Veterans in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has the biggest concentration of U.S. veterans living abroad. Low costs, warm weather and established vet communities around the old bases keep people coming. The Philippines is the only country in the world with a VA clinic.
Southeast Asia side by side
| Country | Key fact | Long stay | Monthly cost (single) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | Manila | SRRV | USD 1,000–1,600/mo |
| Thailand | 30 days | Non-O / O-A | USD 1,000–1,800/mo |
| Vietnam | 90-day e-visa | None | USD 900–1,400/mo |
| Cambodia | 30-day visa | ER extension | USD 900–1,400/mo |
| Malaysia | 90 days | MM2H | USD 1,000–1,700/mo |
| Indonesia (Bali) | e-VOA 30 days | Retirement KITAS | USD 1,200–2,000/mo |
| Laos | 30 days | None | USD 800–1,200/mo |
Living in Southeast Asia?
Every country here has its own group in the community. Find vets near you.
Explore Southeast Asia
Philippines
The only country with a VA clinic, English widely spoken, and deep veteran communities around Clark and Subic.
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Thailand
Retirement visas for 50+, world-class private hospitals, and the largest veteran community in mainland Southeast Asia.
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Vietnam
Low cost, beach cities like Da Nang, and a meaningful place for many Vietnam-era veterans.
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Cambodia
Simple renewable retirement extensions and a very low cost of living, with limited healthcare.
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Malaysia
English widely spoken, excellent hospitals in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, and the long-stay MM2H program.
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Indonesia (Bali)
Bali's Sanur and Ubud draw retirees, with a retirement KITAS for those 55 and over.
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Laos
Quiet and inexpensive, but with very limited healthcare. Most expats use Thai hospitals across the Mekong.
Read the guide →
Living in Southeast Asia, or planning to?
Each of these 7 countries has its own group in the free community. Ask the vets who already live there.
- 7 country groups in Southeast Asia
- Meetups where vets actually live
- Free for every branch and era
