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Digital nomad and remote work visas are great for exploring new countries while working remotely. They allow permit holders to stay in the chosen country for an extended period of time while pursuing their usual line of work. In many cases, they even come with attractive taxation rules that free the visa holder from the obligation of paying local income tax.
Remote work pioneers like Rowena Hennigan predict that, in the not-too-distant future, one in every three countries will offer either a visa for digital nomads or another incentive to attract remote workers from all over the globe. And a look at the current list of countries offering remote work visas shows that this prediction isn’t far off.
What countries have digital nomad visas? Here is the complete list of countries with remote work visas in 2024, plus an overview of which countries are next in line to launch a digital nomad program.
Europe’s cultural heritage is unparalleled in the world. Good news is: There are more and more European countries with digital nomad visas. Spain’s digital nomad visa and Portugal’s remote work visa are especially popular, but there are many more options to choose from.
In early 2022, the Albanian government set the legal framework for a new permit for work and residence which will also be available to remote workers and digital nomads. Although the program was officially launched at the end of 2022, some details still remain unclear.
Here is a rough overview of the requirements and conditions for the Albanian remote work visa:
Stay of up to one year (renewable for another year),
Minimum income requirement of around USD 9,800 per year, and
Bank statements showing cash flow of the last 12 months.
More information on the Type D Long Stay visa for digital mobile workers and a link to the online application can be found here.
Similar to other European destinations such as Estonia or Portugal, Croatia is very popular with digital nomads. In January 2021, the country also started issuing special remote work visas which enable the holder to live and work in Croatia for up to 12 months. In order to be eligible for this long-stay visa, applicants have to:
Prove the purpose of their stay, i. e. that they are intending to conduct remote work from Croatia,
Provide an official background check from their home country,
Have health insurance for the entire duration of their stay,
Prove they have sufficient financial funds (currently annual sum of EUR 30,471.72 or monthly income of at least EUR 2,539.31), and
Have a Croatian address for the duration of their stay.
Please note that all documents and paperwork should be provided either in English or Croatian. For more information, you can check the Croatian Ministry of the Interior’s website. Also, you already need to be within the borders of Croatia to apply. The costs for the visa vary, depending on whether you apply at the embassy or at a police station.
With the Cyprus digital nomad visa, non-EU/EEA nationals can work remotely in Cyprus for 1 year (extendable to 2 years in total). In order to apply, you must:
Be able to perform work remotely through telecommunications technology,
Be employed in a company registered abroad or be self-employed offering services remotely for clients located abroad, and
Prove that you have sufficient monthly income of at least EUR 3,500 net (higher if you bring dependent family members).
The visa fee is EUR 70, plus an additional EUR 70 for registration with the civil registry. The Civil Registry and Migration Department provides further information.
In contrast to many other remote work programs, the Czech digital nomad visa is not exactly what you might call new. In fact, the country has been issuing what is called a “Zivno” visa (i. e. business visa) for quite some years now. Here is what criteria you need to meet in order to qualify for it:
Notarized proof of accommodation,
Health insurance,
Clean criminal record,
Personal savings of at least CZK 124,500, and
Trade license for your professional activity.
To apply, you need to book an appointment with the Czech embassy. The application fee is CZK 1,000. Please note that the visa is only available to freelancers and independent contractors, but not to remote employees. The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Interior provides more detailed information on its website.
Among digital nomads and location-independent entrepreneurs, Estonia is primarily known for its unique e-residency program. In August 2020, the country also launched a new digital nomad visa which allows remote workers to live and work in Estonia for a period of up to 12 months. Individuals interested in applying must:
Be working remotely,
Be employed by a company registered outside of Estonia, or run their own business, or be a freelancer with clients based mostly outside of Estonia, and
Be able to prove an annual income of EUR 42,632 and have savings equivalent to EUR 3,504 to cover the first month.
As part of the application process, you need to make an appointment with the Estonian embassy. The visa fee depends on whether you decide on a short stay (Type C) or a long stay (Type D) and amounts to either EUR 80 or EUR 100.
The State Of Work
Nestled on the border between Asia and Europe, Georgia attracts international visitors thanks to its fantastic mountain landscapes and nice beaches. In response to the pandemic, the country has introduced the so-called Remotely From Georgia scheme, which is basically a digital nomad visa that allows the holder to stay in the country for up to 12 months. You can start your application if you fulfill the following requirements:
You are a location-independent business owner, freelancer, or remote employee of a company based outside of Georgia.
Your income exceeds USD 2,000 per month.
You have appropriate health insurance for your stay.
You are able to pay tax during your stay.
There is no fee for Georgia’s remote work visa.
The German digital nomad visa works differently to other visas that fall into this category, which is why it’s not officially referred to as a digital nomad visa. Digital nomads who work as freelancers or who are self-employed can apply for a German freelancer visa—remote employees are hence excluded.
There are two types of freelancer visas, based on whether you’re self-employed and have your own commercial activity, or you’re a freelancer working in certain professions such as nursing, teaching, architecture, tax advisory, and more.
The list of requirements for the German D-visa is quite long and can be consulted under the indicated link. For visa alternatives and general visa requirements, you can check this website.
Greece offers digital nomads and remote workers a special 2-year visa (renewable every 2 years) if they meet the following requirements:
Net monthly income of at least EUR 3,500 (plus 20% for a dependent spouse, plus 15% per dependent child),
Work or services rendered exclusively to clients outside Greece,
Clean criminal background, and
Proof of health insurance.
There is an application fee of EUR 75, plus an additional administration fee of EUR 150. There currently is no way to apply for the Greek digital nomad visa online. Within Greece, applications can be made through the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
From outside Greece, the Greek embassy or consulate closest to you is your point of call. More information on Greece’s remote work visa program is available here.
With Hungary’s White Card, digital nomads and remote workers can stay and work in Hungary for up to 1 year (renewable for another year if the conditions are still met). The new permit was introduced in early 2022. Applicants are only considered if they can prove that they work for a foreign employer or for clients based outside of Hungary. Other requirements include:
Sufficient funds of at least EUR 2,000 per month and
Provision of documents, including employment contract, proof of accommodation, identification, and more.
Applications for the Hungarian digital nomad visa can be made via any consular office of Hungary by submitting the application form along with the necessary documents. The application fee is EUR 110.
As the latest addition to the Work in Iceland program, the Icelandic government has decided to also include location-independent workers in its long-term visa scheme. In order to qualify for Iceland’s remote work visa which allows stays of up to 6 months, applicants need to:
Be nationals of a country which is not part of the EU/EEA/EFTA,
Be able to travel to Iceland without requiring a visa,
Have the intention to work remotely for a company not based in Iceland,
Prove their monthly income exceeds ISK 1,000,000 (ISK 1,300,000 for couples), and
Have proper health insurance.
The visa fee amounts to ISK 12,200. The application can be launched online.
It was in March 2022 that the Italian government signed the law that seals the introduction of Italy’s remote work visa. The applications are not open yet, but at least there is a lot more information available on the requirements and application process. Here is an overview of what’s known:
Visa duration of one year,
Need for a work contract with an employer based outside Italy,
Required ability to work by using telecommunications technology,
Proof of sufficient financial means,
Proof of accommodation,
Valid health insurance coverage, and
Clean criminal record.
Alternatively, you can check if you qualify for the Italy Freelancer Visa or the Italy Entrepreneur Visa.
Latvia is one of the most recent joiners on the list of digital nomad visa countries. The first draft of the visa was approved back in February 2022. And although there still are some final approvals missing, the application requirements and visa conditions have finally been revealed:
Permit to stay and work in Latvia for up to one year (renewable for another year),
Intended for foreign nationals who are employed in another country, but capable of working remotely or who are self-employed and can carry out their work remotely,
Valid passport,
Citizenship or residence in an OECD country,
Minimum monthly income requirement of at least 2.5 times the average national salary (around EUR 2,857.50 per month), and
Sufficient health insurance coverage.
The visa fee is EUR 60. We will keep updating this post to let you know when the applications are finally open.
Malta is a pretty awesome place to be, as shown by the growing local digital nomad community. With the aim of offering remote workers a legal way to stay on the island long-term (i. e. up to 1 year) while continuing their foreign employment relationship or business activity, Malta has introduced the so-called Nomad Residence Permit. To get it, digital nomads must:
Be either a remote employee (of a foreign company), a freelancer, or an entrepreneur with a business registered abroad,
Be able to prove that they have a minimum gross yearly income of EUR 32,400,
Have proper health insurance,
Have a rental agreement for the duration of their stay, and
Pass a background verification check.
The visa costs EUR 300. The application process is online.
If you’re after a destination with excellent work-life balance, a high level of social security, and some of the finest landscapes Europe has to offer, then Norway should definitely be on your radar.
The good news is that, thanks to Norway’s Independent Contractor visa, you might be closer to living your dream of working remotely from Norway than you think. All you need to do is meet the following requirements:
Be self-employed (including qualifications to work in that profession),
Have a contract with a Norwegian-based company,
Have accommodation in Norway, and
Make at least EUR 35,719 per year.
Norway’s Directorate of Immigration has a list of the documents you need to hand in when submitting your application to the embassy. The visa application costs around EUR 600. Once it’s granted, the visa allows you to live and work remotely in Norway for 2 years.
Not so long ago, Portugal generated quite some publicity by launching Europe’s first digital nomad village on the beautiful island of Madeira. Up until October 2022, digital nomads entered the country using the existing D2 and D7 visas—although those are technically designed for retirees and passive income earners.
With the introduction of the Portugal remote work visa, the country has provided a clear legal framework for remote workers and digital nomads who are now entitled to work remotely from Portugal for a period of 1 year (with the option of renewing the permit for another 2 years). Some of the requirements for the D8 visa are:
Proven monthly income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage,
Proof of tax residency, and
Remote work as a freelancer or employee for an organization or clients outside of Portugal.
The visa costs EUR 180. But visa holders should also note that there will be additional costs of around EUR 320 to get the required residency permit. For more information on the temporary stay visa and residence permit for digital nomads as well as on the required documents, check the online portal of the Portuguese authorities.
With Romania’s digital nomad visa, non-EU/EEA passport holders can work remotely from the country for up to 1 year if they fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
Remote employment with a foreign company, or working as a freelancer or independent contractor for clients based outside of Romania,
Clean criminal record,
Proven income of at least 3 times the national average wage, and
Valid passport.
The application can be filled out and submitted online. The visa fee is around USD 112.
Beaches, mountains, lively cities, and an amazing cultural heritage—Spain simply has it all. No wonder so many digital nomads dream of making the constitutional monarchy their temporary work base.
Until recently, digital nomads and remote workers had to explore different visa options to stay in Spain for an extended period of time. But in December 2022, the Spanish government finally approved the introduction of the country’s very own digital nomad visa.
Applicants for Spain’s digital nomad visa must meet the following requirements:
Remote work duration of at least one year,
Not more than 20% of work carried out for companies or clients based in Spain,
For employees: permission to work remotely issued by the employer and valid employment contract concluded at least 3 months ago,
For independent contractors and freelancers: proof that they work for at least one company outside of Spain,
Valid health insurance,
Clean criminal record, and
Minimum monthly income of EUR 2,160 (i. e. EUR 25,920 per year).
Applicants are allowed to bring their family, but must show sufficient proof of income to sustain dependent family members. The visa application fee is around EUR 80.
Untouched white sand beaches, turquoise waves gently lapping against the shore and sunny weather year-round. The Caribbean islands definitely are top of the list when it comes to remote work destinations. Who doesn’t dream about working on the beach while enjoying some amazing freshly squeezed tropical juice?
Officially known as the British Overseas Territory Anguilla, the small island is welcoming remote workers from all over the world to come and enjoy the pleasures of living in the Caribbean. With the introduction of its new digital nomad visa, remote workers (and also students) can make Anguilla their home for a 12-month period.
Requirements to apply for the Anguilla remote work visa include:
Proof of self-employment or employment with a company based outside of Anguilla,
Medical record for year preceding the visa application,
Health insurance, and
Proof of accommodation.
Unfortunately, Anguilla’s remote work visa isn’t among the cheapest options for those wishing to fulfill their dream of working under the Caribbean sun. The visa cost is around USD 2,000 (USD 3,000 if you bring your family).
Antigua & Barbuda has also launched a special visa program for digital nomads, the so-called Nomad Digital Residence (NDR). After having been granted the NDR, remote workers are permitted to stay on the Caribbean island nation for 2 years.
Applicants need to:
Earn at least USD 50,000 per year,
Work for an employer / clients based outside of Antigua & Barbuda, and
Have sufficient health insurance.
The visa fee is USD 1,500 for a single person, USD 2,000 for a couple, and USD 3,000 for a family.
In contrast to the rest of the Caribbean islands, the smallest of the ABC islands shows an arid, almost desert-like landscape which you can explore during your “One Happy Workation” stay.
With a maximum length of stay of 90 days, Aruba’s remote work visa isn’t the longest one you’ll find in the region, but at least the application process is easy and straightforward. Just check whether you fulfill the following requirements.
Successful applicants must be:
U.S. nationals, and
Self-employed or working remotely for a company not based in Aruba.
There is no special visa fee but you have to purchase a package including accommodation, transfer, etc. As the visa is part of the deal, there is no need to go through an application process.
Under the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program, remote workers and digital nomads can stay in the Bahamas for up to 1 year as long as they don’t enter into a local employment relationship. The permit is also available to foreign students who want to study remotely from the Bahamas.
The following requirements must be met:
Proof of employment with an employer abroad, or proof of self-employment, or enrollment certificate with a foreign accredited learning institution (for students),
Proof of sufficient funds (only applicable to students), and
Proof of medical insurance.
There is an administrative fee of USD 25 for all applications. The remote work permit itself costs USD 1,000 (plus USD 500 for each dependent family member). The fee for the permit to study remotely in the Bahamas is USD 500.
The application for the Bahamas digital nomad visa can be submitted online on the official website where you can also find detailed information on the BEATS permit.
12 months in Barbados sound just about right? Then the Barbados Welcome Stamp program might be just what you are looking for. For your one-year workation on the island, you have to:
Have a yearly income of at least USD 50,000,
Be a remote employee at a company not based in Barbados or run your own location-independent business, and
Have an annual income of at least USD 50,000.
If you meet the requirements, you just have to submit the online application for your Barbados remote work visa, pay the USD 2,000 visa fee (USD 3,000 for families), and you’re good to go.
In July 2020, the Government of Bermuda announced the introduction of a special digital nomad visa. With the Work From Bermuda certificate, remote workers can enjoy a one-year workation on the island. While there is no specific minimum income requirement, applicants still need to meet the following criteria:
Own a location-independent business or be a remote employee at a company outside of Bermuda,
Possess sufficient health insurance coverage, and
Have a clean criminal record.
What’s special about the Bermuda remote work visa is that its holders can also use it to study remotely. The cost for the visa amounts to USD 275. Applications are submitted online.
With Curaçao, there is yet another one of the ABC islands which offers sun seeking digital nomads a chance to swap their routine back home for a pleasant stay on a dream island. The “@Home in Curaçao” program allows digital nomads to work remotely from the island for up to 6 months. Applicants must:
Be a remote worker working for a foreign employer, or conduct business activity for a foreign company in the role of a shareholder/partner, or be a freelancer offering service to clients based in countries other than Curaçao,
Have valid international travel insurance, and
Be able to work location-independently.
Applications are submitted electronically. The cost for remote workers and digital nomads to apply for the program is around USD 294.
In Dominica, remote employees and digital nomads can ‘win’ in two different ways as the island’s new “Work in Nature” scheme (WIN for short) enables remote work stays of up to 18 months. Requirements for a successful application include:
Clean criminal record,
Proof of income,
Ability to work remotely,
Willingness to make the required financial contribution, and
Expected income of USD 50,000 during the next 12 months or equivalent amount in savings.
The application process is online and costs USD 100. The fee for the actual visa is USD 800 for individuals coming to the island solo and USD 1,200 for families.
In May 2021, Grenada approved a new remote working legislation which allows foreign nationals employed by organizations outside of Grenada to work remotely from the island state for 1 year (2 years if the permit is renewed). The main requirements for participants include:
Valid health insurance,
Annual earnings of around USD 37,000, and
Valid passport.
The visa costs USD 1,500 (USD 2,000 if you bring dependent family members). To apply, you have to fill out the application form and submit it along with the other documents. Online applications are currently not possible.
As the holder of a U.S. passport, you enjoy the exclusive right to ask for an extended stay in Jamaica in order to work remotely from one of the many beaches. The country doesn’t offer a remote work visa as such, but if you fulfill all the necessary requirements, you can have a 6-month remote work experience in Jamaica.
Interested remote workers from the U.S. can get in touch with the Jamaican embassy to request an extended stay permit which costs between USD 60 and USD 140 (depending on the length of stay).
For those who have trouble placing Montserrat on the map: The British Overseas Territory is part of the Lesser Antilles and lies in the West Indies. The country has recently launched a remote work visa program similar to Barbados. With the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp, freelancers and remote employees can stay in the country for 12 months if they meet the following requirements:
Employment with a company outside of Montserrat or service contract with clients based in foreign countries,
Annual income of no less than USD 70,000, and
Valid health insurance.
After gathering the necessary documentation (proof of employment, proof of income, etc.), you can launch your application for the Montserrat remote work visa online and pay the fee of USD 500 (USD 750 for families).
At the start of 2021, Saint Lucia launched the Live It program which created an opportunity for foreign visitors to stay and work on the beautiful island for up to six weeks. The program duration has since been extended and now offers eligible digital nomads and remote workers a 12-month multiple entry visa.
The visa cost is USD 70. Applicants need to fulfill the following requirements:
Clean criminal record,
Proof of self-employment or remote employment with a company based outside St. Lucia,
Sufficient health insurance coverage,
Proof of income, and
Valid passport.
The application form and the necessary documents need to be submitted to the Saint Lucia visa office.
Compared to Europe and the Caribbean, countries in Asia and Africa are still a bit hesitant when it comes to offering remote work visas. However, there already are several options for digital nomads who are looking for an adventure in this part of the world.
Abu Dhabi is the second city in the United Arab Emirates to introduce a remote work visa. The visa allows qualified professionals to enjoy residency in the UAE without the need of a national sponsor. The duration is set at one year, with the option of renewing the permit for another year.
Requirements for Abu Dhabi’s remote work visa include:
Employment with an entity outside the UAE in a remote working capacity and
Minimum monthly income of not less than USD 3,500.
The visa costs USD 287.
For digital nomads and remote workers looking for a place with 350 days of sunshine per year, Cape Verde is the place to be. With the Cabo Verde Remote Working Program, it’s possible to stay on and work from the island state for a period of 6 months, renewable for another 6 months.
You only need to fulfill the following requirements:
Proof of a monthly income of at least EUR 1,500 over the past six months,
Health insurance,
Valid passport, and
Clean criminal record.
The fee for this visa is EUR 20. Applications can be made online.
For remote workers and digital nomads who earn enough money to sustain themselves in a city where everything is pricier than in many other parts of the world, Dubai is just perfect. With Dubai’s remote work visa, officially called “virtual working program”, you are allowed to live and work from the sandy beaches of the internationally known desert metropolis for up to 1 year. And you can bring your family too.
Here are the requirements:
Monthly earnings of at least USD 3,500 (payslip and/or bank statements for the last three months as proof),
Employment contract valid for at least another year or proof that you run your own company,
Medical insurance valid in the United Arab Emirates, and
Passport valid for at least another six months.
The visa costs USD 611. This link gets you right to the online application.
Malaysia is another relatively recent joiner on the list of countries offering digital nomad visas. In September 2022, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) announced the introduction of the so-called “DE Rantau program” that allows digital nomads to stay in Malaysia for any length of time between 3 and 12 months (renewable for another 12 months).
To participate in the program, applicants must:
Have earnings of over USD 24,000 per year, and
Work as a freelancer, independent contractor or full-time remote employee working in a digital profession such as IT, digital marketing, or content creation.
The visa fee is set at MYR 1,000 (around USD 214). There is an additional fee of MYR 500 per dependent family member. Applications can be submitted via the MDEC’s official website.
With the so-called “premium travel visa”, Mauritius offers a remote work visa that allows successful applicants to stay on the stunning island for up to 12 months. To qualify, interested remote workers and freelancers have to prove that they:
Intend to stay long-term (rental agreement or other),
Earn their income working for companies and clients based outside of Mauritius (either as an employee, freelancer or location-independent business owner),
Have sufficient travel and health insurance for their stay, and
Meet the income requirement of USD 1,500 per month (additional USD 500 per dependent family member).
And the best part of it, the remote work visa is completely free and the application process is 100% online. Check out the website of Mauritius’ Economic Development Board for further information.
In October 2022, Namibia launched its own remote work visa program in the hope to attract digital nomads from all over the world. The visa allows for a 6-month stay in Namibia for remote work purposes, with a possible 6-month extension.
The requirements for the visa are pretty straightforward:
Proof of financial self-sufficiency, which means a monthly income of USD 2,000 for the main applicant, USD 1,000 for the spouse, and USD 500 per dependent child,
Valid passport, and
Health insurance.
The fee for the visa is around USD 124. More information on Namibia’s digital nomad visa can be found here.
Since the launch of the Seychelles workation program, remote employees and digital nomads can live and work from the African island group for up to 1 year.
Requirements include:
Proof of being an employee/business owner/freelancer,
Proof of income or wealth, and
Valid health insurance.
When applying, remote workers have to pay a one-time fee of USD 55. Applications can be submitted online.
Taiwan doesn’t offer a digital nomad visa in the traditional sense. But applying for the Taiwan Employment Gold Card will get remote workers and digital nomads a permit to stay and work in the country for a duration of up to three years.
The cost for getting the Gold Card is USD 160. The permit is intended for highly skilled individuals working in one of the eligible fields, including culture and arts, science, education, economics, sports, law, and finance. The second main requirement successful applicants need to fulfill is a monthly income of at least TWD 160,000.
Thailand is very popular with expats, digital nomads and remote workers alike. Although there are several different visa options that enable foreigners to work remotely from Thailand one way or the other, it was only in September 2022 that the Thai government introduced the new Long-Term Resident Visa, short LTR visa, with the intent to “enhance the country’s attractiveness as a regional hub for living and doing business for ‘high-potential’ individuals”, as stated on the official website.
The permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed for another 5 years. One of the groups targeted with the visa program are remote workers working for well-established overseas companies. However, the income requirements as well as the requirements concerning the company the applicant works for are very high. A detailed list of requirements can be found here.
There already are quite a few countries in South, Central and North America which are opening their borders for digital nomads and remote workers, including top destinations for remote work like Brazil. Here are the most attractive digital nomad visa countries in the Americas at a glance.
Applications for the Argentinian digital nomad visa which was first announced in May 2022 are now open. The visa is designed to allow foreigners to work remotely from Argentina—either for a foreign employer or in a self-employed capacity for clients based outside Argentina.
However, the application requirements and procedures remain somewhat obscure. Here is what’s known so far:
Initial visa duration of 180 days, extendable for another 180 days,
Minimum monthly income requirement of around USD 2,500 (not confirmed),
Proof of qualifications to work remotely as a digital nomad, and
Valid passport from a country that can enter Argentina as a tourist without a visa.
Alternatively, digital nomads can look into applying for a Rentista visa.
In 2022, Belize joined the list of digital nomad visa countries by introducing its Work Where You Vacation program. Eligible to participate in the program are digital nomads and remote workers who:
Are employed by a company outside of Belize,
Earn at least USD 75,000 per year (USD 100,000 for couples/families) and can prove this via a notarized banking reference,
Have a clean criminal record,
Hold a valid passport, and
Have travel insurance with a coverage of at least USD 50,000.
Visa holders are allowed to stay in Belize for up to 6 months. The fee for the Belize digital nomad visa is BZD 500 per adult and BZD 200 per child under 18 years of age. Online applications need to be submitted to the Department of Immigration.
Brazil’s digital nomad visa was introduced in January 2022. The visa enables foreign nationals employed by a company based outside of Brazil to work in the country for the duration of one year (renewable for another year). Requirements include:
Proof of income from sources outside of Brazil,
Monthly income of not less than USD 1,500 or USD 18,000 on accessible bank accounts,
Clean criminal record, and
Health insurance coverage valid in Brazil.
It should be noted that EU nationals traveling to Brazil as a digital nomad don't require a visa to enter the country if they don’t intend to stay for longer than 90 days. The visa fee for applicants from most countries is EUR 120. More information is available on the website of the Brazilian government.
Digital nomads don’t need a special work visa to work remotely from Canada while enjoying the country’s beautiful nature. If you fulfill the necessary requirements, you can live and work in Canada for up to 6 months at a time. To do so, you have to:
Work for an employer outside of Canada and
Be able to do your job remotely.
As of now, there are no minimum income requirements.
Remote workers and freelancers looking for a country with stunning mountains, nice beaches and lush rainforests will find Colombia is the best place to go. In October 2022, the Colombian government finally launched the long-awaited digital nomad visa which enables its holders to work remotely from Colombia for a duration of up to two years.
To be eligible for the Colombia digital nomad visa, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
Monthly income equal to at least three monthly minimum wages, and
Remote working arrangement with an employer or clients based outside of Colombia.
There is a one-time application fee of USD 52, plus an additional fee of USD 177 for the actual visa. For more information about the visa and any additional requirements (documents, passport, and more), check the website of Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A relaxed lifestyle, amazing surfing conditions and, of course, stunning beaches are just some of the reasons why Costa Rica is high up on the list of destinations digital nomads and remote workers want to work from.
With the “Law to attract remote workers and providers of international remote services”, Costa Rica has created its own digital nomad visa which allows its holders to stay in Costa Rica and work remotely from there for their foreign employers and clients for up to one year (renewable for another year).
The main conditions for getting the Costa Rica digital nomad visa are:
Monthly income of at least USD 3,000 (USD 4,000 in case of dependent family members), and
Valid health insurance coverage for the entire duration of stay.
The visa fee is USD 100. Detailed information is available on the website of the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. The application can be submitted via the official online portal.
With the “rentista para trabajo remoto” visa, Ecuador has launched its own special visa for digital nomads and remote workers whose source of income is employment or self-employed services for clients based in countries other than Ecuador. The initial validity period of the visa is 2 years (renewable for another 2 years).
Requirements include:
Valid passport,
Clean criminal record,
Proof of a foreign source of income of at least 3 times the national basic salary, and
Health insurance coverage in Ecuador.
The visa costs USD 320, which includes a USD 50 application fee and an additional visa fee of USD 270. Detailed information on the visa program can be found on the website of the Ecuadorian government (only available in Spanish). The visa application form is available here.
El Salvador’s digital nomad visa is the perfect option for digital nomads and remote workers who want to settle in Central America for a while without having to beat the crowds. The visa allows you to stay and work in the country for up to two years (renewable for another two years).
Here are the key requirements at a glance:
Minimum monthly income of at least USD 1,460,
Valid passport,
Proof of employment contract and regular payments,
Ability to work remotely, and
Clean criminal record.
The only drawback of the visa is its extremely high cost. The visa fee is set at USD 2,825. The renewal costs USD 450.
Mexico’s temporary resident visa allows digital nomads and remote workers to stay in Mexico for any length of time between 180 days and 4 years. In order to qualify for the Mexican remote work visa, you mainly have to:
Meet certain income requirements,
Pay the visa fees in full, and
Run your own location-independent business or be a remote employee working for a company not based in Mexico.
The visa fee is around USD 300. To apply, you have to book an appointment online through the website of the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry, which is where you can also find a list of the documents which are required.
In May 2021, Panama introduced its own digital nomad visa under the name of “visa de corta estancia como trabajador remoto”. The visa period is 9 months (with a possible extension of 9 months). The main eligibility criteria are:
Annual income of USD 36,000 (USD 48,000 when bringing your family),
Existing employment contract with a company or service provision agreements with clients based outside of Panama, and
No employment with local employers or services provided to local clients as an independent contractor.
The application fee for the visa is USD 250, plus an additional USD 50 for the actual visa card.
Uruguay has recently joined the list of countries that offer digital nomad visas. Digital nomads and remote workers can now apply for a residency permit that allows them to legally work from Uruguay for a duration of six to twelve months.
The Uruguay digital nomad visa is intended for remote workers that are employed by a foreign company or work in a self-employed capacity. There are no minimum income requirements and the visa fee is only USD 11 which has to be paid through a local bank.
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Unfortunately, not all destinations that are popular among digital nomads offer remote work visas—at least not yet. Here are some more countries that have stated their intentions to introduce a digital nomad visa.
Andorra: The independent principality situated between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains has been working on a digital nomad visa for a while. However, the details still need to be disclosed.
Cayman Islands: In October 2020, the government of the Cayman Islands introduced a Global Citizen Program under which remote workers and digital nomads were allowed to stay on the islands for a duration of up to two years. The program was stopped in October 2022, but the government is currently mulling a relaunch of the program.
Indonesia (Bali): The government has announced the introduction of a proper digital nomad visa, allowing holders of the permit to stay and work remotely in Indonesia for up to 5 years. However, it now seems that the visa duration will be limited to 60 days (with the option of multiple extensions).
Japan: In an attempt to increase the number of tourists visiting the country, Japan has started working on a remote work visa that will allow foreign nationals to stay and work in the country for an extended period of time.
Montenegro: Montenegro has launched a special program for attracting digital nomads. However, it has been announced that applications will probably only open in 2025.
North Macedonia: The government of North Macedonia is discussing a law on digital nomads along with a special visa permit.
Philippines: A two-year digital nomad visa is currently in the works. Details are yet to be revealed.
Serbia: Serbia is currently discussing the introduction of a proper digital nomad visa. However, digital nomads with sufficient income are already able to apply for an extended stay under a temporary residence visa.
South Africa: The government has announced plans to introduce a special visa for digital nomads; however, details have yet to be disclosed and applications are still closed at the moment.
South Korea: South Korea currently has no legal means of welcoming remote workers and digital nomads. Despite promises made by the government to introduce a digital nomad visa, nothing has happened in this regard yet.
Sri Lanka: The government has paved the way for a new digital nomad visa, but the application process is still pending. With the visa, remote workers and nomads will be able to stay and work in Sri Lanka for one year. The visa fee will be USD 500.
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