Oct. 29, 2009
Asia
PLUS:
- Celebrating The First Wine Of The Season--Le Primeur In The Other South Of France
- How To Establish Residency In Ecuador...
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Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader,
"Vicki and I recently decided we're going to spend more time in Malaysia, India, and southern China," writes Intrepid Correspondent Paul Tehrorst. "We love all three places--the weather, people, culture, things to do, food, and so on. Those are personal reasons, and you may have other views. But I can point to some objective reasons to prefer these countries, too, if Asia is your thing.
"First, India, China, and Malaysia offer low costs of living, at least outside Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and a few other Chinese and Indian cities.
"Second, Americans and many others can enter Malaysia and stay 90 days without a visa. After 90 days, you can cross the border to Thailand, say, or to Singapore or Indonesia, and return for another 90 days. India issues 10-year, multiple-entry visas with each entry good for six months. These India visas cost US$150 plus processing and apparently are available only to Americans who apply in the United States. But once you have the visa, you're set for a long while. China, too, has been easing visa rules.
"Ease of entry makes a big difference these days. Many Third World countries are increasing visa fees, renewal fees, exit fees, and so on.
"If you want to stay a while, figure between US$100 and US$200 for visas in most Asian countries, often with only one entry per visa. Ouch. In the past year, using Chiang Mai as our Asian base of operations, I figure Vicki and I have spent more money on visas and related fees than we have on airfares.
"Third, discount carrier Air Asia offers cheap air travel. Air Asia makes its base in Kuala Lumpur and expands its route structure regularly, with more and more flights to India. Tony Fernades, the founder of Air Asia, laughs at the state-owned airlines that provide the so-called competition. Tony runs circles around them. Just to give you an idea of some of the low fares on Air Asia, Vicki and I recently flew from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore for US$8 each, including all taxes and fees. We took airport buses to/from the respective airports, adding another US$5 to our door-to-door trip. Total cost was US$13."
Kathleen Peddicord
P.S. With Paul and Vicki's help, we are putting the finishing touches on what I'd say amounts to the most entertaining and, at the same time, useful (from the point of view of the would-be foreign resident or retiree) guide to Asia that you'll ever come upon. This region demands your attention right now, for it offers some of the world's most affordable living, and, as Paul points out, it's increasingly open to foreign visitors, even those who'd like to stick around a while. Intrepid Correspondents Paul and Vicki Terhorst have been spending time in this exotic part of the world for more than three decades. You'll be delighted by their insightful (and real-time) reports. Coming soon.
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"I'm back over in Cessenon-sur-Orb in the Languedoc region of
France (the 'Other South of France')," writes Correspondent from that part of the world Lucy Culpepper, "savoring the beautiful fall weather during this All Saints vacation. The daytime temperatures hover around 68 degrees, the air is crisp and clear, and the views across the Orb Valley to the Haut Languedoc National Park are breathtaking.
"On my last visit, at the end of summer, the grape growers were hard at work gathering in the crop and zipping around on tractors loaded to the brim with juicy grapes. Now the vine leaves are just about clinging on and the rolling countryside looks like an artist's palette loaded with russet, burgundy, ochre, and green. There is a peace about the countryside, as the land sits quietly and the locals settle down for a well-earned rest; many restaurants and shops are closed until April when the early visitors will return.
"We went to the village wine co-operative to sample the first wine from this season--Le Primeur, a wine sold before it is bottled and often bought as a 'future' (investment). Delicious roasted local chestnuts were served and there was a buzz about the whole place. The expectation for a good year is high, as there was relatively high rainfall in the spring, the summer was hot and dry, and there were no summer storms--all good wine-producing conditions. This area of the Languedoc--the Hérault--will now wait with baited breath until the first whites are bottled mid-2010 and the first reds mid-2011.
"This is a glorious time of year in this part of France. If you are in Europe, I encourage you to make time to see this part of this country at this time of year. The closest airport is Bezier Cap d'Agde, and the low-cost airlines are offering good deals. For example, two adults could fly here from the UK on Ryanair for about 62 pounds (take care to read the 'fees' carefully before committing, as charges for luggage can sometimes be more than the ticket!)."
"Kathleen, do you know whether a person needs to have a police report and a birth certificate certified by an Ecuadorian Embassy in the States prior to going to
Ecuador to take up residency?"
-- Karin B., United States
You can enter Ecuador as a tourist and remain in the country on your tourist visa up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer, yes, you'll need to apply for formal residency. All documents required for this process, including your birth certificate, police report from your home town, and marriage certificate if you're married, must be authenticated by the Ecuadorian consulate in the country where the documents were issued.
Full details for establishing residency in Ecuador (as well as 17 other top overseas retirement havens) are included in our "Next Step Guide to Living Your Dream: The Perks, Privileges, and Peace of Mind of Residency in the World's Top 18 Overseas Havens."
Take a look here.
