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The Ultimate Guide to moving to Asia for work 2024

4th December 2024

Asia offers many job opportunities, particularly in tech, finance, business, and education. Whether you’re a graduate looking to launch your career, or an experienced professional seeking new challenges, it’s important to understand the job landscape before relocating. In this blog, we’ll explore key industries across Asia’s fastest-growing economies, offer insights into the cost of living and housing, and provide tips on transportation and retirement options in some of the region’s most popular destinations.

Types of Jobs

Most Asian job opportunities are in tech, finance and business, or teaching nature. Asia’s booming economies offer a range of skilled graduate jobs, senior-level jobs and progressing job opportunities. 

For temporary contracts, try au-pairing, which is a highly sought-after job, along with tutoring and teaching—particularly in the English language. If you are an expat considering a move for a permanent position, it is essential to research job opportunities in your industry beforehand to ensure you relocate to an area with good job prospects.

Take a look at some of the major industries in a selection of our most moved-to countries across Asia:

 

Country	Industries
China	Mining, Manufacturing, Electronics, Automobiles, Pharmaceuticals
Hong Kong	Finance, Banking, Marketing and Digital
Singapore	Financial Services, Banking, Law, Media, Technology, Oil and gas
Malaysia	IT, Technology, Medicine, Oil and Gas, Banking, Finance, Electronics
Japan	Technology, Automotive, Communication, Green Energy, Shipping, Finance and banking

 

Housing

Housing costs and options vary widely depending on the size of the property and the location you are looking to move to. 

Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong are all at the higher end of the housing market, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging between £1,800-£3,500 per month, not including bills or amenities. China, Japan and Thailand are the middle group when it comes to housing prices, one-bed apartments range from £800-£650. Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines and India are three locations within Asia that are known for having more affordable housing, ranging between £500-£200.

There is also a range of property types to choose from, whether you are in a family, a group of students or an individual, you will be able to find something suitable for your needs.

 

• Student Housing
• Co-Living properties
• Services Apartments
• Rental Properties
• Senior Living 

Cost of Living

The cost of living varies significantly depending on the country and specific area you choose to live in. According to the Cost of Living Index, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea have some of the highest living costs in Asia, with rankings of 81, 75, and 68, respectively. In the middle range are the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, with rankings of 57, 53, 48, and 41. Countries with lower living costs include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia, all ranked between 35 and 18, making them quite affordable. When comparing this to your current cost of living, Singapore is considered 28% more expensive than the United Kingdom,  Japan 33% cheaper, and The Philippines 51% cheaper. 

Grocery prices can often be quite high; however, locally sourced food from markets is generally much more affordable. Transportation is also inexpensive, and dining out can be budget-friendly as well. The cost of entertainment varies depending on the type and location. Purchasing toiletries from local stores and markets instead of large chain stores can be much more cost-effective. 

It is important to remember that the cost of living can impact your quality of life. Therefore, the best approach is to find a location that feels comfortable and safe, has essential amenities, and fits your budget.

Transport

Asia has a very good transport system throughout, with efficient and quick links to various countries and cities. Methods such as trains, trams and buses are also incredibly affordable. 

Japan: The Japanese public transport system is renowned for its punctuality, speed and cleanliness. Famous for the bullet train, you can travel to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Alternatively, the metro system is fast, well maintained an reliable; for more rural areas, buses and taxis are easy to use.

Singapore: The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is one of the most reliable methods of transport in Asia. It is safe and efficient, fast and extremely punctual. EZ link cards can be used for the trains, and buses. 

Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s MTR system is one of the most efficient and reliable methods of transport in the world. It covers routes of the mainland and cities, as well as across to areas of China. Other transport includes: buses, mini-buses and trams. An Octopus Card can be used across all methods of transport in Hong Kong.

Malaysia: The KLRT (Kuala Lumpur Rail Transit) and monorail are both affordable and efficient. The intercity train system connects regions of the country in a short period. For buses, the KL bus network is just as effective and covers a wide range of locations, even where the trains won’t go.

Thailand: Thailand has a great transport system, especially in Bangkok, where there are an abundance of BTS Skytrains and MRT connections. Public buses take much longer to travel on than their train counterparts but cover a much greater vicinity. 

China: With lots of choices of public transport, you will never be stuck when living in China. The subway system can be a bit confusing to start with but is very well-connected and reasonably priced. Most bus routes have a bus arriving every 2-3 minutes, and once you understand the system, it is great to use, and it is easy to pay for using various apps. Public bicycles are another great method of transportation. Different cities have different coloured bikes, which are great for getting you around a city during busy rush hours. Several taxi apps also make private transport easy to use. 

Healthcare

Healthcare in Asia varies depending on where you decide to move. Many of the countries have world-class healthcare that is accessible and available.  

When moving to China, it is recommended that you get international health insurance, including evacuation coverage. Although healthcare in the country has improved significantly, the large population often means healthcare standards that are lower than those in the UK. For salaried workers, subscribing to basic medical insurance is mandatory.

Hong Kong has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, with extremely well-qualified doctors. However, accessing this healthcare can be expensive, especially for those not eligible for the local system; expats should go for a private health insurance policy to cover potential costs. If you opt for public healthcare, it is financed by the state and does not require contributions from employees or employers. You can access public healthcare as long as you have a Hong Kong Identity Card.  Both public and private healthcare in Hong Kong have the same high level of quality.

When it comes to healthcare systems, Singapore’s is exceptional. While the government also covers the majority of costs, workers contribute a portion of their monthly salary to a fund that can be accessed for medical treatment when needed. As a result, Singapore has become a healthcare hub in Asia. There are several schemes available for residents, including Medisave, MediShield, and Medifund.

In Thailand, residents must pay into the national insurance system. Healthcare is free for those in the catchment area or with a universal health card (gold card). Otherwise, individuals must pay independently or use private insurance. Public healthcare in Thailand is generally good quality. Private healthcare is high-quality and efficient, with many expats choosing it for the ability to select hospitals and access English-speaking staff, and though costs can be high, they are usually lower than private care in Europe.

Retiring in Asia

If you’re considering moving to Asia at the end of your working career, it offers a range of popular retirement options. From coastal towns to big cities, Asia provides an affordable and mix of destinations to settle down in. 

Thailand

In Thailand, retirees receive significant support from the local community. Anyone over 50 can apply for a retirement visa, provided they can demonstrate that they have the financial means to support themselves during their stay. Public transport is often available at reduced rates for elderly residents, and many entertainment venues offer discounts specifically for retirees.

Bali

Older people are highly regarded as a source of wisdom in Bali. The locals are very friendly and welcoming, which sets it apart from other places, with a strong emphasis on caring for and respecting elders. To qualify for a retirement visa, you must be older than 55 and be able to prove that you can support yourself financially each month without working, and you must hire a local to do your gardening, cleaning, or driving, for example.

The Philippines

The Philippines is an ideal place to retire, with stunning oceans, pretty landscapes, and tropical beaches. English is an official language, so communication shouldn’t be an issue. The people are warm and friendly, and again, they highly value their elders.

To be approved for a retirement visa, you must be 50 or older and have an income of around £700-£800 per month. You also need to deposit £10,000 into an investment, such as property. A retirement visa in the Philippines offers several benefits, including free health insurance and exemption from customs duties. 

 

Once you’re ready to make your move to Asia, whether for work or to retire, our team of friendly experts can help arrange the whole process. Once you are set on your relocation, we can offer you a FREE virtual survey to get your move started. From there, we can begin packing your items and organising shipping via air or sea, unloading and organising your furniture in your new home, and supporting you in any way we can! For businesses looking to move their team, we offer employee relocation support and guidance.