Singapore, South Korea & New Zealand: Asia-Pacific's Rising Visa Powerhouses
The Asia-Pacific Talent Race Heats Up
While Europe and North America dominate global mobility headlines, three Asia-Pacific nations are making bold moves to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and tech talent. In 2025–2026, Singapore, South Korea, and New Zealand have each overhauled or expanded key visa programs — signaling a regional talent war that professionals should pay attention to.
Singapore: The ONE Pass and Tech.Pass
Singapore has long been Asia's premier business destination, but its immigration system is becoming even more aggressive about attracting top-tier talent.
ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass)
- Launched: January 2023, expanded in 2025
- Target: Exceptional individuals in business, arts, sports, science, and technology
- Salary threshold: SGD $30,000/month (fixed) in the past 12 months, or demonstrable outstanding achievements
- Duration: 5 years (the longest initial work pass Singapore has ever issued)
- Unique feature: Holders can work for multiple employers simultaneously, start businesses, and move freely between roles — no single employer tie
Tech.Pass
- Target: Experienced tech professionals — founders, technical leaders, and senior engineers
- Requirements: Must meet 2 of 3 criteria: (1) SGD $20,000/month salary in the last year; (2) 5+ years experience in a leading tech company; (3) led development of a product with 100,000+ monthly active users or $100M+ revenue
- Duration: 2 years, renewable
- Key advantage: Like ONE Pass, holders can operate with multiple companies and start ventures
"Singapore's ONE Pass is unprecedented in Asia — a 5-year pass with no employer tie and full entrepreneurial freedom. It's designed to compete directly with the US H-1B and UK Global Talent visa."
South Korea: D-8 Startup Visa Expansion
South Korea has been quietly building one of Asia's most founder-friendly visa frameworks.
2025–2026 Changes
- D-8 visa expansion: The corporate investment visa now includes a dedicated startup track with lower capital requirements (KRW 100M, ~$73,000)
- Startup incubator visa: Partnership with 30+ government-certified incubators that can sponsor foreign founders
- OASIS program: Open to all nationalities — provides mentoring, co-working space, and a 2-year visa for selected startup founders
- E-7 Point System: Revised to favor tech workers with Korean language skills or Korean university degrees
Why It Matters
South Korea's startup ecosystem is surging — Seoul is now home to 18 unicorns. The government is backing this growth with immigration policy, aiming to attract 10,000 foreign entrepreneurs by 2028. For founders targeting the Korean or broader East Asian market, the D-8 offers a cost-effective base with excellent infrastructure.
New Zealand: The Revamped Skilled Migrant Category
New Zealand completely overhauled its primary skilled worker residence pathway in October 2025.
Key Changes
- Simplified points system: Reduced from 100+ factors to a streamlined set of criteria focused on skills, work experience, qualifications, and age
- New pass mark: 6 points (previously 160+ in the old system)
- Salary-based tiers: Workers earning above the median wage ($31.61/hr) get 3 points; those above 1.5x median ($47.42/hr) get 4 points; above 2x ($63.22/hr) get 6 points (auto-qualify)
- Green List: 85+ occupations in immediate shortage — healthcare workers, engineers, IT professionals, and trades people qualify for a direct pathway to residence
- Regional bonus: Working outside Auckland adds points
What It Means in Practice
| Profile | Points | Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer earning $85k/yr in Auckland | 4 (salary) + 1 (qualification) = 5 | Close — needs 1 more point |
| Nurse earning $72k/yr on Green List in Wellington | 3 (salary) + 3 (Green List) = 6 | Yes — auto-qualifies |
| Data analyst earning $95k/yr in Christchurch | 4 (salary) + 1 (regional) + 1 (qualification) = 6 | Yes — auto-qualifies |
Regional Comparison
| Factor | Singapore | South Korea | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | High-earning professionals & tech leaders | Startup founders & entrepreneurs | Skilled workers & healthcare professionals |
| Key visa | ONE Pass / Tech.Pass | D-8 Startup Visa | Skilled Migrant Category |
| Salary requirement | SGD $20–30k/month | KRW 100M investment | NZD $31.61+/hr |
| Duration | 2–5 years | 2 years (renewable) | Resident visa |
| PR pathway | Yes (after 2+ years) | Yes (F-5 visa after 5 years) | Immediate (resident visa) |
| Tax rate | 0–22% (no capital gains tax) | 6–45% | 10.5–39% |
| English-friendly? | Very high | Moderate (improving) | Native English |
The Bottom Line
The Asia-Pacific region is no longer a secondary consideration for global talent. Singapore is competing for the world's highest earners, South Korea is courting founders, and New Zealand is fast-tracking skilled workers. Together, these three countries represent the most significant immigration policy shift in the region in a decade.
For professionals and entrepreneurs whose sights have been set exclusively on North America or Europe, it's time to look east.