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Guide

East Asia Residence Options

What could support a move to East Asia?

Work, study, family, and business can each provide a basis for living in East Asia. The immigration systems differ by destination, including separate systems for China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

About this guide

Planning a move to East Asia begins with how you want to take part in daily life there. Joining an employer, studying at a university, and moving with family each create different choices about where to go and how long to stay.

This guide organizes selected routes around those plans, helping you compare similar options across destinations. It also includes possibilities for people starting a business or building on an existing residence history. The regional report provides more context for choosing a route that fits.

Pathways compared 24
Countries covered 7

Employment and company transfers
China Work Residence Employment Residency A qualifying job in China can support a Z visa and work-related residence. The employer must arrange the work authorization; the entry visa alone is not enough. Yes The approved employment and stay period The approved work permit and residence permit allow the named employment in China for their respective validity periods.
Taiwan Work Residence Employment Residency Taiwan’s ordinary professional-employment route starts with an employer-arranged work permit. It is a separate option from qualifying for an Employment Gold Card. Yes The approved employment and stay period This route provides residence for the approved professional job, followed by an Alien Resident Certificate, usually called an ARC.
Mongolia Work Residence Employment Residency A Mongolian employer can support employment residence after obtaining the relevant labor permission. The immigration category follows the sector and job. Yes The approved employment and stay period C-category residence supports the approved job in Mongolia. The employer and work authorization remain central to the stay.
Macao Nonresident Worker Permission Employment Residency An approved Macao employer can arrange permission to stay as a nonresident worker. This is work-related permission to stay, not Macao resident status. Yes The approved employment and stay period The nonresident worker authorization and worker identification card allow the approved employment and stay while the employment basis remains valid.
Japan Intracompany Transfer Visa Employment Residency An overseas employee transferring to a related office in Japan may qualify for Intra-company Transferee status. The duties and previous overseas service must fit this category. Yes a qualifying transfer assignment Up to five years; shorter periods may be granted Residence and work for the approved transfer assignment

No pathways match that filter.

Joining an eligible family member
China Citizen Family Residence Family Residency China’s Q1 route supports a family reunion lasting more than 180 days with a Chinese citizen living in China or a foreign permanent resident there. Depends on sponsor and issued permission Reunion residence allows family life in China. It does not itself authorize employment; a job needs the applicable work approval.
China Foreign Resident Family Residence Family Residency China’s S1 route can support a stay of more than 180 days for certain close relatives of a foreign worker or student living in China. Depends on sponsor and issued permission The permission allows the approved family stay. It does not itself give employment permission or replace a separate work permit.
Hong Kong Family Residence Family Residency Hong Kong allows specified relatives to join an eligible resident. Which relatives qualify, and whether they can work, depends on the sponsor’s immigration status. Depends on sponsor and issued permission Dependents of eligible workers, talent entrants, and permanent residents generally may work. Dependents of students need prior permission from the Immigration Department before working.
Japan Dependent Family Residence Family Residency Japan’s Dependent status allows an eligible foreign resident’s financially dependent spouse or child to live with them. The sponsor must hold a status that permits dependents. Depends on sponsor and issued permission Dependent status permits the approved family stay. Paid work needs separate permission for activities outside that status and must comply with its limits.
South Korea Worker Family Residence Family Residency South Korea’s F3 dependent route can let a spouse or minor child accompany a qualifying professional worker. This pathway focuses on sponsors with E1 through E5 or E7 status. Depends on sponsor and issued permission F3 supports the approved family stay. It is not general employment permission; obtain the appropriate authorization or status before working.
Taiwan Foreign Resident Family Residence Family Residency A spouse or minor child may join a qualifying foreign resident in Taiwan. The sponsor’s residence document and the applicant’s relationship determine the application. Depends on sponsor and issued permission The permission supports the approved family stay. Work rights depend on the sponsor’s category and the family member’s status; check whether a work-permit exemption applies before accepting employment.
Mongolia C2 Worker Family Residence Family Residency Mongolia’s C2-1 category supports specified relatives of a C2 worker in science, education, or information technology. Other work sectors have their own family categories. Depends on sponsor and issued permission C2-1 residence supports the family stay for the period tied to the C2 worker’s permission. Employment requires a separate check of the applicable work authorization.
Macao Worker Family Stay Permit Family Residency Certain relatives of an eligible specialist nonresident worker may apply for special permission to stay in Macao. A worker card alone does not establish the right to sponsor family. Depends on sponsor and issued permission Special Authorization to Stay allows the approved family stay, normally linked to the worker’s permission. It does not itself authorize employment.

No pathways match that filter.

An approved university place
China Student Residence Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist The period approved for the course Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate
Hong Kong Student Residence Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist The period approved for the course Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate
Japan Student Residence Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist Individually granted, up to four years and three months Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate
South Korea Student Residence Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist The period approved for the course Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate
Taiwan Student Residence Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist The period approved for the course Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate
Mongolia Student Residence Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist Initially up to one year Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate
Macao Student Permission to Stay Study Residency Yes Document tuition and living support under the current checklist Approved study period, limited by travel-document validity Stay for the approved course; work conditions are separate

No pathways match that filter.

An active business or qualifying business investment
Hong Kong Entrepreneur Residence Business Residency Entrepreneurs with a viable, funded Hong Kong business and an eligible profile No universal fixed minimum; adequate business funding required Normally up to 36 months Residence to establish or join the approved business
Mongolia Business Investor Residence Investment Residency Mongolia’s B1 route supports an investor in a qualifying foreign-invested company. This is an operating-business route, not residence obtained by buying a home. USD $100,000 per foreign investor in a qualifying company Up to one year Approved investor residence, subject to continued qualification

No pathways match that filter.

A temporary working holiday
Japan Working Holiday Visa Youth Mobility Residency Young adults meeting a participating passport’s bilateral rules 30; check the passport-specific age rule Depends on the passport arrangement and grant A temporary holiday with incidental permitted work

No pathways match that filter.

After an established residence history
Hong Kong Seven Year Permanent Residence Long Term Residence Residency Non-Chinese nationals with seven qualifying years and Hong Kong as their only permanent home Seven continuous qualifying years immediately before application Right of abode and a permanent identity card after verification

No pathways match that filter.