Australia

In recent years, Asian countries have welcomed millions of digital nomads, long-term expats and international students. If you’re considering relocating to Asia, you are in for an adventure! Asia, the largest and most populous continent, is subdivided into various regions: North Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. With close to 50 countries to choose from when relocating to Asia, it can be challenging to know where to start researching.

Let’s dive into a quick guide to what you need to know about relocating to Asia!

Fast facts

• 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia.
• With an average of 84,2 years, Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world.
• The three countries with the highest average IQ on the planet are Asian (Singapore, South Korea and Japan).

Why do people relocate to Asia?

Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Cambodia are among the most popular relocation destinations in Asia. Job opportunities, travel experiences and affordable cost of living are some of the biggest reasons why Asian countries are attracting so many expats each year. Compared to Europe and the United States, many countries in Asia offer more affordable lifestyles in terms of accommodation, food and transport expenses. Further to this, it is relatively easy and affordable to travel between Asian countries to explore different regions of the continent.

Thanks to the rise of remote work, countless people are making use of the opportunity to embrace new adventures by moving abroad. Many Asian countries, including those listed above, offer convenient and affordable visa options that make it accessible for travellers and digital nomads to explore the country while working remotely. In addition to online and remote working options, Asia offers plenty of job opportunities. Countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, India and Indonesia have great employment potential for expats across various sectors, including business, finance, IT, design, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more.

What do I need to know before moving to Asia?

When relocating to Asia for career purposes, the best option is to secure a job before you move. Your new employer will be able to help you apply for the correct work/residency visa and offer support to find accommodation and navigate life abroad. If you are planning on staying in Asia for a while, it is best to book short-term or temporary accommodation to allow yourself enough time to become familiarised with your new environment before committing to a permanent or long-term lease.

Depending on where you are based, you may find that rental houses and apartments come fully furnished and can be rented on a month-to-month basis. This makes it easy to explore different neighbourhoods of the city while saving money on furniture, appliances and other household necessities. In general, Asia has a well-functioning public transport system, especially in cities and major towns.

Ready to relocate to Asia?

If you need assistance with planning your relocation to Asia, you’ve come to the right place. Claymore Thistle’s team of friendly relocation experts can help you organise your move from start to finish — from finding the perfect area to live and arranging accommodation to shipping your belongings and even researching the best schools for your kids to go to. Contact us today to book a free consultation with one of our relocation agents!