Asia-Pacific
Key trends shaping Asia-Pacific's labor and immigration landscape
Modernization and digitization
Across the Asia-Pacific region, Immigration authorities continue to advance modernization efforts, particularly in support of digital nomadism and remote work.
Taiwan
Taiwan officially launched its Digital Nomad Visitor Visa in January 2025 through the National Development Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This new Visa category was officially open to applications in May this year. The visa allows eligible foreign professionals from visa-exempt countries to reside in Taiwan for up to six months, with in-country applications for extension possible. Eligibility requirements include proof of remote work, international health insurance, and a minimum average monthly deposit of USD 10,000 over the preceding six months. Authorities retain full discretion over visa issuance and extensions.
Philippines
In the Philippines, Executive Order No. 86 came into effect on April 25, 2025, establishing a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). The visa enables qualified foreign nationals to live in the country for up to one year while performing remote work for clients or employers outside the Philippines. The DNV is part of the government’s broader digital economy strategy and marks a significant policy shift in Southeast Asia toward supporting location-independent professionals.
Thailand
Thailand, meanwhile, has made strides in streamlining entry procedures through the introduction of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which became mandatory for all non-Thai nationals from May 1, 2025. The system, designed to centralize and digitize immigration data, requires travelers to complete an online form within three days prior to arrival.
Travel and document requirements
Visa and travel policies across the region have become more dynamic in recent months, reflecting a mix of national security considerations and efforts to attract inbound tourism.
India
India has suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals following the April 2025 terror incidents in Pahalgam. This suspension includes the revocation of all existing valid visas except for medical visas, which remained valid through April 29. India has also reduced diplomatic staffing in Pakistan and closed the Attari land border until further notice. However, Long-Term Visas (LTVs) for Pakistani Hindu nationals remain valid, underscoring the selective nature of the restrictions.
China
China has significantly expanded its visa-free regime. Starting June 1, 2025, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay became eligible for 30-day visa-free stays for tourism, business, or academic purposes. From June 9, the same privileges were extended to nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. These exemptions are currently set to remain in effect until June 2026 and reflect China’s strategic use of immigration policy to strengthen diplomatic and trade relations.
The Philippines
The Philippines has also revised its entry policies to boost tourism and commercial ties with India. Effective June 8, 2025, Indian nationals may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days, provided they meet specific documentation requirements. A longer 30-day visa-free stay is available for Indian nationals holding valid visas or residence permits from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Schengen states, Singapore, or Japan. This move forms part of a wider initiative by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to expand inbound mobility from key markets.
Labor market regulation and compliance
Several jurisdictions have introduced or clarified employer obligations around foreign labour, with a focus on localization, transparency, and post-arrival reporting.
The Philippines
In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Department Order No. 248-A on June 5, 2025, supplementing and amending the previously published DO 248. The revised guidelines introduce stricter conditions for securing Alien Employment Permits (AEPs), including a mandatory Labour Market Test through newspaper job advertisements. They also reinforce requirements for Skills Development or Understudy Training Programs, particularly for employers operating in sectors designated as strategic or enjoying fiscal incentives under national investment frameworks. Renewals of existing AEPs now require submission of training plans within 60 days of filing, supported by affidavits of undertaking where necessary. Ongoing compliance must be demonstrated through semi-annual or annual reports co-signed by the foreign national and local understudies, outlining competencies gained.
Malaysia
Separately, Malaysia has introduced a cooling-off period for employers found in breach of immigration regulations. Effective July 1, 2025, companies with non-compliant expatriate submissions face a six-month suspension on new applications by the Expatriate Services Division (ESD). This policy is intended to preserve the integrity of the system amid a rising volume of errors and suspected abuses, and may have significant implications for workforce planning in sectors reliant on foreign talent.
Broader policy trends
Governments across the region are recalibrating their immigration regimes to reflect a post-pandemic economic landscape increasingly shaped by remote work, geopolitical tensions, and talent competition. Thailand’s digital arrival infrastructure, the Philippines’ clear focus on balancing openness with labour market safeguards, and China’s strategic visa liberalization each point to a regional trend of increased sophistication in immigration governance. At the same time, India’s suspension of mobility for Pakistani nationals highlights the persistent role of political tensions in shaping access.
Employers operating in APAC are encouraged to monitor these developments closely. Digitization is improving efficiency, but procedural complexity is increasing, especially around work permits and labour compliance. Understanding and anticipating changes in visa categories, eligibility, and reporting obligations will remain critical to maintaining workforce continuity in the second half of 2025.
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Cherie Wright
Partner
Alice Zhong
Senior Associate