International locations are becoming more popular as people explore flexible remote work options. A slower travel pace, exploring new cultures, and spending time in exotic locations tempt many, but you want to ensure you’re legally working in each country you visit.
(After all, remote work should be better for your mental health.)
Here’s a handful of beautiful locations that welcome remote workers with digital nomad visas.
Digital Nomads Aren’t Just Remote Workers
Digital nomads, such as freelancers and entrepreneurs, have taken remote work on the road (and across the pond). While they may hold permanent residence in one country, they travel to other countries to work remotely for an extended period.
Importantly: You can’t work for a local employer on a digital nomad visa. So, “techpats” don’t take away local jobs, but they do contribute to the local economy (in the form of housing, food, shopping, etc.).
The digital nomad life benefits people who want to travel as a way of life and for the countries workers stay in.
Related: 11 Cool Employee Benefits From Leading Remote-First Companies
Do you need a digital nomad visa?
Although some people work on tourist visas, it’s technically illegal in many places.
Getting a digital nomad visa is smart if you plan to do some sort of remote work in another country for an extended time. Digital nomad visas were conceived of and set up for this very purpose.
How does a digital nomad visa work?
5-10 years ago, digital nomads lived and worked in limbo. Work in the foreign country they were visiting wasn’t technically legal, and neither was local employment.
Digital nomad visas offer a more official option, providing a legal framework. This type of visa allows you to stay in another country longer than you’d usually be able to on a tourist visa. It’s also an authorization to work remotely in the country while you’re staying there.
A digital nomad visa allows its holder to work remotely during their stay in a country, but they can’t enter the local labor market. But digital nomad visas can last up to a full year (as opposed to a shorter tourist visa, for example), so you shouldn’t have to worry about renewing your visa.
Digital nomad visas are not a way to avoid paying income taxes. Typically, people on nomad visas pay taxes in their home countries.
This does vary. In some countries, you become a taxable resident if your stay is over a certain number of days.
What are the requirements for a digital nomad visa?
The requirements for a nomad visa vary by country. In general, you’ll need to prove you have a stable income, pay the visa fee, and show proof of international health insurance or travel insurance.
Typical requirements for digital nomad visa eligibility include:
Proof of identity: It might sound obvious, but you’ll need documents that support your identity. You must be over 18 years old and need a valid passport.
Proof of income, proof of funds, or proof of employment: Many countries require digital nomads to prove they earn a certain dollar amount (per month or year). You may have to provide documentation proving you have a set amount in your bank account. This is to ensure you can keep up with the cost of living in the area. Occasionally, you’ll be asked for the name of your employer or an employment agreement to confirm you have a stable source of income (and won’t need a local job to support yourself). The amount and information requested vary greatly depending on the area you’re interested in visiting.
Background check: Countries will want to double-check that you have a clear background with no record of serious crimes, etc.
Appropriate health insurance: Your health insurance probably won’t provide coverage for medical care overseas. That’s why many countries require you to have some type of travel or international health insurance.
Proof of accommodation: Sometimes, you’ll have to provide an address where you’ll be staying while visiting. (This could go hand-in-hand with income requirements to ensure you can afford living accommodations.)
Proof of vaccination: The rules regarding COVID-19 are evolving (and probably will continue to change for some time). You may be asked for proof of full vaccination, be required to quarantine before or after entering the country, or provide a negative COVID-19 test upon entry.
Requirements for a digital nomad visa could change over time and vary widely between countries. For example, some digital nomad visas allow you to bring your family (if income requirements are met), but some don’t. Check well in advance of your trip to make sure you’re checking all of the boxes.
Application process: How do you apply for a digital nomad visa?
First things first: Make sure you understand the rules and requirements for the country you’re hoping to visit. Each country will have a unique application process.
Here’s a basic look at a digital nomad visa application:
Gather necessary documents. This may include your passport, proof of income, health insurance, proof of relationship to accompanying family members, and proof of vaccination. There’s a good chance you’ll need copies of all of these documents.
Fill out the application form. You should be able to apply for a digital nomad visa online. Answer all of the questions and upload digital copies of all required documentation.
Pay the application fee. Fees are usually required to cover the administrative work it takes to process applications, so make sure you’re prepared to pay when you fill out your application.
Make an appointment with an embassy or consulate. After your online application, you’ll probably have to set up and attend a visa appointment at the closest embassy or consulate. Bring your physical documents with you. At the appointment, they will verify your identity, application, and other documents.
Wait for approval. Processing time typically takes one to five months, depending on the country. If you’re approved, you may have to pay an additional visa fee.
Countries That Offer Digital Nomad Visas
Currently, around 47 countries and territories offer some version of a digital nomad visa or have that option in the works. That’s up quite a bit from 2019, when only about 25 countries and territories had a nomad visa — an effect of the ongoing pandemic and the rise in the number of remote workers.
Does the US have a digital nomad visa? As of right now, the United States doesn’t offer a digital nomad visa. The US has several temporary working visas that could be an option for you. Each is slightly different, so read through each type of work visa carefully to make sure it fits your situation.
Note: All visa costs and income requirements below are listed in USD. If you’re not in the US, you’ll need to check the income requirements in your local currency for the visa in question.
European Countries
#1. Czech Republic
Visa Cost: Around $165 (long-stay business visa costs $117 + trade license costs $46)
Duration: Zivno, Czechia’s version of a digital nomad visa, is a long-term business visa that allows people to stay in the country for 3 months up to a year. They do allow Zivno visa extensions for up to 2 more years.
Income Requirements: Proof of a minimum bank balance of $5,700
#2. Croatia
Visa Cost: About $188 (temporary residence costs $66, visa costs $73, residence card costs $49)
Duration:Croatia’s digital nomad visa allows visitors to stay up to 12 months (without the option to renew). They require that you leave the country for at least 90 days after the visa expires. You can reapply after the 90-day period.
Income Requirements:Monthly income of $2,658 or a bank balance of $31,892.92 for a one-year stay.
#3. Estonia
Visa Cost: $85 for a Type C (short-stay) visa, and $107 for a Type D (long-stay) visa
Duration:Estonia has 2 digital nomad visa options: Type C DNV is a short-stay visa, for less than 90 days. The Type D DNV allows a stay of 91 days up to 12 months.
Income Requirements: You’ll have to prove a monthly income of at least $3,395 for at least 6 months prior to the date you applied.
#4. Georgia
Visa Cost: Free
Duration: Up to one year.
Income Requirements: You must be able to prove a monthly income of at least $2,000 or that you have $24,000 in savings.
#5. Germany
Visa Cost: Between $62 and $112
Duration: Germany’s “freiberufler” visa (or freelancer visa) lasts 3 months. It’s possible to convert it into a residence permit while your visa is valid.
Income Requirements: Roughly between $3,370 and $5,615 in savings. Be prepared to provide documents that prove financial security as well as a financial plan that includes your rates, etc.
#6. Iceland
Visa Cost: $153.93 (application fee costs $93.93, visa costs $60)
Duration: Up to 6 months.
Income Requirements: $7,800 per month or $10,000 if you’re traveling with a partner.
#7. Malta
Visa Cost: $321
Duration:Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit lasts up to a year with the possibility to renew.
Income Requirements: At least $2,890 per month.
#8. Portugal
Visa Cost: $166 (visa costs $89, residence permit costs $77)
Duration: Up to 2 years. It’s renewable for up to another 3 years.
Income Requirements: 4 times the national minimum wage (between $2,750 and $3,100 per month).
North & Central American Countries
#1. Belize
Visa Cost: $250
Duration: Up to 6 months and can be extended.
Income Requirements: Proof of an income of at least $75,000 per year or $100,000 per year if you’re traveling with family.
#2. Jamaica
Visa Cost:Visa application costs $100
Duration: Up to one year. You can apply for an extension.
Income Requirements: Bank statements to prove regular, sustaining income or proof that you have enough in savings to afford your stay.
#3. Mexico
Visa Cost: $190 to $390 (interview costs $40, temporary residence card $150 to $350)
Duration: Less than 180 days with a tourist visa, or a temporary resident visa if you plan to stay more than 180 days but less than four years.
Income Requirements: $650 or more per month over the last six months or a bank statement with the minimum average balance of $12,000 over the last 12 months.
#4. Panama
Visa Cost: $300 (application fee costs $250 and visa costs $50). Duration: 9 months with the possibility to extend.
Income Requirements: Yearly salary of more than $36,000
South American Countries
#1. Aruba
Visa Cost: Depends on your home country.
Duration: Up to 3 months.
Income Requirements: Proof of sufficient income for the duration of your visit.
#2. Brazil
Visa Cost: $100
Duration: Up to one year.
Income Requirements: Proof of an income of at least $1,500 per month or have a bank balance of at least $18,000 at the time of the application.
#3. Colombia
Visa Cost: $134 (split in two payments: first payment $52, second payment $82)
Duration: Depends on your home country.
Income Requirements: Proof of financial sufficiency.
#4 Costa Rica
Visa Cost: $2,219 (Rentista Visa Application costs $250, Service Fee for Temporary Residence Permit costs $1,595, Governmental Fee costs $374)
Duration: Up to a year with the option to renew.
Income Requirements: A stable monthly income of at least $3,000 per month or $4,000 per month if you’re traveling with family.
Caribbean Countries
#1. Barbados
Visa Cost: $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (family)
Duration: Up to a year with renewal possible.
Income Requirements: At least $50,000 per year.
#2. Bermuda
Visa Cost: $263
Duration: Up to a year.
Income Requirements: No minimum approximate annual income required, but they do recommend proof of stable income or a savings balance.
#3. Cayman Islands
Visa Cost: $1,469 per year, plus an additional $500 per dependent
Duration: Up to two years.
Income Requirements: $100,000 per year for an individual, $150,000 per year for a couple, or $180,000 per year for a family.
#4. Saint Lucia
Visa Cost: $75
Duration: Up to a year.
Income Requirements: No minimum annual income required, but they recommend proof of stable income or a savings balance.
Middle East & Asian Countries
#1. Cambodia
Visa Cost: $30 to $50 (additionally, a one-month extension costs $45)
Duration: 30 days
Income Requirements: No minimum annual income required.
#2. Taiwan
Visa Cost: Between $100 and $310 depending on country of origin
Duration: One to three years.
Income Requirements: Proof that you work for a company that pays you at least $5,600 per month.
#3. United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Visa Cost: $287
Duration: Up to a year.
Income Requirements: Proof of a minimum income of $5,000 per month.
#4. Vietnam
Visa Cost: $25
Duration: 30 days
Income Requirements: No minimum annual income required.
African Countries
#1. Cape Verde
Visa Cost: Around $55
Duration: Up to 6 months with renewal possible.
Income Requirements: Average bank balance over the previous 6 months of at least $1500 for an individual or $2,700 for families.
#2. Mauritius
Visa Cost: Free
Duration: Up to a year with renewal possible.
Income Requirements: At least $1,500 per month, plus an additional $500 per month for every dependent.
#3. Republic of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa announced a proposed new visa specifically for digital nomads in 2022. It has yet to be finalized, but this is what we know so far:
Visa Cost: Not settled yet.
Duration: Likely up to a year.
Income Requirements: Likely about $3,000 per month.
#4. Seychelles
Visa Cost: Around $44
Duration: Up to a year.
Income Requirements: Proof of sustainable income.
Work from Anywhere and Everywhere
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