Emigrate: with the right plan
In Thailand, a company in which foreigners hold half or more of the shares counts as foreign under the Foreign Business Act and needs a licence for many sectors. People moving there therefore often hold their company in Hong Kong or Singapore, where they can own it 100%. We plan the visa, the company formation and support with account opening as one plan, aligned with your future residence.
Last updated: 11/2026
Live where life is beautiful. Anchor where your assets are secure.
Thailand, the Philippines or Malaysia: your visa of choice, low cost of living, sunshine. But: companies there are often capped at 49% foreign ownership, accounts remain guest accounts, and rules change fast.
Hong Kong or Singapore: your company 100% yours, your banking, legal systems stable for decades. And close by: two to three flight hours, practically the same time zone.
Why emigrating is more than just a visa
That is why we choose the right location for each purpose: the country you want to live in, the company in a stable jurisdiction that fits your residence, and accounts with established banks. A local immigration consultant takes care of the visa; we plan the foundation for your life abroad at the same time: company formation, accounting and support with account opening, all coordinated.
Where should your new life take place?
Tap a country and see instantly how living and foundation work together.
Thailand: DTV for remote work for employers or clients abroad, Privilege (formerly Elite) for long stays, retirement from age 50. We find the visa that fits your new life.
Hong Kong or Singapore: in Thailand, foreign ownership of companies is capped at 49% in many sectors (Foreign Business Act), and rules there change faster than you can move. Your company and your account stay untouched by all that, just a short flight away.
Typical Profiles & Situations
Do not build your relocation around only one visa or one bank
Many people relocate with one residence permit, one bank account and no real backup plan. But visa rules can change, renewals can become stricter, and banks may restrict access when residence, source of funds or risk profile changes. A good relocation plan should include structure, banking, tax coordination and a practical Plan B. Strasia helps clients build a more resilient international setup, combining residence planning, company structure, banking access and ongoing compliance.
Common Risks & Hidden Complexity
Restricted banking as a foreigner
In many popular emigration countries, foreigners on visas have limited access to banking services. Accounts can be frozen without warning, international transfers are limited and credit cards are often not approved. On top of that, from 11 January 2027 the EU banking rule CRD VI (Article 21c) applies: banks outside the EU may then offer deposits, lending and guarantees to clients in the EU only through an authorised branch in the EU. Exempt are contracts concluded before 11 July 2026, pure investment services and the narrow case where you approach the bank on your own initiative. As long as your residence is in the EU, this affects you; our page on the EU banking rule shows what it means for your account.
Company ownership only with a licence or partner
In Thailand, a company with a foreign majority counts as foreign under the Foreign Business Act and needs a licence for many sectors; without one, the foreign share usually stays below half and a Thai partner holds the rest. In the Philippines, too, many sectors are restricted for foreigners. That creates dependencies that a company in Hong Kong or Singapore avoids.
Tax traps
Those who emigrate without planning the tax consequences can end up paying twice: in the home country and the new country. The right order and structure help avoid this: what matters is when you give up your residence, where the company is managed from and what the double taxation agreement covers.
Real estate ownership restrictions
In many Asian countries, foreigners cannot own land. Those who do not know this invest in structures that offer no real ownership protection.
Emigrating to Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia or Dubai: and where does the company go?
Four typical set-ups from our advisory practice, not one-off cases, but patterns that prove themselves again and again. Whether you emigrate, relocate or simply move abroad for a few years: the principle stays the same.
The Thailand Route
DTV for remote work for employers or clients abroad, Privilege for long stays, retirement from age 50: Thailand has a visa for almost every stage of life. Residence is not a right to work.
The Foreign Business Act caps foreign company ownership at 49% in many sectors, and visa rules have been adjusted repeatedly. The company therefore typically sits in Hong Kong or Singapore: 100% ownership, stable law, international banking.
Bangkok–Hong Kong just under three flight hours, Bangkok–Singapore just over two, only one hour of time difference, no night shifts.
The Philippines Route
SRRV with permanent residence rights, alternatively a work or investor visa, plus English-speaking daily life and a low cost of living.
Many industries are partially restricted for foreigners, and banks treat newcomers as guests for years. The foundation, a Singapore company or a Hong Kong Limited, remains untouched by any of this.
Manila–Hong Kong around two flight hours, Manila–Singapore three and a half. Your assets are close, not on the other side of the world.
The Malaysia Route
MM2H for long-term residence, whether big-city life in Kuala Lumpur or island living on Penang. Modern infrastructure, international schools, English widely spoken.
Malaysia is more liberal than its neighbours: a local Sdn. Bhd. is possible for foreigners, and with Labuan the country has its own international financial centre. Depending on your business model, the company fits in Malaysia itself, in Labuan or in neighbouring Singapore.
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore is about one flight hour, same time zone. A financial centre can hardly be closer.
The Dubai Route
Investor visa or free zone visa, no personal income tax in the UAE (your tax residence remains decisive), international infrastructure: for many, the pragmatic fresh start.
The special case: visa and company are linked here, because the free zone company can sponsor your residence visa. For diversification, some add an account in Hong Kong or Singapore.
A hub between worlds: Frankfurt and Singapore are both six to seven flight hours away, for anyone who wants to bridge Europe and Asia.
Your destination not listed? We also guide emigrants to Singapore and Hong Kong and compare the options with you.
Our Complete Migration Package
Our Process
Initial Consultation & Situation Analysis
60 Min.Where do you live? Where do you want to go? What is your professional situation? What assets do you have? We analyze everything and develop a plan.
Structure Planning
After the callWe recommend the right combination of target country, company location and banking location. Each building block is tailored to your situation.
Implementation
Set by the authoritiesWe coordinate the visa application, company formation, account openings and cards in parallel. The authorities and banks set the timeline; we tell you the current state in the call.
Ongoing Support
OngoingAccounting, tax returns, visa renewals and regular review of your overall structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which taxes do I pay if I emigrate to Asia?
What is the difference to a normal immigration consultant?
Can I open a bank account in the target country as a foreigner?
What happens to my pension if I emigrate?
How long does the entire process take?
I am a retiree with savings in stocks: why do I need more than a retirement visa?
How do I get a work visa if no employer in the destination country hires me?
What about taxes when leaving: set up the company before or after the move?
Moving to Asia from the UK, Canada or Australia: what should I settle before I leave?
Contact our Hong Kong Team
Tell us what it is about: company formation, accounting and tax, or a visa. You will hear from us within one business day.
Strasia Group · Hong Kong
Office
Unit 1005, 10/F, Boss Commercial Centre
28 Ferry Street, Yau Ma Tei
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Send a Message
All fields marked * are required.