5 Common Jobs for Expats Living in Asia



Asia is a massive continent, and it has become a popular locale for expats to settle down. However, as anyone knows, you need money to live on, and therefore you will probably need a job after relocating. It can seem like a daunting task to find a job in an entirely new place, and in an area in which English is not their first language. However, it is not impossible by any means.

If you are an expat living in Asia, or you are considering making the move, there are absolutely opportunities out there for you. Here are just a few jobs that are common amongst expats in Asia.


1. Teaching English

English is the international language of business – that means there’s high demand for English teachers throughout Asia, specifically in countries like China, Japan, and Taiwan. Not sure where you’d fit in?

There are many resources out there to assist you with getting a job as an English teacher in Asia. You can learn more about teaching overseas with Point to Point Education, an online service that matches teachers with international schools across the continent. No teaching degree is required – all most schools look for is a bachelor’s degree in any subject along with an ESL certification.

Most areas around Asia, particularly popular amongst tourists or that are experiencing rapid growth, will have opportunities for English teachers. Do some research to find international schools in your area!


2. Local Consulting

Being a consultant is a great starting job for anyone living in Asia as an expat. All consulting requires, in most cases, is specialized knowledge in a particular subject and a market willing to pay for your solutions. Common consulting jobs for ex-pats include cross-cultural training for businesses, sales training, IT consulting, marketing strategies, and more.

This is a less intimidating solution, since it is not a “full time” job per se, but rather a project by project basis. It may feel less secure, but it is a great solution for a temporary fix or, if you get into the swing of it, a long-term flexible job.


3. Freelance / Remote Jobs

Some major companies and businesses in your home country might offer the opportunity to work from home – even if your home is now in Asia. Many jobs, especially in technological areas, have remote freelancing tasks where you can make money from home without having to leave the company that is your current employer.

Furthermore, depending on the company and the type of business, you could always attempt to negotiate with your upper management for the same result – to work from home without leaving the company. It all depends on the business, but it is a viable option worth looking into.


4. Hotels & Hostels

In places where tourism is especially popular, there may be an abundance of jobs available for foreigners in local hotels. They want those who are fluent in other languages, especially English, to accommodate visiting tourists. This can include anything from concierges, valets, housekeeping jobs, and more. However, there are also many upper-level opportunities for expats, particularly if you already have management experience.

These are not the easiest jobs to get, but if you manage to land one, they include many great benefits and job security that other jobs may not offer.


5. Tour Guides

In certain areas of Asia, there are tons of tour guide opportunities. They absolutely want English-speaking guides, but you are far more likely to secure a position like this if you also speak another language, such as Spanish or Russian. Bilingual guides are highly coveted, and these positions are great for those who have a love for knowledge and love the areas in which they reside.


Being an expat in Asia, especially a first-time ex-pat, might feel like an intimidating move. In many ways, it is – however, living comfortably in your new locale is not impossible. If you know where to look, there are plenty of jobs available all over Asia. Take the time to do a search, and pursue your new dream in your new home.

4 (na) komento

  1. An online essay service is a website or platform that can write an essay online https://writemy.com/ with academic writing tasks such as, research papers, thesis, dissertations, and other assignments. These services typically employ professional writers with expertise in various subject areas who can produce high-quality custom essays for their clients.

    TumugonBurahin
  2. Another great option for expats is to apply for remote writing jobs related to writing essays, research papers and other papers depending on specialization that you can handle. I had difficulties finding a suitable job when I first moved to Malaysia, so I started to write at https://domypaper.com/ writing service that does homework for students. At first my goal was to just make ends meet, but later on I had such an overwhelming flow of orders that it became an equivalent to a fulltime job, up until I managed to get a position of English translator in Gamud. But sometimes I still miss these times when I earned just enough for everything important and still had the possibilities to live in the schedule I want, and explore my new country.

    TumugonBurahin