The only thing that stays the same is change.

As changes in visa and immigration procedures and requirements arise, we’ll add them here.

UPDATES FOR JUNE 2025

CHINA:

• Citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia will receive visa-free entry for up to 30 days starting from the 9^th June 2025.

KOREA:

• A pilot operation of digital nomad visas was introduced in January 2024 to attract remote workers.
• In order to boost tourism ahead of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea plans to implement a temporary visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists in the third quarter.

MALAYSIA:

• On the 1^st March, Malaysia introduced the Electronic Pass (ePASS) for Foreign Knowledge Workers and their dependents.
• Companies with approved employment passes need to offer internships to local students with the aim of balancing expatriate hiring and local talent development.

MYANMAR:

• Chinese and Indian nationals may receive visas on arrivals until August 29^th valid for 30 days.

PHILIPPINES:

• The Philippines will be launching the digital nomad visa valid for one year with the possibility of a renewal.

SINGAPORE:

• Changes in the work permit and S pass will be effective between 1^st July and 1^st September 2025. This will include removal of employment duration limits, expanded source countries and eligible occupations, higher employment ages and revised S Pass salary requirements.

TAIWAN:

• Similarly, the digital nomad visitor visa program began in January 025 allowing remote workers to stay in Taiwan for up to 180 days.

THAILAND:

• Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) updated their qualifications for Long-term resident visas; revenues for visa applicants’ employers is now USD50 million over a three-year period.
• Thailand implemented the digital arrival card on the 1^st
• Long-term resident visas and SMART visa programs have been changed; removing income requirements and thus easing employer revenue thresholds for remote workers.

VIETNAM:

Vietnam has introduced a proposal for a 10 year golden visa program in order to generate its tourism and investment sectors; this drive is more focused on Indian nationals.  There are 3 visa tiers namely, allowing 5 – 10 years with potential extensions; an investor visa for 10 yrs with potential of permanent residency after 5 years and lastly, a 5 year renewable talent visa for skilled professionals.

• Qualifications and experience for foreign employees for intracompany transfers and managerial role documentation will be loosened for work permits in Vietnam.
• Certain exempted categories such as foreign lawyers and spouses of Vietnamese citizens have a more streamlined application process.