For discerning investors or those seeking a reliable backup plan, the allure of a “golden visa” is hard to ignore. Various East Asian nations are rolling out long-term residency programs designed to offer a second home for expatriates. These initiatives are often accessible through substantial investments or specialized skill sets, aiming to draw in capital, talent, and innovation. The landscape is evolving rapidly, making it essential to stay informed about each country's offerings.

Rising Competition for Global Talent

As countries vie for international investors, the competition intensifies. Vietnam, for instance, has introduced a five-year “talent visa” with a streamlined renewal process, while Malaysia boasts a golden visa that can last up to 20 years for qualified applicants. Below, we delve into the specific programs offered by each country, based on insights from consultancy firms like Henley & Partners and Harvey Law Group.

1. Hong Kong: Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

Hong Kong's CIES has been revitalized to attract high-net-worth individuals, reflecting the city’s continued appeal as a financial hub.

• Investment Requirement: A minimum of HK$30 million (approximately $3.86 million) in approved assets, which can include real estate, stocks, or business investments.
• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a clean immigration record, and demonstrate full ownership of the invested assets. Proof of financial stability and a viable business plan may also be required.
• Residency Pathway: Successful applicants receive temporary residency, with the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after seven years. Benefits include access to Hong Kong's robust healthcare system and educational institutions.

2. Malaysia: Two Residency Programs

Malaysia offers two primary pathways for residency through investment, each catering to different demographics and investment capacities.

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

• Financial Requirements: Applicants under 50 must deposit MYR 300,000 (about $68,000) in a fixed deposit account, while those over 50 must deposit MYR 150,000 (approximately $34,000).
• Eligibility Age: Minimum age of 35.
• Residency Duration: A 10-year multiple-entry visa, requiring at least 90 days of stay each year. This program also allows for family members to join, making it an attractive option for families.
• Additional Benefits: The program offers tax incentives, such as exemption from income tax on overseas income.

Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)

• Investment Requirement: A minimum investment of RM 1 million (around $240,000) in approved sectors.
• Age Restrictions: None, making it accessible to younger investors.
• Residency Duration: A 20-year multiple-entry visa issued in five-year increments, with no minimum stay requirement, offering flexibility for frequent travelers.
• Benefits: Investors can also enjoy Malaysia's rich culture, diverse cuisine, and beautiful landscapes.

3. Singapore: Global Investor Programme (GIP)

Singapore’s GIP provides a pathway to permanent residency for qualified global investors, reinforcing its position as a global business center.

• Investment Options:
  • Option A: Invest S$10 million (about $7.78 million) in a new or existing business in Singapore, contributing to the local economy.
  • Option B: Invest S$25 million in a fund approved by the Singapore Economic Development Board, supporting innovative startups.
• Eligibility: Applicants must possess a robust business track record, with prior entrepreneurial experience being highly advantageous.
• Residency Pathway: Permanent residency is granted upon approval, with eligibility for citizenship after two years. Note that Singapore prohibits dual citizenship, which may be a consideration for potential applicants.

4. Thailand: Elite Visa Program

Thailand’s Elite Visa offers attractive long-term residency options, appealing not only to investors but also to retirees and expatriates.

• Membership Fee: Starting from THB 650,000 ($19,300) for a five-year visa, with options for longer durations available.
• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must hold a foreign passport, have no criminal record, and meet standard immigration requirements.
• Benefits: Membership includes VIP airport services, government concierge assistance, and exclusive access to events, making it a premium choice for those seeking a luxurious lifestyle in Thailand. The program also promotes cultural integration and networking opportunities.

5. Vietnam: New Visa Schemes

Vietnam is enhancing its appeal to investors and skilled professionals with new visa offerings aimed at driving economic growth.

• Investor Visa: Valid for 10 years, offering a pathway to permanent residency after five years. This visa is designed for individuals willing to invest in sectors prioritized by the Vietnamese government.
• Talent Visa: Targeting high-skilled professionals in technology, finance, and healthcare, valid for five years, with an easy renewal process to encourage talent retention.
• Application Process: Expected to be entirely online, streamlining the experience and eliminating the need for embassy appointments. This modernization reflects Vietnam's commitment to attracting global talent.

6. Philippines: Diverse Golden Visa Options

The Philippines offers several residency options catering to foreign investors and retirees, making it an attractive destination in Southeast Asia.

Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV)

• Investment Requirement: A minimum investment of $75,000 in Philippine corporations, ideally in sectors that support national development.
• Eligibility: Applicants must be 21 or older, healthy, and free of criminal records. Family members can also be included in the application.
• Residency Benefits: Offers indefinite residency for the investor and their family, with no minimum stay required. Investors benefit from tax incentives on Philippine income only and enjoy duty-free import of goods.

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

• Eligibility: Available for retirees aged 50 and above, with entry starting from a deposit of $10,000, which may vary based on pension income.
• Benefits: Lifetime stay, work and study rights, access to health insurance, and the ability to live anywhere in the Philippines. This visa provides a straightforward pathway for retirees seeking a serene lifestyle.

Each of these golden visa programs is designed with distinct features to appeal to various profiles, from investors to retirees. They provide flexible paths to residency, allowing individuals to experience the rich cultures, economic opportunities, and stunning landscapes of East Asia. However, applicants should be prepared to spend a certain amount of time in the host country to maintain their status. With the right investment and commitment, your dream of global living in East Asia could become a reality, offering not just a home, but a vibrant new lifestyle.

The UK Foreign Office has issued a new travel advisory warning of potential disruptions due to escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The warning highlights the risk of rapid escalation and security threats across the wider region, which could lead to short-notice airspace closures, flight delays, cancellations, and other unexpected travel impacts.

Travelers are advised to:

• Monitor local and international media for the latest updates
• Stay vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities
• Check with airlines for current flight information before traveling

This alert comes as airlines suspend flights to the UAE and other Middle Eastern destinations amid rising tensions. American Airlines has suspended its only Middle East route, Flight AA120 between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar, citing safety concerns. The suspension is in effect until June 22, with several flights already cancelled on June 18, 19, and 20.

United Airlines has also halted daily flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai as of June 19, stating it will resume service "when it’s safe," without specifying a return date. Passengers flying to the UAE are strongly advised to verify their flight status with their airline before departure.

The ongoing conflict has led to widespread airspace closures and airport shutdowns in the region. Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport remains closed indefinitely, and Iran has suspended flights to and from Khomeini International Airport. Neighboring countries including Iraq, Jordan, and Syria have also closed their airspace, causing major disruptions to international flight routes.

Travelers should prepare for potential delays and rerouted flights, with some airlines diverting flights through alternative hubs such as Vienna, Jeddah, or Frankfurt. The UK Foreign Office continues to monitor the situation closely and urges all travelers to exercise caution and stay informed as the situation develops.

Qatar Airways has issued a travel alert announcing that, effective June 22, 2025, several flights have been retimed to enhance connectivity and minimize disruptions across its global network. Some departure times may now be earlier than originally scheduled as part of the airline’s efforts to preserve operational reliability, network integrity, and resilience.

Passengers are strongly advised to verify their updated flight times ahead of travel via the official Qatar Airways website or the mobile app to ensure a smooth journey. The airline also urges travel agents to monitor their GDS queues closely for schedule changes and to promptly inform affected clients, ensuring bookings include accurate contact details for timely communication.

In addition to the flight retimings, Qatar Airways continues to comply fully with international aviation safety regulations, underscoring that passenger and crew safety remains the highest priority.

The flight schedule adjustments come amid broader strategic modifications in Qatar Airways’ Northern Summer 2025 schedule, which includes aircraft swaps, frequency changes, and seasonal service adjustments across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Specific route changes include increased frequencies on some routes such as Doha to Bangkok and Entebbe, and reductions or cancellations on others, including seasonal cancellations on routes to Türkiye and adjustments on flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, where some flights have been temporarily cancelled or rebooked with flexible options for passengers.

Passengers holding tickets for affected flights to or from these regions are permitted two free reissues within 21 days of their original travel dates, with flexible rerouting options to accommodate travel plans.

Qatar Airways thanks its passengers and partners for their understanding and cooperation as it implements these changes to maintain a reliable and safe travel experience worldwide.

Passengers are encouraged to stay informed by checking their flight status at qatarairways.com or by using the Qatar Airways mobile app for real-time updates. Qatar Airways remains committed to delivering seamless and safe travel for all its customers.

Major international airlines are continuing to divert their flights to avoid Middle Eastern airspace after the recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating regional tensions and disrupting global air travel.

Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows that airlines including United Airlines and American Airlines are steering clear of high-risk zones encompassing Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel. Instead of the usual direct routes, flights are now detouring north over the Caspian Sea or south through Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These longer paths increase fuel consumption, crew expenses, and overall operating costs for airlines.

The rerouting follows a series of military escalations beginning June 13, when Israel launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets. The situation intensified after the U.S. conducted coordinated airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan using advanced bunker-buster bombs. These strikes, described by President Trump as “completely obliterating” Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities, have heightened fears of further conflict and retaliation.

In response to the volatile security environment, airlines have suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations. American Airlines halted services to Qatar, United Airlines paused flights to Dubai, and Israel’s main carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir have suspended both commercial and rescue flights until at least June 27.

 Israel has closed its airspace, though land borders with Egypt and Jordan remain open, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded. The Israeli Tourism Ministry is facilitating their departure through alternate routes such as transit via Amman or ferry services to Cyprus.

The ripple effects extend beyond flight disruptions. Several countries have initiated evacuation efforts for their citizens. Japan successfully evacuated 21 people from Iran overland to Azerbaijan, marking its second such operation in recent days. New Zealand announced plans to deploy a Hercules military transport aircraft to the region to assist with potential evacuations.

Aviation safety organizations like Safe Airspace have warned of increased risks to commercial flights operating near the conflict zones, urging caution as missile and drone attacks continue to threaten the region. Airlines are now treating airspace over multiple Middle Eastern countries as restricted, even those not directly involved in the conflict, impacting long-haul flights connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The U.S. strikes have triggered a complex political fallout. While some U.S. politicians praised the military action, others criticized it for bypassing congressional approval. Iran has vowed “everlasting consequences” and retains capabilities for missile retaliation, potentially targeting U.S. military bases and critical energy transit routes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.

 Recent Iranian missile salvos targeting Israeli cities underscore the risk of sustained regional escalation.
This evolving crisis has forced airlines worldwide to balance operational challenges with passenger safety amid one of the most volatile periods in Middle Eastern aviation history.

This feature synthesizes multiple reports on the ongoing impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and the resulting aviation disruptions in the Middle East as of June 22, 2025.

Israel’s main international airport, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, has been closed for over six days, marking the longest shutdown in Israel’s 76-year history due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The closure began shortly after Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear enrichment sites on the night of June 12-13, 2025, prompting the closure of airspace across the Middle East.

The airport’s shutdown has created significant travel disruptions, stranding thousands of Israeli citizens abroad and foreign visitors in Israel. Israeli flag carrier El Al was authorized on June 17 to operate recovery flights to bring citizens home. The airline reported its first repatriation flights landed on June 18 and announced that over 70,000 people had registered for these flights.

Recovery flights are being gradually operated from destinations including Larnaca, Paphos, Budapest, Athens, Milan, Rome, and London (Luton), subject to government approval.

The closure follows an intensification of military operations in the region. Israeli airstrikes targeted key Iranian nuclear and military sites, including a centrifuge manufacturing workshop in Isfahan province and military installations in Shiraz and Khuzestan province. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed strikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, noting no radiological consequences.

Iran retaliated with multiple missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The conflict has escalated to include proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, who have launched attacks on Israeli territory. The United States has been involved in defensive operations, shooting down Iranian missiles and drones, and on June 21, it conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, further intensifying the conflict. President Donald Trump has reviewed military options but has delayed further action, awaiting Iran’s response to diplomatic pressure.

Major international airlines, including U.S. carriers Delta and United, have suspended flights to Israel due to the airspace closure and security concerns. The last full closure of Ben Gurion Airport was on October 1, 2024, following a missile attack from Iran, but the current shutdown is unprecedented in length and impact.
Israeli authorities have indicated preparations to resume outbound flights with strict passenger limits, prioritizing humanitarian and security-related travel.

The airspace was temporarily reopened on June 22 to facilitate repatriation flights, reflecting ongoing efforts to restore normalcy amid the conflict.

This prolonged airport closure underscores the severe disruption caused by the Israel-Iran conflict, which has rapidly escalated since mid-June 2025, involving extensive military strikes, drone activity, missile barrages, and international diplomatic maneuvers. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation affecting regional stability and global security.

 

Continuing its comprehensive repatriation operation, the Sultanate of Oman has successfully completed the fourth phase of its evacuation plan, welcoming 294 Omani citizens back from the Islamic Republic of Iran via the Republic of Turkiye. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing national efforts coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant Omani authorities, and Oman’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The fourth phase follows earlier successful stages, including the second phase which saw 245 citizens return via Bandar Abbas port, and the third phase which facilitated the safe transit of 193 Omanis from Bandar Abbas to Khasab port, alongside 158 nationals of other countries transiting through Oman. Additionally, 155 Omanis and other nationals were evacuated by air from Iraq, reflecting the Ministry’s multi-route evacuation strategy.

The Ministry expressed deep appreciation for the integrated efforts of all involved, particularly the support teams, field committees, and the constructive cooperation with Turkish authorities, which ensured the smooth and safe execution of this phase. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuing subsequent phases of the evacuation plan through ongoing coordination with relevant parties inside and outside Oman to guarantee the safe return of all citizens.

With this phase, the total number of Omani citizens repatriated from Iran has risen to 1,188, while the number of other nationals whose return was facilitated stands at 281. These figures highlight Oman’s humanitarian approach and its strong coordination with brotherly and friendly nations during a complex regional situation.

The evacuation operations are part of a broader regional and international response amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where over 20 countries including the UAE, Bahrain, India, Japan, and the United States have accelerated efforts to repatriate their nationals from Iran and Israel. Oman’s efforts are aligned with these global humanitarian initiatives, emphasizing diplomacy and safety.

Looking ahead, the Ministry is already implementing the fifth phase, which recently saw 181 Omanis and other nationals evacuated from Mashhad, Iran, via Turkmenistan, arriving safely at Muscat International Airport. The Ministry continues to work closely with its missions abroad and relevant authorities to complete all remaining phases of the repatriation operation.

Oman’s evacuation plan reflects a comprehensive, multi-route approach involving land, sea, and air corridors, including transit through neighboring countries such as Turkey, Iraq, and Turkmenistan. This strategy ensures flexibility and maximizes the safety and efficiency of the repatriation process amid ongoing regional instability.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all citizens still in Iran to remain in contact with Omani diplomatic missions and follow official guidance to facilitate their safe return.

For continuous updates on the evacuation plan and other official announcements, please follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oman’s official communication channels.