Asia entry rules, checked at the source
Practical, fact-checked guidance for moving through Asia with more confidence.
Start with entry rulesEvery article is dated, and every rule we state is traceable to an official source.
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Japan
Flying skis to Japan is usually cheapest. Luggage Forward quoted USD 204 for skis from Hong Kong to Niseko, and Yamato covers the last leg inside Japan.
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Malaysia
Malaysia Airlines allows 7kg in the Economy cabin and 20 to 35kg checked by fare brand. Extra bags cost 20% less online; no counter price is published.
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Malaysia
Who can enter the three KLIA Golden Lounges by cabin, Enrich tier and oneworld status, the three-hour limit, guest rules and pass prices from MYR 169.
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Malaysia
Six prepaid Economy flights, from MYR 869 in Malaysia or MYR 1,739 across ASEAN. Only Enrich members can buy, and flights unused after 365 days are forfeited.
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Hong Kong
Cathay has cancelled its Dubai and Riyadh flights until 31 January 2027 and waives change and refund charges on existing tickets. Who qualifies, the deadlines, and how to ask.
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Asia
Join ALL Accor+ Explorer by 31 October 2026 and get 3,000 Reward Points, worth about USD 65. Who qualifies, what the points are worth where you live, and whether to bother.
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Indonesia
Indonesia lets each arriving passenger bring in USD 500 of personal goods duty-free, 1 litre of alcohol from age 21 and 200 cigarettes from 18. The customs declaration now sits inside the All Indonesia arrival card, alcohol and tobacco over the limit is destroyed rather than taxed, and cash from IDR 100 million must be declared.
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Malaysia
A Malaysian tax resident's foreign pension is exempt when it is brought in, if it was taxed where it arose or left untaxed there for a listed reason. The law now runs the exemption to 2036; the tax office's guideline still says 2026.
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Thailand
The state-owned membership once called Thailand Elite costs THB 650,000 to THB 5,000,000 and asks for no age, income or insurance test. Its visa runs five years, but each entry is a one-year stay.
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Vietnam
Vietnam bans importing and using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco. Using one is fined VND 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 under a decree in force since 15 May 2026.
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Thailand
Since 20 June 2026 every international departure from Thailand's six AOT airports carries a 1,120 baht passenger service charge, collected inside the airfare. A separate 1,000 baht departure tax on all nationalities is open for public comment until 29 October 2026 and is not law.
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UAE
A five-year residence for foreigners aged 55 and over, with no sponsor. Dubai asks for AED 240,000 a year of income; the federal portal says AED 180,000 elsewhere, and ICP's own pages print both figures.
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Read the guideNew section
Retirement visas, the money tests behind them, property rules and health cover across seven countries, in 27 guides read from the governments that set each rule.
Asia
Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia each run routes for retirees. Age, money, property, insurance and time in the country decide which are open to you, and in that order.
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Thailand
Three retirement routes open at 50 and every one is tested in baht. The one-year O-A also wants THB 3 million of health cover and an insurer's signature on a Thai form.
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Philippines
The SRRV gives indefinite stay for a US$15,000 deposit if you are 50 and draw a pension. Without one it is US$30,000, and the money has to arrive from a bank abroad.
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From Getting Your Skis to Japan from Asia: Fly Them, Ship Them or Send Them On
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