Business Investment Visas in Southeast Asia in 2026

Updated: July 21, 2026Written and reviewed by AsiaLongStay Editorial Team

Southeast Asia has several ways to qualify for a long stay through your own money. Thailand offers a paid membership and an asset-based LTR visa. Vietnam uses capital in a registered company. The Philippines and Indonesia offer investment, deposit and retirement options. Cambodia has the privately operated CM2H program, while Laos links investor status to a registered enterprise. Compare the type of financial commitment as well as the headline amount.

Investment options across the six countries

Country	Main option	Financial requirement	Status and main conditions	Residency
Thailand	Privilege visa	THB 650,000 to 5,000,000 non-refundable membership fee. Bronze at THB 650,000 is a limited offer	5-year to 20-year stay, no work right	Renewable membership, not permanent residence
Thailand	LTR Wealthy Global Citizen	USD 1,000,000 in total assets, including at least USD 500,000 in qualifying Thai investments	10-year visa. A digital work permit is available subject to the work conditions	Renewable, not automatically permanent
Vietnam	DT investor visa	Registered business capital. DT3 starts at VND 3 billion. Encouraged sectors or locations may qualify for higher categories	DT4 gives up to 1 year and no residence card. DT1 to DT3 may receive longer visas and cards. The work permit exemption is conditional	Residence card for DT1 to DT3, not permanent residence
Philippines	SIRV	Applicants aged 21 or over must invest at least USD 75,000 in an eligible form	6-month probationary status followed by indefinite stay while the investment and reporting requirements are maintained	Conditional residence while the investment and reporting requirements are maintained
Philippines	SRRV Classic	USD 15,000 to 50,000 refundable visa deposit, depending on age and pension status	Indefinite stay while enrolled. A separate work permit is generally not required under the program benefit	Conditional residence while program requirements are maintained
Indonesia	Golden Visa E28C	USD 350,000 for 5 years, USD 700,000 for 10 years, or qualifying property of at least USD 1,000,000 for 10 years	5-year or 10-year stay. Activities must remain consistent with the permit	No automatic permanent residence. Any later status requires a separate application
Indonesia	Second Home Visa E33	USD 130,000 maintained deposit or USD 1,000,000 qualifying property	5-year stay. Work or other activities depend on the permit conditions and required reporting	No automatic permanent residence. Any later status requires a separate application
Indonesia	Silver Hair E33E	USD 50,000 maintained deposit, age 55 or over, and income or benefits of at least USD 3,000 a month	5-year stay. Work or other activities depend on the permit conditions and required reporting	No automatic permanent residence. Any later status requires a separate application
Cambodia	CM2H	Program material has described investment of at least USD 100,000. Obtain the current cost schedule before paying	The private operator describes a 10-year visa. Work requires a Cambodian work permit	Citizenship is a separate, discretionary application subject to nationality law
Laos	NI-B2 or I-B2 business visa for investors	Approved investment or shareholding in a registered enterprise. No visa-specific minimum is stated on the official investor visa page	The 2024 law allows certain visas of up to 5 years. An older official page lists shorter periods and special treatment for some concessions	No automatic permanent residence

Foreign investor comparing residency visa options across Southeast Asia — Headway | Unsplash

In this guide

Who these visas are for
What counts as a business investment visa in Southeast Asia
Thailand options, from the Privilege visa to the LTR
Vietnam and the DT investor visa
Philippines options, SIRV, SRRV, and employment generation
Indonesia options, Golden Visa, Second Home, and Silver Hair

Cambodia and the CM2H golden visa
Laos and its investor visa
Which country asks for the least, and which approves fastest
Does an investment visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship
Frequently asked questions

Who these visas are for

The SRRV and Silver Hair programs serve older applicants who can maintain a deposit and meet the age or income rules. SIRV and E28C applicants put money into approved financial assets. Vietnam and Laos require capital or ownership in a registered business. Thailand's Privilege membership suits applicants who want a long stay without an investment return or local work right. Some programs also cover eligible spouses and children.

Someone relying on salaried local employment will normally need an employment-based visa and work authorisation. Before choosing, identify whether the financial requirement is a fee, deposit, owned asset, retirement-income test or company capital.

What counts as a business investment visa in Southeast Asia

The financial test differs by program. The Philippine SRRV and Indonesia's Silver Hair program use maintained bank deposits. Indonesia also accepts specified securities or property for some visas. Vietnam and Laos connect investor status to a registered company or approved investment.

Thailand's Privilege visa is different. It charges a non-refundable membership fee and does not produce an investment asset. The retirement and membership programs remain in this comparison because applicants often consider them alongside investor visas. Employer-sponsored work visas are outside the article's scope.

Thailand options, from the Privilege visa to the LTR

Thailand Privilege charges a non-refundable membership fee and provides no work right. The limited-offer Bronze membership costs THB 650,000 for five years. The invitation-only Reserve membership costs THB 5,000,000 for twenty years. The full Thailand Privilege costs and tiers guide lists the other memberships and their conditions.

The Wealthy Global Citizen LTR requires at least USD 1,000,000 in total assets. At least USD 500,000 must be held in qualifying Thai government bonds, a direct Thai company investment or Thai property. Qualifying government bonds must have at least five years remaining to maturity.

The Wealthy Pensioner category requires at least USD 80,000 a year in passive income. An applicant earning USD 40,000 to under USD 80,000 must also hold at least USD 250,000 in qualifying Thai investment. The LTR starts with five years and can be extended for another five if the conditions remain satisfied. Qualifying holders who work for a Thai entity can apply for a digital work permit.

Vietnam and the DT investor visa

Vietnam's current immigration law does not name a golden visa category. The DT investor visa links visa status to a qualifying investment under Vietnamese law. An apartment purchase alone is not listed as a DT qualification.

DT4 covers investment below VND 3 billion. It provides a visa of up to one year, with no temporary residence card or dependant sponsorship. DT3 covers VND 3 billion to below VND 50 billion and allows a visa and card of up to three years.

DT2 generally covers VND 50 billion to below VND 100 billion. DT1 generally starts at VND 100 billion. Investments in specified encouraged sectors or locations can also qualify for DT1 or DT2. Both visas may be valid for up to five years. The maximum card periods are ten years for DT1 and five years for DT2. DT1 to DT3 holders may sponsor a spouse and children under 18.

A work permit exemption applies to qualifying owners, capital-contributing members and specified company officers who meet the legal conditions. The relevant capital threshold is at least VND 3 billion. The applicant must also complete the required exemption confirmation procedure.

Philippines options, SIRV, SRRV, and employment generation

The June 2026 BOI checklist sets a minimum age of 21 and an investment of at least USD 75,000 for a probationary SIRV. The applicant receives six months to place the capital into an eligible investment. Indefinite status depends on completing the investment and meeting the annual reporting requirements.

The Special Resident Retiree's Visa uses a visa deposit. The 2025 revision sets the principal applicant's minimum age at 40. A pensioner deposits USD 15,000 at age 50 or over and USD 25,000 at age 40 to 49. A non-pensioner deposits USD 30,000 or USD 50,000 for the same age brackets.

The deposit is refundable under the program rules. It may also be converted into specified investments, including an eligible condominium purchase or long-term lease. The SRRV application guide explains the documents and deposit process.

The Special Visa for Employment Generation applies to a foreigner who continuously employs at least ten qualifying full-time Filipino workers. The holder must maintain that employment level and meet the immigration conditions.

Indonesia options, Golden Visa, Second Home, and Silver Hair

The E28C Golden Visa requires at least USD 350,000 for five years or USD 700,000 for ten years. The applicant can use Indonesian government bonds, listed shares or mutual funds. Qualifying property worth at least USD 1,000,000 supports a ten-year option.

The Second Home Visa requirements allow a five-year stay through a maintained deposit of at least USD 130,000 in a state-owned Indonesian bank. Qualifying property worth at least USD 1,000,000 is the alternative. Silver Hair applicants must be at least 55. They also need a USD 50,000 maintained deposit and income or benefits of at least USD 3,000 a month.

Corporate investors establishing a company must commit at least USD 2,500,000 for five years or USD 5,000,000 for ten years. The official E33 and E33E pages list work, study and other activities subject to the permit and reporting conditions. They do not grant unrestricted employment rights.

The required bank balance must remain in the applicant's account. The immigration pages do not guarantee a particular refund procedure when the status ends. Indonesian tax residence is determined separately. Worldwide-income reporting, tax treaties and limited statutory exceptions can affect the final tax position.

Cambodia and the CM2H golden visa

The private CM2H program operator describes a ten-year visa linked to approved participation. Its program material has described a minimum investment of USD 100,000. Before paying, obtain a written schedule covering the property price, membership fee, dependant costs and refund terms.

The operator says eligible members may apply for Cambodian citizenship after five years. Eligibility to apply does not guarantee approval. Citizenship remains subject to Cambodian nationality law and a separate discretionary process. CM2H is not the only legal basis for Cambodian citizenship.

Confirm current family eligibility with the operator and Cambodian immigration. A CM2H visa does not replace the Cambodian work permit required for work in the country.

Laos and its investor visa

Invest Laos lists NI-B2 and I-B2 business visas for approved investors and registered shareholders. Applicants need an investment or concession licence and a registered enterprise. The official investor visa page does not state a fixed minimum investment. Its published visa options do not include a separate residence program based only on a bank deposit or property purchase.

The 2024 Investment Promotion Law allows qualifying foreign investors to receive multiple-entry visas with validity of up to five years. An older Invest Laos visa page lists three-month, six-month and twelve-month periods. It also describes longer treatment for some concession investors. Confirm the available period and current fee directly with the Investment Promotion Department before applying.

Which country asks for the least, and which approves fastest

A THB 650,000 non-refundable membership fee cannot be ranked directly against a refundable USD 15,000 retirement deposit. A USD 50,000 deposit also differs from capital invested in securities, property or a company. Compare options with the same type of financial requirement.

Indonesia states five working days after payment for the E28C Golden Visa. Its E33 Second Home and E33E Silver Hair pages state four working days after payment. These targets exclude document preparation, investment completion and post-arrival requirements. The SIRV begins with a six-month probationary period. Comparable official end-to-end targets are not published for every program, so the article does not name a regional winner.

Does an investment visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship

The Philippine SRRV and SIRV provide indefinite stay while the deposit, investment and continuing requirements remain satisfied. They do not grant unconditional permanent residence. Indonesia's E28C, Second Home and Silver Hair visas provide limited stay status. Any later permanent status requires a separate application.

Vietnam's DT1 to DT3 categories can provide temporary residence cards, but those cards are not permanent residence. Thailand's LTR and Privilege visas extend or renew without automatic conversion to permanent status.

The CM2H operator says eligible members may apply for Cambodian citizenship after five years. Cambodian authorities assess citizenship separately under nationality law, and approval is not automatic.

Frequently asked questions

Which country has the lowest minimum investment for residency?

The amounts cannot be ranked without separating fees, deposits and owned investments. The SRRV starts with a refundable USD 15,000 deposit for a qualifying pensioner aged 50 or over. Thailand's limited-offer Bronze membership costs THB 650,000 and is non-refundable. Eligibility and the treatment of the money matter as much as the headline amount.

Does buying property get me residency in Southeast Asia?

Property can support certain visas, but a purchase does not guarantee approval. Indonesia accepts qualifying property worth at least USD 1,000,000 for its five-year Second Home option or ten-year E28C option. Qualifying Thai property can count toward the Wealthy Global Citizen investment. CM2H participation can involve approved property. In Vietnam, an apartment purchase alone is not listed as a DT qualification.

Can I work on an investment visa?

Work rights differ by visa. Qualifying Thai LTR holders can apply for a digital work permit. Vietnam limits its exemption to investors and company officers who meet the legal conditions and complete the confirmation procedure. CM2H holders still need a Cambodian work permit. Thailand Privilege provides no work right. Indonesian E33 and E33E holders must follow the activity and reporting conditions attached to their permits.

Can my spouse and children be included?

Thailand's LTR covers a spouse and children under 20, with no more than four dependants in total. Vietnam's DT1 to DT3 categories allow a spouse and children under 18. The Philippine SRRV and SIRV cover a spouse and unmarried children under 21, subject to their program rules. Indonesia provides dependant visas for eligible spouses and children. Confirm CM2H family eligibility under the operator's current terms.

Is the money refundable, or is it a fee I lose?

Thailand Privilege charges a non-refundable membership fee. The SRRV deposit remains the applicant's money and is refundable under the program's cancellation and conversion rules. Indonesian Second Home and Silver Hair applicants must maintain the required bank balance. The immigration pages do not promise a particular refund procedure. SIRV and LTR investments remain owned assets but must continue to satisfy the visa conditions.

How long does approval take?

Indonesia states five working days after payment for E28C and four working days after payment for E33 and E33E. These targets exclude document preparation, investment completion and later compliance. The SIRV starts with a six-month probationary period before indefinite status can be granted. Obtain a current estimate from the responsible authority before applying.

This guide reflects investment-linked and golden visa residency rules across Southeast Asia as understood in July 2026. Requirements can change without advance notice. Verify current requirements directly with each country's immigration authority before proceeding.