Top 15 Friendliest Asian Countries: This article examines the fifteen most amicable nations in Asia. You may bypass our comprehensive analysis of nations that extend warm receptions to travelers, expatriates, and immigrants and proceed directly to the list of the five friendliest countries in Asia.
International travel, whether for business or pleasure, is an unforgettable experience. Although tourists have various anticipations when they travel to a foreign country, including architecture, landscape, culture, cuisine, and shopping, it is frequently their interactions with residents that shape an enduring impression of that location.
Moving on, we shall examine the enumeration of the most amicable Asian nations.
15. Score for Sri Lanka: 0.96
Sri Lanka is among the most hospitable nations in Asia. It holds the third position in the Passport Index’s list of hospitable countries. Visa on arrival or electronic travel authorization (eTA) are options provided by the Sri Lankan government to visitors originating from 196 nations.
14. Score for Maldives: 1.00
In 2023, an estimated 1.8 million visitors visited the Maldives. The people of the country are extraordinarily hospitable and go the extra mile to ensure that visitors have an unforgettable time.
13. Score for Cambodia: 1.00
Subsequent in our itinerary is Cambodia, a Southeast Asian nation renowned for its mountainous terrain and low-lying plains. It is ranked joint-first, with the Maldives and a limited number of other nations that provide entry without a visa, utilizing visa on arrival (eTA). In 2023, an estimated 5.4 million tourists visited Cambodia.
12. Score for India: 1.18
Militarized at 0.4% of the population, India ranks eighteenth among the most hospitable nations for immigrants worldwide. The majority of immigrants to India are from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, which are all neighbors. The nation is positioned thirty-first on the HSBC Expat Explorer list of the most desirable destinations for expatriates. Visa-on-arrival (eTA) is an entry method that India extends to tourists from 163 nations.
11. Score for Bahrain: 1.20
According to rankings compiled by Yahoo Finance and Insider Monkey, Bahrain occupied the 21st position among the 30 most amicable nations globally. The island nation situated in West Asia is renowned for its propensity for cultural tolerance and acceptance. Foreign nationals comprise more than 52 percent of Bahrain’s populace. HSBC ranks it as the thirtieth most preferred destination for expatriates. The confluence of these elements renders Bahrain one of the most hospitable nations in Asia.
10. Score for Jordan: 1.23
Jordan is among the most hospitable nations in Asia. It is ranked 27th globally in terms of visa acceptance and provides eTA entry or visa on arrival to visitors from 141 countries. Additionally, it is among the most popular immigrant destinations, with 33.9% of its population consisting of immigrants. Jordan is home to a refugee population of over 675,000 Syrians and between 2 and 3 million Palestinians.
9. Score for Turkey: 1.24
Turkey was a destination for nearly fifty million tourists in 2023. It ranks among the most hospitable nations worldwide and in Asia. Visa on arrival (eTA) or entry authorization is granted to visitors from a maximum of 118 nations. Ankara has recently exempted travelers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico who are embarking on a journey of less than 90 days from the requirement to obtain an e-visa. Additionally, HSBC ranks it among the top locations for expatriate residents.
8. Score for Thailand: 1.32
Thailand was one of the most visited nations worldwide in 2023, with an estimated 27 million visitors. It is among the most hospitable nations in Asia, and travellers can truly appreciate the locals’ benevolence and amiability by visiting prominent tourist destinations such as Phuket and Bangkok. Thailand is positioned forty-first on HBSC’s list of the most desirable nations for expatriates.
7. Score for Taiwan: 1.36
It is not uncommon for visitors to Taiwan to initiate cordial dialogues with unrelated locals, some of whom may perceive this as a chance to hone their English language skills. The citizens of the nation are extraordinarily hospitable and cordial toward foreigners. As of now, visas for visitors from ninety countries are available upon arrival in Taiwan. In addition to its higher standard of living for expatriates, the Asian nation is positioned fifteenth on HSBC’s Expat Explorer rankings.
6. Score for Saudi Arabia: 1. 41
Saudi Arabia ranks sixth on the list of Asia’s kindest nations. It is the most hospitable nation towards immigrants globally, boasting a migrant cohort comprising 38.6% of its population. The monarchy is ranked 39th by HSBC in terms of expat living. According to the Passport Index 2024, Saudi Arabia grants visa-on-arrival (eTA) entry to tourists from 71 nations, thereby facilitating travel. Despite the prevalent religious conservatism in Saudi Arabia, visitors should respect local customs and traditions.
5. Score for Singapore: 1.51
Singapore is among the most hospitable nations in Asia. The country ranks seventeenth on the Passport Index’s 2024 list of the most hospitable nations, as it allows passengers from 164 countries to enter with an eTA. 29% of the population of Singapore consists of expatriates. Singapore is ranked the ninth-best country globally for expatriate living, according to HSBC.
4. Score for Philippines: 1.63
The Philippines, which follows, offers visitors an abundance of picturesque locales to discover and incredibly hospitable and amicable locals. The country offers visitors the option to enter through an eTA or upon arrival, with 159 countries represented. According to an article published by Insider Monkey in 2023, the Philippines is the fourth most amicable nation globally. The complete roster is available here. The Philippines, a renowned Asian nation, ranks 42nd globally on the HSBC Expat Explorer List for its thriving expat community.
3. Score for Vietnam: 1.67
Vietnam is among the most hospitable nations in Asia. The tourism sector of the nation is experiencing significant growth, as evidenced by the receipt of more than 12.6 million visitors in 2023, a threefold increase compared to 2022. Vietnam ranks as the world’s co-first most hospitable nation due to its high visa approval rate, as per the Passport Index 2024. HSBC ranks the Asian nation as the nineteenth most favorable for expatriate living conditions globally.
2. Score for Malaysia: 2.20
Malaysia ranks sixteenth globally and second friendliest in Asia, with a 10.7% migrant population, and is also the sixteenth most welcoming nation globally. Malaysia is the twenty-fiveth finest country for expats to reside, according to HSBC. In 2023, Malaysia attracted 26 million visitors, thanks to a high rate of visa acceptance. The Passport Index 2024 ranks Malaysia as the fourth most hospitable nation globally in the provision of visa-on-arrival and eTA entry for passengers.
1. Score for The Arab Emirates: 2.52
In Asia, the United Arab Emirates is the friendliest nation. Local Emiratis comprise a mere 11.48% of the population of the United Arab Emirates; expatriates claim more than 88% of the share. HSBC ranks it as the fourth most desirable nation for expatriates to relocate to. In 2023, more than seventeen million visitors from around the globe visited the UAE. With a visa processing period of only three to four days, the UAE is an exceptionally convenient travel destination. Furthermore, the country’s warmer climate has rendered it an ideal destination for winter vacations by Western visitors.
