Do Southeast Asians Want a Common EU-Style Visa?

Yes, there has been growing interest and discussion among Southeast Asian countries—and especially among workers and some policymakers—for a common work visa system similar to the European Union's freedom of movement. However, as of now, no such visa exists under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) framework, and implementing one faces significant challenges.

Key Points to Consider:

1. The Idea Has Public and Economic Appeal

• Many Southeast Asians, particularly skilled and semi-skilled workers from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia, see the benefit of a shared regional work visa.

• A common visa would:

o Ease labor mobility within ASEAN

o Improve job access in wealthier member states like Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand

o Help bridge labor shortages and reduce illegal migration

2. ASEAN Has Discussed Labor Mobility – But Progress Is Limited

• ASEAN has signed the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) agreement, which theoretically supports labor mobility, especially for skilled professions.

• But in practice:

o Only 8 professional sectors (like medicine, engineering, nursing, architecture) are included in Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)

o These MRAs are limited, bureaucratic, and not widely implemented

o No general or low-skilled labor mobility framework currently exists

3. Diverse Economies and Immigration Policies

• A major barrier is the economic disparity between member countries:

o Countries like Singapore and Brunei are high-income

o Others, like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, are low-income

• This leads to uneven migration flows, and wealthier countries are reluctant to open borders without strict controls

4. Concerns About Brain Drain and Domestic Employment

• Countries fear losing talent (brain drain) or being overwhelmed by incoming workers.

• There are also concerns about:

o Wage suppression

o Job competition for locals

o Social and legal issues around migrant worker rights

5. Singapore and Malaysia's Controlled Labor Systems

• These countries rely on foreign workers, especially in construction, domestic help, and services

• But they maintain strict visa regimes, and are unlikely to support open borders without bilateral controls

6. Growing Youth and Regional Workforce Push for It

• Young professionals and worker organizations in Southeast Asia are increasingly advocating for:

o A transparent, regional visa system

o Easier access to temporary or seasonal jobs

o Skill portability across ASEAN countries

• The demand is real, but political will is still developing

Summary:

Many Southeast Asians do desire a common work visa—especially to ease movement for economic, professional, and personal opportunities, much like the EU model. However, ASEAN is far from implementing it, due to economic disparities, migration concerns, and lack of political consensus. While the demand is real and growing, especially among younger workers and labor exporters, such a system would require major policy reform and regional cooperation to become a reality.