NovAsia

Long-stay options, organised by basis and duration

Long-stay visas in Asia

Prepared by NovAsia Editorial

Choose the country, then test the legal basis you can actually support, the duration and the status you need.

Find my route
In short

This hub helps you find a realistic route for staying in Asia legally for the longer term, based on country, purpose and intended length of stay. It is designed for remote workers, retirees, families and other long-stay residents.

Long-term stay options make more sense when you start with your circumstances rather than a visa name. A remote worker, locally employed professional, business owner, retiree and family member may need completely different routes, even in the same country. This hub helps you sort Asian visas and residence options around that practical starting point.

Follow the decision map to reach the country guides and long-stay routes that fit your case, including remote-work visa options where relevant. Immigration rules can change, so always check the current requirements for your destination and circumstances; this is general information, not individual immigration or legal advice.

Practical situations after moving — from address notification to banking, renting and daily life — are collected in the Life in Thailand: practical blog.

Country first, legal basis second

Five focused questions remove categories that do not fit your circumstances.

Which country is your main long-stay base?

Available visas and residence paths are country-specific.

What is the basis for your long stay?

This is the key filter: the route must match what you actually do and can document.

How long do you expect to stay?

Repeated short stays, multi-year visas and permanent status solve different problems.

What type of status are you aiming for?

A visa, residence status and PR/citizenship have different eligibility rules.

How strong is the documentary proof for your basis?

A suitable category can still fail if the required evidence is unavailable.

Visa rules change. This is general orientation, not personalised immigration or legal advice. Confirm current requirements, your qualifying basis and documents for the specific country and date with an appropriate professional.

Asia visas

Thailand DTV visaThe DTV pillar and readiness checkThailand digital nomad visaHow the DTV works for remote work and workcationDTV requirements and how to applyDocuments, basis and application budgetDTV for freelancersWork evidence, documents and financial proofDTV: soft-power basisVerified activity and the document packDTV for familySpouse, children and separate applicationsDTV vs Thailand Elite/LTRChoosing the long-stay visa by goalLong-stay visas in Asia for remote workersCountry comparison for remote workAsia retirement visaRetirement and alternative long-stay visasHow to stay in Asia long-termA gateway map to long-stay visas and statusCambodia or Thailand for a long stayWhere to base for a long stayRetire and relocate to CambodiaVisa, budget, healthcare and housingCambodia long-stay visasE, EB, ER, EG, ES: compare, choose and a checklistMalaysia long-stay visasMM2H, DE Rantau, EP: compare and chooseIndonesia & Bali visasKITAS and Second Home Visa by purposeVietnam long-stay visasE-visa, TRC, investor and workLaos long-stay visasTourism, business and work without mythsPhilippines long-stay visasSRRV, SIRV, 9G and the nomad visaBorder runs: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand2026 rules, risks and when to get a visaPermanent residency in AsiaReal paths to permanent statusInvestment visas in AsiaWhere investment secures statusWork visa & permit in AsiaSponsor, documents, timelineThai residency through propertyWhat property does and does not do for status

Visas and status by country

MM2H Malaysia visaTiers, deposits, family, work and applicationThailand tax residency180 days, foreign income and a checking frameworkThailand retirement visaNon-O, O-A, O-X and LTR after 50

Related paths in other hubs

For retirement, review the day-to-day relocation side separately.Healthcare, insurance, living costs and pension logistics can change the decision.An investment-visa route does not tell you whether the investment itself is sound.Assess the asset separately from any immigration benefit.Planning to live in Thailand in a home you own?The market, cities, ownership route and deal checks need their own review.

Want your long-stay route checked?

Tell us your basis, country and timing — we will help map the options.

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This article is for information only and does not replace individual legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and outcomes depend on your citizenship, tax residency, source of funds and the specific contract — verify them for your own situation.

Continue with the Thailand guide

For a Thailand decision, open the dedicated long-stay guide.

Thailand Long-Stay Visa Options for Foreigners in 2026 →