Working from anywhere in the world just got a lot easier with many new countries offering a digital nomad visa. Whether you’re a digital nomad looking for your next long-term stay or recently started working remotely and are ready to head abroad, there are tons of options available.
With that being said, it can be tough to navigate where you can work and live legally. But rest assured, I’ve created the most comprehensive guide outlining all of the Digital Nomad visas available.
Many countries have launched some form of Digital Nomad Visa to allow remote workers to easily work in their country. Below, I’ll go over in-depth information on Digital Nomad Visas, including:
- What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
- Eligibility for a Digital Nomad Visa
- How long does it take to get a Digital Nomad Visa?
- What type of work can I do?
- Digital Nomad Visa vs. Tourist Visa
- Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
A digital nomad is someone who moves from place to place (usually outside of their home country) with no settled home and uses technology to work remotely. A digital nomad visa is a document or program that gives someone the legal right to work remotely while residing away from their country of permanent residence. Unlike a tourist visa (which has a short time limit), a digital nomad visa covers remote workers who want to stay in a country for more than the allotted tourist visa allows.
Who is Eligible for a Digital Nomad Visa
This will vary widely from country to country. But overall, you must be over 18 years of age to apply, hold a valid passport, earn a specific monthly income (the amount varies from country to country), and have a job you can do from anywhere in the world.
How long does it take to get a Digital Nomad Visa?
It usually takes about one month to process your digital nomad visa. Keep in mind that the processing time for a visa application changes from country to country.
What type of work can I do?
Digital nomads work remotely and either owns their own business, freelance or work for a company that doesn’t require them to be physically present at the company’s headquarters or offices. There are endless possibilities for the types of work you can do. Here are just a few options:
- Business Consultant
- Community Manager
- APP/Web Developer
- Coach
- Translator
- Web/Graphic Designer
- Writer/Copywriter
- Social Media Manager
- Virtual Assistant
Check out this post for the best sites to find remote work!
Digital Nomad Visa vs. Tourist Visa
Advantages of Digital Nomad Visa:
- Can work in a country legally (important if you have business/freelance insurance for your work product/liability) or if you have large firms as clients
- May be eligible for preferential local tax treatment
- Often have a path to long-term residency
- Tend to have a longer-term – some even 2+ years
Advantages of Tourist Visa:
- Much easier to obtain, often can apply online or at a port of entry and receive approval either instantly or in days
- Often no proof of income/assets
- Does not create any complex tax/legal issues for you when visiting
- Little to no obligations for you meaning you can leave at any time
Current Countries with a Digital Nomad Visa
Anguilla
Anguilla has no income tax, capital gains tax, estate tax, or other direct tax on individuals regardless of their residence status. As a Digital Nomad under the Work from Anguilla Certificate you as well are not required to pay any taxes, only for the personal effects that you bring along you might have some duty charges. There is a $200 application fee and you must be making $55,00 USD annually to apply for this 12-month visa.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: $55,000 USD
Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is offering a long-stay visa program, named the Nomad Digital Residence. Eligible persons will be granted a special-resident authorization that will be valid for up to two (2) years in the first instance. The fees for a single applicant are $1,500 USD, for a couple $2,000 USD, and a family of 3 or more is $3,000 USD.
Length of Visa: 24 Months (2 Years)
Minimum Income: $55,000 USD
The Bahamas
There are no income requirements stated for the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program however there are fees associated with the application. A $25 USD application fee per applicant. $1,000 USD permit fee for each remote working applicant. $500 USD permit fee for each additional family member if the dependent is also working remotely then a $1,000 USD fee applies.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: No minimum
Barbados
The Barbados digital nomad visa, officially called the Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa, was introduced on June 30th, 2020. At the moment, it is ranked 10th as one of the best digital nomad visas in the world. You will need proof of annual income ($50,000 annually). There is an application fee of $2,000 USD for individuals and $3,000 USD for families.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: $50,000 USD
Bermuda
Bermuda has become one of the most popular vacation destinations due to its amazing beaches and relaxed atmosphere. This is why digital nomads are also flocking to Bermuda as a destination to work remotely. The best part is that there is no minimum income and only a $263 application fee.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: No minimum
Cape Verde
To get the Cape Verde digital nomad visa, you have to pay two fees: the visa fee is $20 USD and the airport fee is $35 USD. In comparison with other countries that offer digital nomad visas, the fee is quite cheap. With the Cape Verde digital nomad visa, you’ll need to prove a bank account balance of $1,550 USD for the last 12 months. Digital nomads in Cape Verde are exempt from income tax and any other taxes.
Length of Visa: 6 Months (Option To Extend To 12 Months)
Minimum Income: $1,550 USD
Cayman Islands
Cayman stands out in offshore financial markets for administering many of the world’s largest funds and having very high safety ratings. It also has much higher financial requirements to match. You must earn $100,000 per year if applying as an individual, $150,000 per year if applying as a couple, and $180,000 per year if applying as a family
Length of Visa: 24 Months (2 Years)
Minimum Income: $100,000 USD
Costa Rica
The Costa Rican Nomad Visa is one of the longest visa options available, allowing holders to remain in the country for two years, with the possibility to extend this further through residency applications afterward. You will need to prove that you make around $3,000 USD per month as proof of a steady income.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (Option To Extend To 24 Months)
Minimum Income: $3,000 USD
Croatia
The Croatian authorities launched their visa for digital nomads in 2021 to encourage remote workers to live in Croatia while working. However, you cannot work for a Croatian employer during any period of your stay. You’ll need to show proof of company registered outside of Croatia if you are a business owner or proof of employment in the form of a contract from a foreign employer.
Length of Visa: 6 Months (Option To Extend to 12 Months)
Minimum Income: $30,000 USD
Curaçao
Curaçao is one of the Caribbean islands with the lowest cost of living. Under the Home in Curaçao program, you are not required to pay income tax and there is no proof of income needed.
Length of Visa: 6 Months (Option To Extend to 12 Months)
Minimum Income: No Minimum
Czech Republic
The Zivno Visa is for those looking to work on their own time schedule and live in the Czech Republic. It is valid for up to one year and can then be extended for a further two years. The Zivno Visa costs around $217 USD and you will need to demonstrate that you have $6,500 USD in your account at all times during the process.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (Option To Extend To 36 Months)
Minimum Income: $6,500 USD
Dominica
Since April 2021, Dominica has implemented its own remote work visa program called Work in Nature (WIN). The WIN program was created as a means of fighting the drop in tourism because Dominica’s income mostly comes from tourism.
Length of Visa: 18 Months
Minimum Income: $50,000 USD
Dubai
As a digital nomad in Dubai, you are not imposed to pay income tax, capital gain tax, withholding tax, and local taxes. Business owners need to show proof of company ownership for at least a year and show bank statements for the last 3 months. Employees will need to show proof of employment for at least 1-year contract and the previous month’s bank statements.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: $5,000 USD
Estonia
This visa is specifically called the Digital Nomad Visa and was launched at the end of 2019 with the aim to target remote workers. Unknown to many, Estonia was the first European country to offer visas for digital nomads.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: $3,900 USD
Georgia
In 2020, Georgia introduced their Digital Nomad Visa called Remotely from Georgia. Applying for a Georgia Digital Nomad Visa is free. You need to earn $2,000 USD a month or have $24,000 USD in your bank account. To prove your funds, you can use bank statements, stock statements, contracts with fixed repayment, and certificates of employment.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (1 Year)
Minimum Income: $2,000 USD
Germany
Digital nomads can apply for a German Freelance Visa, which allows holders to work with different startups, businesses, or individuals on part-time contracts or a needs basis – they must work for German companies or benefit the German economy, which is different from most other visas on this list.
Length of Visa: 3 Months (Option To Extend To 36 Months)
Minimum Income: $12,000 USD + $200,000 USD in Assets
Iceland
The Icelandic version of a visa for digital nomads was launched by the country in October 2020 and is called the Icelandic Remote Worker Visa. This visa also serves as a temporary residence permit.
Length of Visa: 6 Months
Minimum Income: $84,000 USD
Malta
To apply, you’ll need a monthly income of at least $2,900 USD. English is the primary language in Malta which could help make the transition easier.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (Option To Extend Indefinitely)
Minimum Income: $2,900 USD
Mauritius
The Mauritius Premium Visa allows remote workers to live in the country for one year, with the option to renew for another year. You must meet the income requirement of $1,500 USD, this increases by $500 per dependent/family member you bring under the age of 24 or proof of $3,000 USD per month if applying as a couple.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (Option To Extend To 24 Months)
Minimum Income: $1,500 USD
Mexico
If you want to live in Mexico while working as a digital nomad, then the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa is a safe bet. You can stay in the country for one year and then can extend the visa up to three more times. Monthly income of $2,400 USD over the last 6 months or savings/investment account balance of $45,000 USD over the last 12 months. It’s also important to note that you must first have a Mexico Temporary Resident Visa before applying for a Mexico Permanent Resident Visa.
Length of Visa: 12 Months (Option To Extend To 48 Months)
Minimum Income: $2,400 USD
Montserrat
You must prove you meet the annual income requirement of $70,000 USD. During your time on the Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa, you won’t owe taxes to the country. This is excellent news for remote workers who are tax-savvy and try to take advantage of certain tax schemes.
Length of Visa: 12 Months
Minimum Income: $70,000 USD
Norway
Norway offers visas for digital nomads looking to live and work in Svalbard, one of the most expensive places to live in the world. The visa is valid for a lifetime and you simply need to show that you have sufficient funds to support your stay there. Living in Svalbard can be pretty difficult because of the very low temperatures and the 24 hours of darkness that the archipelago experiences for about four months of the year, from November to February. However, living in Svalbard is an experience that digital nomads will remember for a lifetime.
Length of Visa: Indefinite (forever with extensions)
Minimum Income: Varies, must provide a living plan with proof of sufficient income
Portugal
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is divided into two categories; Short Stay and Residency Permit. The first is aimed at remote workers looking to stay temporarily in Portugal for up to one year. The second is for digital nomads who are looking to secure a residency visa in Portugal. To be eligible, remote workers will need to prove a monthly income that is four times the amount of the current minimum income in Portugal, and provide a work contract or proof that they are self-employed. The current minimum monthly income in Portugal is €750 ($780 USD).
Length of Visa: 12 Months
Minimum Income: $3,120 USD
Seychelles
As a digital nomad in Seychelles, you are not required to pay any local income tax, personal income tax, or business tax. Moreover, you are exempted from paying tax and custom duty on work equipment and personal effects. To apply for a Seychelles Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll just need to pay a one-time fee of $46 USD.
Length of Visa: 12 Months
Minimum Income: Must prove sufficient funds
Taiwan
Taiwan does not have a visa designed especially for digital nomads; however, they do have The Taiwan Employment Gold Card, which applies to digital nomads. The Gold Card applies to professionals, freelancers, or self-employed individuals who can prove that they have a monthly income of $5,700 USD.
Length of Visa: Up To 36 Months
Minimum Income: $5,700 USD
Which country sounds most appealing to work remotely?
