Does Cambodia Offer The Best Retirement Visa in Asia?
Thinking about retiring in Asia but confused by visas, costs, and long-term rules? In this video, I break down the real retirement visa options across Southeast Asia—based on firsthand travel, lived experience, and up-to-date requirements.
Over the past few years, I’ve personally visited Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Laos, and in this guide I compare how easy (or painful) it really is to stay long-term. From low-cost, no-deposit options to high-investment golden visas, you’ll see what actually makes sense for retirees, early retirees, and long-stay expats in 2026.
I cover the pros, cons, costs, age requirements, renewal rules, and hidden hassles of each country—plus why visiting first on a tourist visa can save you from an expensive mistake later. This isn’t theory or sales talk; it’s based on real visa applications, extensions, and boots-on-the-ground experience.
What’s covered in this video:
⏱️ 00:00 Best Asian countries expats choose for retirement
⏱️ 01:00 Tourist visas vs retirement visas (and why visa runs suck)
⏱️ 02:00 Cambodia E-Class retirement visa (costs & extensions)
⏱️ 07:30 Philippines SRRV explained (deposits, age tiers, fees)
⏱️ 10:40 Thailand retirement visas (O, OA, OX, Elite, LTR)
⏱️ 14:30 Malaysia MM2H – why it’s no longer attractive
⏱️ 15:40 Vietnam long-stay & future golden visa plans
⏱️ 18:00 Indonesia retirement KITAS & golden visa options
⏱️ 20:20 Laos long-stay workaround visas
⏱️ 22:40 Final thoughts: cost vs lifestyle fit
If you’re planning to retire abroad, reduce living costs, or find the best Asian retirement visa in 2026, this video will help you avoid costly assumptions.
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20 Comments
One issue you didn't discuss was tax.
Will you be subject to tax on your retirement income in the country you reside in????
I think most people (particularly in Bali) don't understand that Indonesia will tax them on their offshore retirement income (pension etc from their home country) and will also tax them on their investment income from offshore.
I don't know the position in other countries (I understand Malaysia is more tax friendly to retirees).
Also, Indonesia now has a "Silver Hair" retirement visa for over 60s. Only requires USD50,000 to be deposited in Indonesia bank (can be kept in USD account), offshore income of USD3,000 per month (which is taxable in Indonesia) and it gives you a 5 year residence visa (non working).
After a decade in Thailand I'm releasing my money from my Thai bank and defecting to Cambodia, to invest my money. With only 5 months to go, I want to transport my stuff via road, but with the Borders closed and the Border Dispute continuing, plan B is just to fly. Will I be lucky or will the clock beat me? Great overview of retirement options in S.E. Asia – Thank you – Best wishes from Bangkok.
A great explanation of the different options for people.
Excellent information! Btw, any scams that you have become aware of?
UPDATE!
A couple of things I need to add about the Philippine's SRRV. Firstly the cost of which has increased this year. Also if you're ex-military you can get an SRRV Philippines lifetime retirement visa for $1,500 USD deposit and $10/year renewal. Thanks to my fact checkers – @Stevepoyntor186 @AnthonyJames-h4k and @RealGaryGibson
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That’s a good report.
13 years in Thailand……like an open prison with an ankle bracelet.
Cambodia……a great sense of freedom.
Sounds like staying 3 months in each country is the way to do it.
I would like to hear about Sri Lanka, part of Asia, but often overlooked and a bit out of the way.
You are incorrect regarding the price of the tourist evisa as it costs only $30 and is incredibly easy to do.
The $280 year visa is great.
I plan to spend the cold Northern European winters in Cambodia and will get the multiple entry 12 month visa.
I spent 8 days in Kampot to see if it was a place worth retiring in but after the 8 days I was bored even if you get lovely apartments for $200.
I actually love Phnom Penh, it is much more walkable than people say,food is cheap and drink is too cheap
Massages are the only thing that are more expensive than in Thailand
Shhhhh, let the lager louts go to those other countries.
9:13. Outdated Philippine SRRV deposits … now up 50%. Thailand: the 800,000 THB must be in the account for at least 5 months per year (2 months before + 3 months after extension), with a minimum balance of 400,000 THB for the remaining 7 months.
Thanks. Any chance of a downloadable copy of that comparison list?
Also, a silly question: Since Visa runs are required no matter what, would it be feasible/ legal to hold a retirement Visa in two Countries, like the Phil and Thailand to avoid the possibility of being denied re-entry?
You could add that Thailand, Vietnam & Indonesia tax foreign pension income at progressive rates ~30%. Cambodia, Malaysia and the Philippines do not tax foreign income. Laos rules are unclear but foreign income is generally not taxed, residency status may change that.
Cambodia wins.
Nice work Philip, especially the closing montage and music, really liked it! One of the best I’ve ever seen from any Vlogger!
Phil — you need to watch the sound of the awful traffic when commenting on busy streets. Better don't. The two trips to Lucky Lucky visa agency were a real shocker: exhaust noise and raised, general volume.
Hello Govna,Very informative vid,A lot of great detail on visa’s👍But like you said you need to checkout these places before commital.Enjoyed ❤️
I've been living/working in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand for the past 23 years. Now that I start to get my UK state pension, I considered which Asian country to live in:
1 – The Philippines. Being a scientist, I was accepted by the PI SRRV program on their SRRV Extended Courtesy visa, which like ex-military, only requires a $1,500 deposit. I paid that and was halfway through doing the paperwork when I had second thoughts! Why? Because, to be honest, I have heard nothing good about food and safety and over-population and cleanliness in the PI. So I bailed..
2 – Thailand. I have Thai family, speak Thai etc. Thailand is (in my opinion), a great place to retire if you're prepared to keep 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. I was not! So Thailand is off my list.
3 – Myanmar. Most of my teaching has been in Myanmar. I love the country, but it's not a place to retire. There is no retirement visa option, there's a civil war, there are daily power cuts etc. So not a retirement option.
4 – I don't usually visit Vietnam, so I can't comment on the availability of retirement (annual) visas. I don't think there is such an option..
5 – Laos. Laos is beautiful, cheap and it's possible to get a work visa stamped 'No work allowed'!! In other words, a 'retirement' visa. I've lived in Laos many times, and it would be my number 1 choice, except that as a licenced amateur radio operator in Laos, I've had nothing but problems from the local Lao police, who seem to think I'm some sort of spy! (I was deported from Laos on Christmas Day 2025). But if you're not a radio ham or spy, you'll do fine in Laos 🙂
6 – Cambodia. And so to Cambodia. This is my preferred option. An easy retirement visa without financial requirements, low cost of living, friendly locals and so on. So this is where I'll be moving to in a few weeks 🙂
One final point to consider if you are in receipt of a UK state pension. Your pension will be 'frozen', ie never increase in value if you live in any of the above countries EXCEPT The Philippines, where it's index-linked, just like the UK. This was the reason why I considered retiring in the PI, but the idea of eating Balut finally put me off that plan!
Give your sex life a fillip: understand that ALL sexual deeds are transactional, whether they are a quick, ST hour at ฿1,000, an overnighter at ฿2,500, or marriage-dues, at half your net worth — at least in the West. I first visited Thailand in 1979 and understood the deal. My parents were together for 57 years and never did. I groan every time you dismiss the online hoo-kahs, because they are really the answer for the itinerant-undecided, or already-fathers. Leading non-hookahs on is poor form.
As Mick'n'Keef crooned: "You can't always get what you want … but if you try, sometimes — you get what you need." Look at yourself: you are 64 and Lovely Rita wouldn't coin you in without cash, marriage or property. In SE Asia, you need to either pay per view, or pay a monthly allowance. Hint: the shorter the tryst, the cheaper they fall. If you need extra money, take a look at MambaFX on YT. For a squid a day you can look over his shoulder to see the same trades he uses to fund his luxury life. Avoid Colombiana GFs though!
Malaysia MM2H is too costly, Thailand requires 3 months reporting, which is not good for an old man like me.