15 Jobs You Can Do Living In Southeast Asia

Want to turn your holiday into a long term stay in Southeast Asia? Check out our list of jobs you can do in your new home or while on the road. Remember to do your homework and research the legal and work permit criteria for each country before you take the plunge and embark on your new adventure.

Dive instructor

Many people head off on holiday to an idyllic tropical island only to find themselves still there years later. Fully qualified dive instructors are not only some of the highest paid jobs available on islands like Koh Tao in Thailand, it is also a skill that is easily transferred to anywhere else that is by the sea.

Journalist

Teacher

Teaching is the most popular job for foreigners living in Southeast Asia. Teaching positions are also some of the most stable jobs as they come with the security of a regular paycheck, visa and work permit.

Photographer

Like journalists, foreign photographers are valued and regularly employed for local and international media outlets. If you prefer food, people or nature photography there are also plenty of jobs going in those genres too.

DJ

If you’ve been spinning decks back home then why not sign up for a guest DJ night wherever you find yourself in Southeast Asia. The allure of an “international” DJ will likely be welcomed with open arms.

Tour guide

A slightly less popular option but a great opportunity if you speak multiple languages or are working for a company from your country that specializes in tours in your mother tongue. It is also a great way to travel and see parts of Southeast Asia that you might not otherwise visit.

Web designer

Web designers can be employed in local companies or work freelance for their own clients, the option is yours. If you prefer to keep mobile and make Dollars or Pounds rather than Baht or Dong, it might be wise to secure a few clients back home.

Translation

If you are blessed with a knack for languages, there could be money in it for you. Local and international companies hire translators for both in person and online work. Craft a resume to highlight your skills and get applying.

Bar tending

Like many professions, bartending is illegal for foreigners in some countries like Thailand so it pays to check the countries regulations before you book a plane ticket. Often bars in places like Sihanoukville in Cambodia or Vietnam offer a low wage but include free accommodation and food.

Hotel and resort management

It’s not only the world’s most luxurious hotel brands that higher multicultural teams, it’s also local boutique resorts and guesthouses. Pick your location and you’re likely to find an opportunity that enables you to live your dreams.

Charity work

There are numerous charities across Southeast Asia doing inspiring work. If you are interested in working in this field it pays to check in regularly into the relevant job sites to see what positions are currently on offer.

Call centre work

If you are looking to stay in the region for a while, call centre work might be a great option for you. Call centres with international clients often have a base in Southeast Asia to cut down on operation costs and typically hire English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speakers to field their calls from the UK, Europe or America.

Fitness instructor

From Zumba to CrossFit and everything in between, there are numerous expats teaching fitness classes in the region. Many soul searchers ditch their stressful nine to five and become yoga teachers in the jungle mountains of Chiang Mai in Thailand or in the spiritual hub of Ubud in Bali, Indonesia.

Freelance writing and editing

Live the nomadic dream and make your work location independent. Make your office for the day a coworking space in Chiang Mai or work from the beaches in Vietnam, the world is your oyster!

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is the latest craze in the nomad scene. If you have a product in mind and are savvy with Amazon and Bitcoin, this might be the jackpot you’ve been waiting for.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.