A long-term stay in Southeast Asia can come with a very different price tag. For some, a high monthly salary is enough. For others, it takes millions of dollars in investment, a property purchase, or a specific professional profile.
Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia all offer pathways for foreigners to stay for years at a time, but they are built for different purposes. Some prioritize high-skilled professionals, while others focus on investors, retirees, or people looking for a second home.
1. Singapore
Singapore separates its long-term pathways between high-earning talent and investors. The ONE Pass is designed for established professionals and exceptional talent, while the Global Investor Programme (GIP) provides a route toward Permanent Resident status for high-net-worth investors.
What makes it attractive
- ONE Pass is valid for five years and can be renewed.
- Applicants can qualify through high income or exceptional achievements in sports, arts and culture, academia, or research.
- GIP offers a pathway toward Permanent Resident (PR) status.
- GIP provides several investment options, starting at S$10 million for a new or expanding business in Singapore.
What to consider
- The financial threshold is high. The income-based ONE Pass route requires a fixed salary of at least S$30,000 per month.
- GIP is aimed at investors with substantial financial capacity. One eligible profile, for example, requires an established business with at least S$200 million in annual turnover.
- GIP is an investment route to PR rather than a standard long-term work pass, so its requirements are more extensive.
Best suited for: high-income professionals, global talent, and high-net-worth investors.
2. Thailand
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa takes a broader approach. Instead of focusing on one type of foreign resident, it has four categories covering wealthy individuals, retirees, professionals working from Thailand, and highly skilled professionals.
What makes it attractive
- The visa can be valid for up to 10 years, through an initial five-year period that can be extended.
- Four categories allow applicants to qualify through different financial or professional profiles.
- The professional categories accommodate both people working remotely from Thailand and highly skilled workers.
- Some professional applicants can qualify with annual income of at least US$80,000, or US$40,000 with additional qualifications.
What to consider
- Financial and professional requirements remain relatively high.
- Wealthy Global Citizens need at least US$1 million in assets and a minimum US$500,000 investment in Thailand.
- All categories require either at least US$50,000 in health insurance or US$100,000 in bank deposits for 12 months.
- Requirements vary significantly between the four categories.
Best suited for: wealthy individuals, retirees, remote professionals, and highly skilled workers.
3. Indonesia
Indonesia’s Golden Visa combines several types of long-term residency under one framework. Its five categories cover individual and corporate investors, second-home residents, global talent, and world figures, making it less dependent on a single applicant profile.
What makes it attractive
- The Golden Visa can provide residence for up to 10 years.
- There are five categories covering investors, second-home residents, global talent, and prominent individuals.
- Individual investors establishing a company can qualify with US$2.5 million for five years or US$5 million for 10 years.
- The investment threshold starts lower for individuals who do not establish a company, at US$350,000 for five years.
What to consider
- The investment requirement for establishing a company remains substantial.
- Investment amount and duration are closely linked.
- Compared with Thailand’s LTR, the scheme is more centered on investment and specific categories rather than a general long-term route for professionals.
As of May 21, 2026, Indonesia had issued 1,274 Golden Visas, representing a total investment value of Rp52.1 trillion.
Best suited for: investors, second-home seekers, global talent, and high-profile individuals.
4. Malaysia
Malaysia offers two major long-term residence programmes with different approaches: Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is structured around long-term residence and property ownership, while the Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) targets investors, entrepreneurs, and foreign talent who want to live, work, or study in Malaysia.
What makes it attractive
- MM2H offers several tiers with validity ranging from five to 20 years.
- The Silver category starts with a US$150,000 fixed deposit and a property purchase of at least RM600,000.
- PVIP allows residence for up to 20 years and permits holders to live, work, or study in Malaysia.
- PVIP has no age limit and no minimum-stay requirement.
What to consider
- MM2H requires both a fixed deposit and property purchase, with higher thresholds for Gold and Platinum tiers.
- MM2H participants below 50 must spend 90 cumulative days per year in Malaysia.
- PVIP requires monthly income of at least RM40,000, a RM1 million fixed deposit, and a RM200,000 participation fee.
- PVIP applications must be submitted through an immigration-appointed agent.
Best suited for: retirees, second-home seekers, investors, entrepreneurs, and foreign talent.
