Easiest places to move in Asia on visa friction

Cities in Asia where the long-stay paperwork is rated easy and processing is short — ranked by visa friction first, then how liveable and affordable the landing is.

Methodology: Only cities with an easy-rated long-stay visa process qualify; ranked by processing time, then a blend of affordability, expat scene and safety.

  1. 1. Chiang Rai, Thailand

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $690/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $690/mo all-in.

  2. 2. Batumi, Georgia

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $940/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $940/mo all-in.

  3. 3. Tbilisi, Georgia

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $850/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $850/mo all-in.

  4. 4. Siem Reap, Cambodia

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $850/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $850/mo all-in.

  5. 5. Kampot, Cambodia

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $810/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $810/mo all-in.

  6. 6. Pai, Thailand

    Visa: Easy · No wait · $810/mo

    Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $810/mo all-in.

  7. 7. Pokhara, Nepal

    Visa: Easy · ~1 wks · $640/mo

    Easy visa process (~1 weeks) and about $640/mo all-in.

  8. 8. Luang Prabang, Laos

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $780/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $780/mo all-in.

  9. 9. Yerevan, Armenia

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $740/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $740/mo all-in.

  10. 10. Galle, Sri Lanka

    Visa: Easy · ~1 wks · $830/mo

    Easy visa process (~1 weeks) and about $830/mo all-in.

  11. 11. Gyumri, Armenia

    Visa: Very Easy · ~1 wks · $640/mo

    Very Easy visa process (~1 weeks) and about $640/mo all-in.

  12. 12. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

    Visa: Very Easy · No wait · $770/mo

    Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $770/mo all-in.

Frequently asked questions

Easiest places to move in Asia on visa friction — which city is #1?

Chiang Rai, Thailand tops this list. Very Easy visa process (no formal wait) and about $690/mo all-in. Batumi and Tbilisi round out the top three.

How is this ranking calculated?

Only cities with an easy-rated long-stay visa process qualify; ranked by processing time, then a blend of affordability, expat scene and safety. 44 catalog cities in Asia qualified for this list; the top 12 are shown. Scores are catalog averages, not personalised — Jonzy re-ranks every city for your own income, passport and lifestyle when you sign in.

How much does it cost to live in the top city in Asia?

Chiang Rai runs about $690/month all-in for one person — rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities and everyday extras. See the Chiang Rai city guide for the full cost breakdown, visa options and FAQ.