectors, valid for 5 years with a simplified renewal process.

• Application process: Expected to be entirely online, with no requirement for embassy appointments.

Residency-by-investment

The Philippines offers several “Golden Visa” options for foreign investors and retirees seeking long-term residency.

Special Investor’s Resident Visa: SIRV grants indefinite residency to foreigners who invest at least $75,000 in Philippine corporations (ideally publicly listed or government-prioritised sectors).

Requirements:

• Age 21+, healthy, and crime-free.

• Family members can join, and there's no minimum stay.

• Initial visa is probationary, it becomes indefinite once the investment is confirmed.

• Benefits: Tax on Philippine income only, duty-free import of goods, and no exit/re-entry hassles.

FAB Investor Visa (FIV)

Launched in 2024, offers permanent residency for a $75,000 investment in Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) projects.

Requirements:

• Open to all nationalities

• Requires no real estate or net worth, includes fast processing.

• Investors can live, work, or study anywhere in the country.

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

Offered to retirees (50+), with deposit-based entry (starting at $10,000 with pension). It includes lifetime stay, work/study rights, and health insurance access. The Philippines also offers other niche investor options and limited Quota Immigrant Visas, as per the Board of Investments and Philippine Retirement Authority.

Each scheme varies in investment, eligibility, and benefits — offering flexible paths to residency in the Philippines.

Each of these programmes has unique features tailored to different profiles. Just keep in mind: most programmes ask you to spend a bit of time there to keep your status.