Digital nomads often struggle to fit into existing visa structures.
Work visas can be difficult and expensive to get. That’s by design, since they’re intended to protect local jobs and businesses from foreign competition.
Nomads work while they’re visiting a country — but that work takes place digitally, often on a server located on their home soil. The nomad’s employer or clients and tax responsibilities often remain in their home country as well.
Should we have to jump through hoops to qualify for a traditional business visa? Most nomads don’t think so, and we usually enter countries as tourists. We can honestly say that our reason for visiting is tourism — we’re visiting to enjoy the place in our free time. We don’t have to enter that specific country to do our jobs, so business isn’t the reason for our visit.
Many countries, however, have outdated rules stating that if you will work while you’re within their borders, you must apply for a business or working visa just like someone who is taking on local employment or clients.
An Ethical Puzzle
Like most ethical questions, there are two sides to the coin, and the truth lies in the center.
On one hand, we may spend weeks or months taking advantage of infrastructure like high-speed internet and public transportation that are subsidized by other peoples’ tax dollars. If we get sick or injured, we’ll depend on healthcare services that are often taxpayer-supported as well. Our presence takes housing away from locals, drives up prices — and in popular areas creates whole neighborhoods owned by Airbnb landlords who aren’t invested in supporting local schools or community resources.
On the other hand, we funnel money from our clients into the country and community. Our income doesn’t come from the local economy, but we pour it into the hands of local landlords, merchants, farmers, artisans, and restaurants. When we gather in numbers, our presence creates opportunities for locals to offer housing, restaurants, cafes, transportation, and entertainment.
Ethics aside, travelers who work in a country without a work visa could always face consequences.
Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
Until recently, nomads had to decide whether to risk entering each country based on tourist rules or go through the traditional work visa application. But now a handful of countries are catching up and offering visas that are aimed especially at remote workers.
These visas often let nomads stay longer than a tourist visa, and allow governments to decide the terms for remote workers. Some countries seem mostly interested in attracting high-income guests, while others have more of an open-door policy. Most require some kind of travel health insurance.
Some of the details that follow are specific to US residents, but most of the programs are open to other nationalities as well.
Also, note that some of these countries may be closed to Americans or other nationalities with high Covid rates during the pandemic.
Antigua & Barbuda: Nomad Digital Residence Program
Want a warm Caribbean base for your remote working life? Antigua and Barbuda offers a generous residence program designed to attract nomads.
Maximum Stay: Up to two years
Requirements:
- $50,000 annual income
- Proven ability to support any family members living with you
- Employment must be based outside the Caribbean
- Health insurance
Cost: $1,500/individual, $2,000/couple, $3,000/family of three or more
Aruba: One Happy Workation
This program is aimed at U.S. nationals who are self-employed or employed outside Aruba. Although it doesn’t allow you stay any longer than you could as a tourist, One Happy Workation explicitly welcomes digital nomads to work in the country and offers some discounts on lodging.
Maximum Stay: Up to 180
Requirements:
- U.S. National
- Self-employed or work for a non-Aruban company
- Specific health insurance is required, but the cost is reasonable.
Cost: A visa is not required for this stay, so there is no fee.
Barbados: Welcome Stamp
Barbados is welcoming guests who want to live and work in the country for up to one year. The application process is simple and grants you access to a beautiful country with stunning beaches and fast wifi.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year
Requirements:
- Online application
- Passport
Cost: $2,000/individual, $3,000/family bundle
Bermuda: One-year Residency Permit
Bermuda is welcoming remote workers, digital nomads, and students to its sandy shores with an affordable temporary residency permit visa.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year
Requirements:
- Over 18
- Health insurance
- Proof of employment OR enrollment in educational program
- Sufficient mean/continuous income
Cost: $263
Cayman Islands: Global Citizens Concierge Program
The Cayman Islands have created a program designed to welcome professionals and digital nomads to its luxury lifestyle.
Maximum Stay: Up to two years
Requirements:
- Employed outside the Islands
- Earn $100,000 per year ($150,000/couples, $180,000/families)
- Notarized bank reference
- Health insurance coverage
- Clean criminal record
Cost: $1,469 non-refundable application fee
Croatia: Digital Nomad Visa
Croatia has announced that it is developing a long-term visa for digital nomads. Details have not yet been announced.
Czech Republic: Long-term Business Visa
The Czech Republic’s long-term business visa program isn’t specific to digital nomads, but it is an affordable program that lets you live and work legally in the country for up to one year.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year
Requirements:
- Must apply at Embassy 3-4 months in advance, and be present in the US to receive the visa
- Valid credit card
- At least $5,600 in the bank for a one-year stay
- Travel insurance
- Proof of your business purpose
- Criminal background check
- Personal interview
Cost: $234
Estonia: Digital Nomad Visa
This Northern European nation has been welcoming digital corporations for quite a while; it’s no surprise to find Estonia on the cutting edge of digital nomad work visas as well.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year
Requirements:
- Business or employment outside Estonia
- Gross income of $4130/month for six months prior to application
Cost: $94-117 application fee, depending on length of stay.
Georgia: Remotely from Georgia Program
Georgia is welcoming digital nomads to stay long-term in the country, visa-free, with an approved application.
Maximum Stay: 360 days
Requirements:
- Freelancer, entrepreneur, or full-time employee outside Georgia
- Minimum $2,000 monthly income
- Health insurance
Cost: This is a visa-free stay, but you must pay taxes while in Georgia.
Germany: Freiberufler (freelance) visa
Germany invites freelancers to stay for three months under this visa while applying for a long-term residency permit. After three years, you can apply for a settlement permit. This is a path to long-term residence in the EU.
Maximum Stay: 3 months; can be converted into a residency permit
Requirements:
- Work in one of the “liberal” professions (law, healthcare, communication, etc)
- Submit your plans, portfolio, etc.
- Health insurance
- Adequate means to support yourself (including pension plan if over age 45)
- Register your business with the tax office and pay taxes
Cost: 60 Euros to apply for the freelance visa, 140 Euros for residence permit, up to 260 Euros for settlement permit
Iceland: Work in Iceland
This program used to be limited to EU residents, but Iceland has recently started offering this digital nomad visa to anyone who doesn’t need a visa to visit the country.
Maximum Stay: 6 months
Requirements:
- Have health insurance
- Self-employed or work for a non-Icelandic company
- Earn 1,000,000 ISK/month (around $7700) for an individual, 1,300,000 for a family
Cost: No visa needed
Mauritius: Premium Travel Visa
This African island nation is known for its beautiful beaches. Now you can arrange a prolonged stay and live and work legally here.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year (renewable)
Requirements:
- Income from outside Mauritius
- Proof of a residence in the country
- Travel & health insurance
Cost: No charge for visa
Mexico: Temporary Resident Visa
This visa allows anyone who is “financially solvent” to remain in Mexico long-term. It doesn’t allow for Mexican employment, but may allow you to earn income outside the country.
Maximum Stay: One year; renewable up to four years
Requirements:
- Income of more than $2000/month OR bank balance above $103,000
Cost: No charge
Portugal: Self-Employment Visa
Long-term visas in the Schengen zone are highly desirable, and Portugal is a beautiful country to make a home base.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year; longer terms available
Requirements:
- Prove your skill is in demand
- Register your business, pay taxes, etc
- Have Portugese bank account and residence
- Register for Taxpayer Identification Number
- Lengthy application procedure; see details here.
Spain: Self-Employment Work Visa
Spain’s program is similar to Portugal’s. This is a long-term stay visa for freelance workers who will become Spanish taxpayers.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year
Requirements:
- Self-employment income
- Register for taxpayer ID number
- Complete lengthy application process
UAE (Dubai): Remote Work Visa
Dubai is a glittering modern city with a great infrastructure for remote work — and no income tax.
Maximum Stay: Up to one year
Requirements:
- Income of $5,000 month or more from outside UAE
- Health insurance
Cost: $287
FAQ
Digital nomad visas allow a visitor to legally work in a country when their income source (job or freelance work) is outside that country. Tourist visas usually prohibit work of any kind, while business or work visas are designed to protect local jobs and are often very difficult to get. The digital nomad visa is a modern solution to the visa issue for remote workers.
In some cases. Tourist visas usually prohibit work of any kind, so a digital nomad entering a country on a tourism visa could get into trouble. Many countries are now developing visas specifically for digital nomads which allow work that doesn’t compete in the local job market.
Many nomads enter countries on tourist visas and don’t tell immigration authorities that they’ll be working during their stay. Since work visas were designed to protect local jobs, they are a poor fit for nomads and are often expensive or difficult to get. Now many countries are offering specific digital nomad visas that welcome remote workers for longer stays.
At the moment, the countries offering a specific visa for remote workers are: Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Mauritius, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and UAE/Dubai
