Are Internships in Asia Paid?

Quick answer: Most host-company internships in Asia are unpaid or carry a small stipend. Asia Internship Program (AIP) never promises pay. Some hosts offer a stipend, transport or meals, and that is the company's decision. What we do include is placement, visa assistance and 24/7 emergency support.

It is a fair question, and the honest answer is that pay is the exception. This guide explains what to expect, why, and how to plan your money. AIP has supported 15,000+ students since 2013, and the question comes up on almost every call.

What this means by destination

Here is what we can say for each place. Where the rule depends on the host company and your visa, we say so, and your career advisor confirms it on your free call.

• Japan: most international internships in Japan are unpaid, and we can't promise pay.
• South Korea: whether you are paid depends on the host company and your visa, and your career advisor tells you on the call.
• Singapore: some companies pay a stipend, but many internships are unpaid, and the visa rules are strict.
• Thailand: most international internships are unpaid, so budget for food, local transport and personal spending.
• Malaysia: most internships are unpaid, but daily life in Kuala Lumpur costs much less than in Singapore or Tokyo.
• Vietnam: whether you are paid depends on the host company and your visa, and your career advisor tells you on the call.

Why most internships are unpaid

There are two main reasons.

• Visa rules. In many destinations the route you enter on does not allow a salary. Your career advisor tells you what applies to your passport and destination on the free call.
• Local norms. In many places, internships are seen as training and experience, often linked to study, rather than as paid jobs. Host companies give you real projects and a reference, and you give your time and effort.

Some hosts still offer a stipend, transport or meals. We treat these as a bonus, never as part of the plan, and we don't promise them.

What AIP includes instead

Your program fee does not buy a salary. It pays for the work that makes the internship possible and for your support while you are there. Every program includes your internship placement, visa assistance and 24/7 emergency support. Explorer means we find your internship and support you throughout, and you choose where to live.

• Traveler, our most popular program, includes Standard housing, airport pickup, whatever time you land, and a pre-arrival orientation.
• Pioneer includes Premium housing, airport pickup, a preloaded transport card and SIM card, a first-day drop-off at your office and tours.

See programs and pricing for the details, and how it works for each step from your first call to your first day.

How to budget when pay is not part of the plan

Plan as if you will earn nothing, and treat any stipend as a pleasant surprise. Your program fee is only part of the cost. These are not included in any program:

• Flights.
• Travel and health insurance. Travel and health insurance are not included. We point you to an insurance portal where you can sign up in a few minutes.
• Daily living costs, such as food, local transport and personal spending.
• Visa fees.

Our guide to what an internship in Asia costs walks through the program fee, the extras and typical monthly living costs in five cities, so you can build a real budget before you decide.

A realistic way to think about the value

An unpaid internship is an exchange. You pay for support and access, and you get real work experience in a company abroad, a professional reference and a new network. Some interns are offered a role by their host company afterwards. Pay is never the reason to choose a destination, so compare the work, the city and the total cost instead.

Questions to ask before you commit

• Does this host company offer any stipend, transport or meals, and is that in writing?
• Which visa will I use, and what does it say about pay and other work?
• Which costs are not covered by my program?

You can ask all of these on the free call with a career advisor, and the answers are specific to your passport and destination. There is also more in our FAQ.

FAQs

Can I get a paid internship in Japan?

Most international internships in Japan are unpaid, and we can't promise pay. Whether a host company offers anything, such as a transport allowance, depends on the company and on the visa you use. Your career advisor can tell you what applies to your case on your free call.

Do interns get a stipend in Singapore?

Some companies pay a stipend, but many internships in Singapore are unpaid. It depends on the host company and on your visa, and we check your eligibility before you enroll. Rent is the biggest cost there, and Traveler and Pioneer include housing.

Is an unpaid internship legal?

This depends on the destination and on the visa you use, and we can't give legal advice. We choose host companies and the visa route with these rules in mind, and we explain what applies to you before you pay the deposit, if you are accepted in the program. Ask your career advisor if you want details for your country and passport.

Can I work part-time alongside my internship?

Your visa decides this. Some visas limit or rule out other work, and the rules differ by destination and passport. Ask your career advisor before you plan any part-time job, and don't count on extra income to pay for your stay.

Want to know what applies to you? Book a free call with a career advisor or read how it works.