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Everything You Need To Know About Digital Nomad Visas




Working RemotelyDigital Nomads



What’s a digital nomad visa? Which countries offering digital nomad visas are best for remote workers? Learn where to travel while working remotely now:

 

If you want to satisfy your wanderlust while working remotely, digital nomad visas are your key to adventure.

A digital nomad works remotely in whatever destination they’re exploring for weeks or months away from their home base. They leverage remote technology to blur the lines between work life and vacation mode. Their motto? “Have laptop; will travel!”

Although many digital nomads have been working abroad on tourist visas, it’s technically illegal to do so. But that’s not the case with a digital nomad visa, which legally allows techpats to work in most countries on their bucket list.

Interested? We thought you might be 😄 So let’s talk about everything you need to know to plan your next life-changing adventure the smart way. 

What are Digital Nomad Visas?

Digital nomad visas allow non-citizens to legally work remotely in the country they’re visiting. 

The list of countries offering digital nomad visas grew exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic -- and even more countries are pushing for legislation to join their ranks. 

As tourism dwindled during quarantines, local economies suffered. At the same time, more people started working from home. So countries figured they could attract remote workers with digital nomad visas to benefit everyone involved.


Digital nomads don’t take away local jobs but contribute to the local economy. You can’t work for a local employer on a digital nomad visa. Yet you’ll need to pay for lodging, food, shopping, tourist attractions, and other expenses that boost a country’s revenue.

Digital nomad visas also last longer than tourist visas. Besides the perk of legally being allowed to work abroad, digital nomad visas generally last a full year as opposed to the 30-90-day tourist visa. So if you’re planning a few months abroad, you don’t have to renew your visa every couple weeks.

Digital nomad visas are usually not a path to citizenship (although they can be in some countries). While you can renew them in most locations, the understanding is that you’ll leave before your visa expires. And you’ll want to do this before you start incurring tax liabilities. 


Do You Have To Pay Taxes On a Digital Nomad Visa?

You usually pay income taxes based on your country of citizenship, not where you’ve been living. But this can vary by country.

For example, Americans must file taxes in the US if they earn over $12,400 in 2022, even if they work remotely abroad. 

Yet, in Canada, digital nomads who travel outside the country for 183 days (more than half a year) don’t have to file taxes as long as they don’t hold any significant assets.


You’ll also need to consider the tax laws in your future destinations. Some countries offer one-year tax exemption policies. But if you hang out in Estonia for more than 183 days, you’ll be considered a taxable resident. 

So it’s best to check your country’s tax laws and the tax laws in your wishlist countries before undertaking any long journeys. And you may want to err on the side of shorter travels, just to be safe. 



What are the Application Requirements for Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas?

Requirements to snag a digital nomad visa vary by country. These generally include:

Proof of identity. You must be over 18 years old to apply for digital nomad visas. You also need a passport valid for at least six months at the start of your application through your travel dates.

You must provide civil documents, such as your birth certificate, which may need to be translated into the local language and certified with an apostille stamp.

You’ll also be asked to take “identity pictures,” which are similar to passport photos in that they require a plain, white background and neutral facial expression.

Proof of income or funds. Many countries require digital nomads to earn a certain amount per month or year. Others make you prove there’s a set amount in your bank account.


Proof of remote employment. You’ll need to provide the source of your income and evidence of your remote career. You may be asked for the name of your employer, client contracts, employment agreements, etc. These confirm that you can complete your job abroad and won’t be entering the local job market.


Proof of health insurance coverage for your destination. Your standard health insurance may not cover you for medical care overseas. Many countries require you to have travel or health insurance so you don’t drain their local healthcare resources.

A correctly filled-out application. Every country will require you to fill out an application for your visa with the most up-to-date information. Though some let you take this step online, others make you complete these forms at the nearest embassy or consulate in person. You’ll likely have a visa interview as well. 

Proof of lodging or accommodations. Some counties may ask for the address you’ll be staying at while traveling or your local lodging plans. You may also need proof that you can afford this rent on top of your monthly income requirements.

A background check. Some countries require a clean background check free of police records, serious crimes, and other red flags.

A negative COVID-19 test. Though the rules are constantly evolving, some countries will ask techpats to quarantine before entering and submit a negative COVID-19 test.

Payment of the visa fee. Visa fees vary wildly by country and cover the administrative process of approving or denying your entry request. 

The entire approval process can take one to five months, depending on the country. 


How To Find Out Which Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas Are Best For Remote Workers

To compare all your top choices, it’s wise to:

Check each country’s cost of living index. Numbeo ranks 139 countries from most to least expensive. The site shows you how each country compares in rent prices, grocery expenses, restaurant costs, and local purchasing power. 

Compare internet speeds. Not all countries provide access to the lightning-fast internet speeds many remote workers need to knock out their tasks. Sites like Speedtest Global Index rankings highlight median and mean internet speeds for mobile and fixed broadband across the world.


Look for coworking spaces. Traveling while working remotely sometimes requires a quiet workspace. You can rent a spot daily, weekly, or monthly at a swanky local coworking space. Then you’ll have a steady, reliable internet connection, ergonomic desk and chair, and other techpats you can start building community with.

So with those tips in mind, let’s see all your options! 🌏


Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas In Europe

Here are all the countries offering digital nomad visas in Europe as of July 2022:

1. Cyprus

Cost of visa: €70, plus another €70 for initial registration into the Aliens’ Registry 
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: at least €3,500 per month


2. Croatia

Visa: The Temporary Stay
Cost of visa: depends on where you apply (see this list)
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: 2.539,31 EUR per month


3. Czech Republic (Czechia)

Visa: The Zivnostenske opravneni, nicknamed the Zivno for freelancers
Cost of visa: CZK 2,500
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: CZK 41,100 + CZK 5,480 monthly 


4. Estonia

Cost of visa: €80 short stay, €100 long stay
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: €3,504 per month


5. Georgia

Cost of visa: free!
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: $2,000 per month or $24,000 in the bank


6. Germany

Cost of visa: €100
Length of visa: 6 months to 3 years
Income requirement: prove you can be self-sustainable 


7. Greece

Cost of visa: €75
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: €3,500 per month


8. Hungary

Cost of visa: €110
Length of visa: 1 year with the option to renew for another year
Income requirement: €2,000 per month (with evidence for the last 6 months)


9. Iceland

Cost of visa: ISK 7,800 (€55)
Length of visa: Between 90 and 180 days
Income requirement: ISK 1,000,000 per month (€7,146 per month)


10. Malta

Cost of visa: €300
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: €2,700 per month


11. Norway

Cost of visa: €600
Length of visa: up to 2 years
Income requirement: €35,719 per year


12. Portugal

Cost of visa: €90
Length of visa: 1 to 5 years
Income requirement: €705 per month


13. Romania

Cost of visa: varies by country 
Length of visa: 6 months to 1 year
Income requirement: €3,700 per month


Digital Nomad Visas In the Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Explore some of the most unique places on the planet while working remotely with digital nomad visas from:


1. Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)

Cost of visa: €20 visa fee; €34 airport fee
Length of visa: 6 months; option to renew for another 6 months
Income requirement: €1,500 per month


2. Mauritius

Cost of visa: free!
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: N/A


3. Seychelles

Cost of visa: €45
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: N/A


4. Taiwan

Cost of visa: $100 to $310 depending on nationality and duration
Length of visa: up to 3 years
Income requirement: $1,614 per month


5. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Cost of visa: $287
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: $5,000 per month


Digital Nomad Visas In the Caribbean

Islands that get most of their money from tourists were hit especially hard during the pandemic. So if you want to live and work in paradise, check out digital nomad visas from:


1. Anguilla

Cost of visa: $2,000
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: N/A


2. Antigua and Barbuda

Cost of visa: $1,500
Length of visa: up to 2 years
Income requirement: $50,000 per year


3. Bahamas

Cost of visa: $25
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: N/A


4. Barbados

Cost of visa: $2,000
Length of visa: 1 year, with the option to renew
Income requirement: $50,000 per year


5. Bermuda

Cost of visa: $263
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: N/A


6. Cayman Islands

Cost of visa: $1,469
Length of visa: up to 2 years
Income requirement: $100,000 per year


7. Curaçao

Cost of visa: $294
Length of visa: 6 months with the option to extend another 6 months
Income requirement: N/A


8. Dominica

Cost of visa: $100 application fee; $800 for WIN visa
Length of visa: up to 18 months
Income requirement: $50,000 per year


9. Montserrat

Cost of visa: $500
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: $70,000 per year


Digital Nomad Visas In Latin America

Central and South America have a diverse mix of beaches, mountains, rainforests, jungles, and city life, so you’ll never get bored while working remotely. Check out digital nomad visas from:


1. Belize

Cost of visa: $250
Length of visa: 6 months
Income requirement: $75,000 per year


2. Brazil

Cost of visa: varies by consulate 
Length of visa: 1 year
Income requirement: $1,500 per month or $18,000 in the bank


3. Mexico

Cost of visa: varies
Length of visa: 180 days to up to 4 years
Income requirement: $3,339 per month


4. Panama

Cost of visa: $250 application fee; $50 visa fee
Length of visa: 9 months with the option to renew for another 9 months
Income requirement: $36,000 per year


The Future of Digital Nomad Visas

Don’t see your dream destination on the list yet? These countries are currently in the process of passing digital nomad visa legislation:
  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Aruba
  • Costa Rica
  • Latvia
  • North Macedonia
  • Spain
  • Thailand

Need a high-paying remote job to pass your destination’s income requirements? Stay glued to We Work Remotely, the ultimate job board for the best remote positions! ✈


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