Southeast Asia offers investors a wide range of visa programs, from affordable permanent residency to prestigious paths to citizenship. Find out which investment visas are available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Cambodia, what investment amounts are required, whether these programs offer PMP or citizenship, and which country is best for relocating business or life

Southeast Asia is gradually becoming one of the most competitive regions in the world for investors seeking alternative residency or citizenship. It offers both premium programs with high entry thresholds and relatively affordable solutions that allow you to quickly obtain residency.

From Singapore’s Global Investment Program with multi-million dollar requirements to Philippine schemes with a threshold of $75,000, the region offers a wide range of formats, each with its own advantages and limitations.

In this article, we compare the key investment visas in Southeast Asia, explain the financial requirements, prospects for permanent residence and the feasibility of obtaining citizenship.

Doing business is always associated with risks: taxes, contracts, inspections, conflicts with partners or government agencies. A personal business lawyer will help you avoid critical mistakes and protect the interests of the company at every stage of its development.

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Singapore: The Most Expensive and Prestigious Option

Singapore’s Global Investor Programme (GIP) remains the benchmark in the region in terms of prestige. It has been in operation since 2004 and grants applicants immediate permanent resident status upon approval.

The basic investment threshold is SGD 10 million (approximately USD 7.8 million) in a new or existing business in Singapore. Alternative options include:

- SGD 25 million – investment in the GIP-select fund;

- SGD 200 million in assets under management to create a family office, of which at least SGD 50 million must be invested in qualifying local assets.

Physical presence is minimal – it is enough to be in the country for one day per year. After two years of permanent residence, the investor can apply for citizenship, but the decision remains discretionary, and Singapore does not recognize dual citizenship. The standard processing time for an application is around six months.

Hong Kong: Residency in a financial hub without a real path to a passport

Hong Kong has revived the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) to attract wealthy foreigners. The minimum investment is HKD 30 million (approximately US$ 3.85 million). Of this amount:

- HKD 3 million is directed to a special government investment portfolio;

- HKD 27 million is directed to permitted assets, including shares, debt instruments and collective investment schemes.

Investment in real estate is permitted with significant restrictions: only a part of the value of the object can be counted towards the investment threshold.

The right to permanent residence appears after seven years of continuous residence. Formally, citizenship is possible, but in practice this path is used extremely rarely, since Hong Kong residents have Chinese citizenship, and naturalization of foreigners is an exception.

Thailand: Focus on long-term living, not immigration

Thailand offers investors two different formats, neither of which leads to citizenship.

- The Thailand Privileged Visa (formerly Thailand Elite) is a long-term residence permit for 5 to 20 years. The cost starts from about $18,000-25,000 for basic packages and goes up to $140,000 for a 20-year option.

- The Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) is an alternative for 10 years. For the “global high net worth” category, the minimum investment is $500,000 in government bonds, business or real estate. Retirees over the age of 50 must invest at least $250,000 and prove passive income.

Neither program requires permanent residency or a passport.

Malaysia: Multi-tiered Residency System

Malaysia offers investors several long-term residency formats.

- The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program has three main levels – silver, gold and platinum – as well as a separate category for special economic zones. All options involve placing a fixed deposit in a Malaysian bank, part of which can be used to purchase real estate, education or medical expenses.

- There is a separate Premium Visa Programme (PViP), which grants a residence permit for a period of 20 years. It requires a confirmed income from abroad and a deposit of 1 million MYR.

None of the programs guarantee citizenship. Theoretically, naturalization is possible after a long period of physical residence and passing a language exam, while Malaysia does not recognize dual citizenship.

Indonesia: A Golden Visa with No Immigration Prospects

The Indonesian Golden Visa, launched in 2023, is aimed at temporary capital investment. Individuals can obtain:

- a five-year visa for investments of $350,000 or more;

- a ten-year visa for investments of $700,000 or more.

The program does not provide for permanent residency or citizenship and is considered only as a long-term temporary residence.

Philippines: The most affordable permanent residency

The Philippines stands out in the region by offering immediate permanent residency.

The Foreign Investor Visa (FIV) requires a deposit of $75,000 or more and is issued in about a week. The alternative, the Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV), has similar terms and allows for permanent residency upon completion of the investment.

Both programs open the way to citizenship after 10 years of residence, subject to integration and knowledge of the official language.

Vietnam: Active business investment only

Vietnam’s investment visa system (DT1–DT4) requires active participation in business. Thresholds start at around $120,000 and can exceed $4 million depending on the category.

After three years of temporary residence, permanent status can be obtained, and after a few more years, citizenship, subject to language proficiency and renunciation of another passport.

Cambodia: Fastest citizenship in the region

Cambodia remains the only country in Southeast Asia that offers direct citizenship by investment.

Investors can either obtain citizenship within a few months through donation or investment, or first obtain long-term residency followed by naturalization. At the same time, the Cambodian passport has limited visa-free mobility and is usually of interest to those who have business interests directly in the country.

Which program to choose?

Choosing an investment visa in Asia depends on the budget, terms and ultimate goal:

- Singapore – for those who are focused on prestige and a strong passport;

- Philippines – the best option for a quick and affordable PMP;

- Malaysia and Thailand – for long-term comfortable residence;

- Cambodia – for those who need quick citizenship without a focus on mobility.

Program conditions may change without notice, so working with specialized migration specialists significantly increases the chances of successful approval of the application.

Investments, opening a company in another country, remote launch of a representative office or team relocation require a clear legal strategy. A personal business lawyer accompanies the entire process: from choosing a jurisdiction and tax model to visa processing and asset protection.

Engage a personal business lawyer and ensure safe relocation and development of your company abroad!

Reminder! Are you planning to invest in real estate under the Golden Visa program? We have already told you which programs in 2025 have become the most profitable for investors. The article compares the UAE, Greece, Turkey, Latvia and Asian countries, the real return on real estate and key risks that should be considered before investing.

Photo – Freepik

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