A digital nomad visa. Full list of countries and conditions

Do you want to work remotely and still travel? Then a digital nomad visa is your option. The list of countries where such visas are offered and the conditions for obtaining them are in our material.

Visas for digital nomads are currently experiencing a boom in popularity — according to the Traveling Lifestyle portal, there are about 35 million digital nomads in the world. Of these, 17% are Americans, 7% are British, and 5% are Russians. The average age is 32 years. They work freelance, do online business, and blog. 

Of course, covid strongly spurred this trend, since it was during the pandemic that the lion’s share of people switched to such a work format as “remote”. 

We have collected all currently possible visa options for digital nomads or similar visa programs. The countries on our list are divided into the following geographical areas: Europe, Asia, America and the Caribbean, as well as Africa. 

We have described the opportunities offered by each country in the following key categories: features, visa validity period, requirements, application, cost of living in the country. 

What is a Digital Nomad visa?

The digital nomad visa, or digital nomad visa, is a special temporary residence permit in the country for people who work remotely via the Internet.

Such visas allow remote specialists, or “digital nomads”, to travel and at the same time earn money by doing their work online.

How do I get a digital Nomad visa? Usually, you need to meet the following criteria for this:

• Work remotely for a foreign employer or clients. Or have your own Internet business.
• Have a certain minimum income per month (for example, $2000-3000 — it depends on the country).
• Do not apply for jobs or social benefits in the host country.
• Pay for accommodation and other expenses in the country yourself.

In fact, the holder of the “nomad visa” (digital nomad) — this is a tourist who is officially working online.

Such a visa is usually issued for a year or several years. In some countries, it is also possible to obtain a residence permit for the status of a digital nomad.

Advantages of a Digital Nomad visa

Here are the pros and cons of having a digital nomad visa:

Positive

• Long—term legal status of stay – from several months to several years, depending on the requirements of the country. 
• Simplified immigration procedure. Obtaining a digital nomad visa is usually easier than the process of obtaining a work or immigration visa; as a rule, the most important thing is to prove your financial self—sufficiency. 
• Freedom of movement and flexibility. The main purpose of this visa is to allow its holders to legally work in remote employment from a desired location in the world. 
• Tax benefits. In some countries, tax benefits are provided for nomads, such as reduced income tax rates or tax exemption for a certain period. 
• Cultural immersion. This visa provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and learn the language of the local population. 
• Expanded opportunities for professional growth. Staying in a new country opens up access to local professional communities, events and connections. 
• Saving money (sometimes). In some cases, the cost of living in the host country may be lower than at home. And having a special visa is often cheaper than getting a work visa. 
• Legal protection. Having an official immigration status in the country provides legal rights and protection that are not available to illegal immigrants or tourists.

Minuses

• Lack of stability and emotional swings. The nomad’s path is a path of constant adaptation, and while it can be inspiring, it can also cause a sense of anxiety.
• Loneliness is also often the unspoken companion of the digital nomad. Maintaining a sense of belonging or community can be a difficult (but possible) task. 
• Blurred boundaries between “office” and “home”. Nomads often find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can lead to burnout and inefficiency.
• Dependence on technology. Nomads, namely their work, are highly dependent on technology, especially on a stable Wi-Fi connection. 
• Difficulties with logistics and building a life. Being a digital nomad, you will have to constantly figure out from scratch such issues as opening accounts, issuing SIM cards, setting up cards in clinics, paying taxes, and so on. 
• The financial aspect of nomadic life is another factor that cannot be ignored. Travel, accommodation and occasional expenses can accumulate quickly. With this lifestyle, it is more important than ever to have a financial cushion in case of unforeseen expenses. 

The differences between the Digital Nomad Visa and the Schengen visa

The Nomadic visa and the Schengen visa have a number of important differences:

• Different goals. If the digital nomad visa is intended for remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs, then the Schengen visa is for tourist and business trips to the countries of the Schengen area.
• The validity period. A digital nomad visa is usually issued for a longer period — from 6 months to several years, depending on the country. A Schengen visa is usually issued for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Requirements. To obtain a nomad visa, proof of income from remote work or business activities sufficient to live in the country is usually required. A Schengen visa requires proof of financial means for staying in the Schengen area, booking accommodation and other documents related to the purpose of the trip.
• Taxes. Nomads often have to pay income tax in the host country if their income exceeds a certain threshold. For a short-term stay on a Schengen visa, taxation is usually not applied.
• Cost. The fee for obtaining a digital nomad visa is usually higher than for a Schengen visa, as it involves a longer stay.
• The possibility of extension. In some countries, the digital nomad visa can be extended if certain conditions are met. A Schengen visa cannot usually be extended, except in exceptional circumstances.

Thus, Digital Nomad Visa offers digital nomads more flexibility, but also imposes stricter requirements in terms of income, taxation and restrictions on types of work.

How Digital Nomads Pay Taxes

Most countries tax the income of their citizens, regardless of their place of residence. Therefore, digital nomads must continue to pay income tax in their country of citizenship on income earned from remote work or business.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account the requirements regarding taxes in the host country. Many countries offering a digital nomad visa require that holders of such a visa pay local taxes on income earned during their stay in the country if their income exceeds the established threshold. For example, in Greece, tax residency will have to be issued after 180 or more days of stay during a calendar year. 

In addition, to avoid double taxation, many countries have relevant agreements among themselves. They determine which country a digital nomad should pay taxes in under certain circumstances.

Alternatively, digital nomads can obtain tax residency in a country with low or zero tax rates (the Cayman Islands, for example) to minimize their expenses.

And of course, it is important to keep track of the number of days spent in each country in order to determine your tax status and related tax obligations.

“You are becoming free.” Three stories about how digital nomads live: what they like, how much they spend and how they plan to move

Digital Nomad Visa in European countries

Europe is the most active continent in terms of attracting digital nomads to its region. 

Comparative table of visas for nomads in European countries:

Digital Nomad Visa in Asian countries

The list of Asian countries issuing visas for nomads is not very large yet, but it is constantly being updated. 

Comparative table of visas for nomads in Asian countries:

Digital Nomad Visa in America and the Caribbean

Caribbean countries are catching up with European countries in terms of the number of visas offered for nomads. 

A comparative table of visas for nomads in the Caribbean and America:

Digital Nomad Visa in Africa

So far, three countries on the African continent have issued visas for remote workers and freelancers. Read more about the conditions for issuing digital nomad visas in Africa in our separate article. 

Comparative table of visas for nomads in African countries:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for a digital Nomad visa?

Remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs. The basic requirements for obtaining such a visa usually include proof of income from remote work or business, the existence of valid contracts with clients/employers outside the host country, and so on. 

How long is a nomad visa issued for?

The validity period of a digital nomad visa varies depending on the country, but it is usually issued for a period of 6 months to 2 years with the possibility of extension if certain conditions are met. 

How long does it take for a digital nomad visa to be issued?

It depends on the country, but usually it takes from a few weeks to 2-3 months to make a decision. For example, in Germany, the application processing time is about 4-8 weeks, in Iceland — 4-12 weeks, and in Portugal — 1-2 months. 

What are the differences between a visa and a residence permit for a digital nomad?

The residence permit of a digital nomad, unlike a visa, provides a longer-term and stable immigration status, allowing you to legally reside in the country on a permanent basis, subject to certain conditions. But to obtain such a document, as a rule, you still need to live in the country with a visa for some time. 

Are digital nomads required to pay taxes? 

In different ways, but often necessary. Moreover, both in the country of their citizenship and in the host country after exceeding the income threshold. However, it all depends on the country — some of them provide tax benefits for digital nomads in the form of reduced tax rates or tax exemptions (such as Bermuda and Montenegro). Plus, you should study the agreements on the avoidance of double taxation between the countries you are interested in.

Can digital nomads travel with such a visa?

As a rule, yes. In some cases, such a visa allows you to move freely between several countries that mutually recognize nomad visas, and in others — to leave the host country for short-term trips with a return within the allowed period. For example, according to the Mexican and Greek nomad programs, you can freely move around the Schengen area.

Is it difficult to get a digital nomad visa? How does this happen?

Usually, the process of obtaining a digital nomad visa includes collecting the necessary documents (income statement, medical insurance, diplomas, etc.), filling out a questionnaire and applying to the embassy or migration service of the selected country, paying visa fees, passing an interview (if necessary) and waiting for the final decision. The set and nature of the requirements may vary depending on the country.

Author

Constance Pelevina is a journalist

I am responsible for the work of the editorial office. I write expert interviews and guides.

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