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As businesses refine their remote work policies, workers increasingly make the best out of the newfound flexibility. It's no wonder that the buzz around "digital nomad visa" and “remote work visa" are spiking.
While the word “digital nomad” conjures images of someone who rebels against traditional employment, over the past couple of years, this term has attracted a vast number of professionals, many of whom have found the lifestyle sustainable.
As of 2022, 15.5 million American workers currently describe themselves as digital nomads, a 42% increase from 2020. With all the talk about digital nomadism being the "ideal lifestyle" for an improved work-life balance, you may be wondering whether going for a remote work lifestyle can grant the same freedom and mobility as being a digital nomad.
Before you start looking into how to obtain the visas for you or your team, it's important to understand that not all remote workers are digital nomads.
Many envision fashionable, young digital nomads working on computers on lovely Southeast Asian islands when they think of remote employees. But this image is being conflated with the broader concept of remote working.
The lifestyle of a remote worker is considerably more focused on the work than on the location. A remote worker is not required to come to the office or a specific co-working space. This means they can set their own schedule, allowing them to be in control of their daily routines and work-life balance.
On the other hand, a digital nomad is a type of remote worker who is focused on flexibility and immersion with different cultures. Digital nomads have the freedom to travel anywhere and flexibility to do work on their own hours—as long as there’s an internet connection.
Digital nomads take a leap out of traditional employment, often in pursuit of adventure or a different lifestyle.
As more studies suggest that many jobs in the STEM and non-tech industries can be done remotely, the case is strong for professionals working from any location. Governments across the world are starting to capitalize and come up with new policies on remote work visas. The following is a list of countries and their schemes for remote work visas.
Anguilla’s rather jargony Lose The Crowd Find Yourself. Work. Life. Bliss. scheme offers remote employees a 3-12 month visa for $2000 per individual to enjoy working from the comforts of its sunny beaches.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Antigua and Barbuda’s Digital Nomad Resident (DNR) program provides movers with a two-year visa. Application costs are $1500 for a single visa.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Aruba’s One Happy Workation scheme allows employees from the UK and US to set the base for three months with a digital nomad visa. The visa costs $73 for an individual.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: No
Requirements:
Australia owns bragging rights for its world-class tourist destinations in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. The country has allowed remote employees to work from the country for 12 months through their Working Holiday Visa. The visa costs $384, and employees can renew their visas after their first year.
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
The Caribbean island started offering a Barbados Welcome Stamp for remote workers to set up camp on the island for one year. The visa costs $2000 for individuals.
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Belize is a little-known nation in Central America that has become a hot spot for digital nomads. The country boasts UNESCO Heritage sites and several hundred islands - a great spectacle for visitors. Lower living costs also act as crowd pullers for this workcation destination.
Belize’s digital nomad visa policy goes by the name, Work Where You Vacation. The visa, apt for temporary dwellers, is issued for one month. There are no application costs for this visa.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
With low living costs, Bermuda’s remote worker visa program would entice US, UK, Canada, and EU citizens. Remote workers who hold passports from these countries can apply for a tourist visa and convert into for workcation purposes on arrival. On converting, tourists from these countries are given a 1-year certificate to work from Bermuda.
Citizens outside these countries can still avail the one-year certificate provided they satisfy a few conditions. For these applicants, the visa costs $263.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Brazilian authorities took new measures in 2022 to boost the national economy to attract remote workers to the country. The proposed 12-month digital nomad visa costs $70 and is renewable. This enables remote workers to work in a country with picturesque landscapes and unique cultures.
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Another Caribbean island that woos digital nomads to set up shop in the country is Cape Verde. The country offers digital nomad visas to passport holders from any country in:
Costing a paltry $30 (approx), applicants can avail the country’s digital nomad visa for six months, and applicants can prolong it for another six months.
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
The hugely famous Cayman islands’ started the Global Citizen Concierge to ease entry for digital nomads into the country. For those for whom the beaches are the ultimate unwinder, Cayman islands and its award-winning beaches are paradise. Remote workers can avail of these visas for two years (non-renewable) for $1,469 for a party of 2 applicants.
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Recent developments include Costa Rica’s renewable 24-month digital nomad visa or Rentista. Often vacationed by retirees in the US, the country has furthered efforts to attract people aspiring for lifestyles similar to these digital nomads.
Currently, these visas are offered for freelancers and independent contractors only. The government is still working on a policy that extends to full-time professionals.
The cost of the visa is $250.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Digital nomads can stay in Croatia for up to 12 months with the country's digital nomad visa program established in January 2021. This city is significantly cheaper and has a great deal of nightlife.
The visa costs 155$.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Curacao's At Home In Curacao program is one of the early adopters of the digital nomad visa. The duration of the visa is six months and costs $297.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: No
Requirements:
Through the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa scheme, remote working citizens of non-EU and non-EEA countries can work temporarily in Cyprus.
The application cost for the visa is $63.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
The Czech Republic offers the Zivno visa for digital nomads, and it is a little complex compared to other visas on the list. However, if someone is attracted to the rich history and breathtaking architecture, it is worth going through the complete process. The visa fee is 1,000 Czech Koruna ($43.57).
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Banking on its iconic landscapes and one of the friendliest people on the planet, Dominia set up its Work In Nature scheme to attract working professionals into the country. The visa costs $900 to apply for.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Digital nomads may explore Dubai’s new one-year virtual working program if they love staying and working by the beach. Being ranked 2nd amongst 75 cities in terms of infrastructure quality, safety, freedom, and quality of life, it is one of the world’s best cities to live and work in.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Flora and fauna lovers would love to work from Ecuador, for the country houses 8% of the planet’s animal species and 18% of the world’s species of birds soaring in the skies. Remote workers can apply for the Ecuadorian digital nomad visa to work for 24 months from the country.
Visa applications cost $450.
Income tax liability: No (for up to 6 months)
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
After programs such as e-residency, Estonia has introduced the Digital Nomad visa to help remodel the way people work around the world(C type visa - up to 90 days, D type visa - Between 90 days and a year).
Income Tax Liability: Yes
Minimum Income: Yes
Requirements:
Although Georgia has offered visa-free entry for over 95 countries for a long time, they recently launched the Remotely from Georgia program to enable digital nomads to work and stay there for more than six months.
Income Tax Liability: Yes
Minimum Income: Yes
Requirements:
One of the biggest European economies with a rich history and culture, Germany offers digital nomad visa targeting freelancers and remote workers. The “Freiberufler” or freelancer visa is a one-year work permit that can be renewed.
Income Tax Liability: Yes
Minimum Income: No
Requirements:
Digital Nomad Grenada initiative enables remote employees to discover the Caribbean island’s scenic beaches and simultaneously work remotely for 12 months.
The visa costs $1500
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Often called the traveler’s paradise, Greece is an unforgettable holiday destination with a great history. The country introduced digital nomads visa to attract global remote workers who love working in a peaceful and beautiful location.
Income Tax Liability: Yes
Minimum Income: Yes
Requirements:
Acclaimed as the land of fire and ice, Iceland has been a popular tourist destination for decades. Not only is it a beautiful place to visit, but it is also ranked among the best places to live in. The digital nomad visa offered by Iceland allows remote workers to live and work for up to 180 days and can only be applied through the mail to the Directorate of Immigration with a non-refundable fee of approximately $96.
Income Tax Liability: No
Minimum Income: Yes
Requirements:
With beautiful cities and appealing views, Italy is one of the most sought-after places to visit for people around the world. The great news is that Italy has already confirmed the launch of the digital nomad visa that will enable non-EU remote workers to mix work with leisure in Italy. Although the official list is not out yet, the visa requirements will be similar to the remote work visa offered by Germany or Portugal, such as an adequate income, accommodation confirmation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
However, remote workers can still apply for a “self-employment visa” that may qualify them to reside in Italy for up to two years.
Unfortunately, Jamaica does not provide remote work visas to countries other than the US. No visa is required if the applicant stays for only 30 days. After a month, US citizens can extend their stay for up to one year.
Visas applied for up to 90 days cost $60. To extend beyond 90 days, applicants pay a cost of $140.
Income tax liability: yes
Minimum income: No
Requirements:
According to a recent report, Malta was ranked one of the best countries for remote workers. To spur the hospitality and tourism sector, Malta's government amended their nomad residence permit to permit remote workers to stay and work in the country for 12 months.
The visa costs $320.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
This remote island in the Indian ocean joined the club of countries offering digital nomad visas (Premium Visa) in early 2022. As of March 2022, over 2000 applicants applied for this visa. There are no application costs and it is valid for a one-year renewable period.
Income tax liability: No (for up to 6 months)
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Mexico is the perfect place for winding down after a long day working remotely. A remote workers' paradise is created when you combine this with low living costs.
The visa costs $45 and is valid for 12 months. Residents can renew the visa for 36 months.
Income tax liability: Yes
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Another country that set up a program to attract digital nomads to boost its tourism sector is Montserrat. Their Montserrat Remote Work Stamp allows freelancers to stay and work in the country for a year and is renewable. The visa costs $500 for an individual and $750 for a family.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Home to serene beaches along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, Panama packs an array of adventure and workcation possibilities. The country is a beautiful blend of metropolitan cities and mountainous interiors.
The country introduced its Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers scheme in May 2021 to entice remote working professionals to the country. The visa allows employees to stay and work for 18 months which applicants can extend to nine months. The visa costs $250.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
With breathtaking mountains in its landscape, Serbia provides a diverse range of options for remote workers. The visa costs $95 and is valid for six months.
Requirements:
With breathtaking mountains in its landscape, Serbia provides a diverse range of options for remote workers. The visa costs $95 and is valid for six months.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Those who want to work and live remotely can now do so for up to a year, thanks to the new Seychelles workcation program. The visa costs around $50.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Another cohort from the Caribbean recently introduced its remote work visa in late 2021. The visa allows remote workers to stay and work on the island for 12 months and costs $70 for each person.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Taiwan was named one of the best countries for ex-pats in 2019. Couple this with the country’s unique culture, customs, and cuisine, which ideally positions you to experience Asian culture to its fullest.
The poshly named Gold Card refers to the country’s digital nomad visa policy. The visa allows employees to stay and work for 36 months, costing $160.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Digital nomads and entrepreneurs can apply for a residence permit and temporary resident visa in Portugal. The visa is renewable for five years after the first year.
Income tax liability: No
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Despite Norway’s high cost of living, its robust public services infrastructure and social security make the Scandinavian country ideal for working remotely. Norway offers remote work visa for independent contractors, although plans to extend this to employees is in the works. The visa costs $630 and is valid for 48 months.
Income tax liability: No (up to 180 days)
Minimum income: Yes
Requirements:
Romania is famous for its scenic views and fascinating history and is full of artistic treasures. Moreover, the well-developed internet infrastructure and unlimited co-working spaces make it a perfect hotspot for digital nomads who may stay there for up to 12 months.
Income Tax Liability: Yes
Minimum Income: Yes
Requirements:
Spain is on the verge of launching its digital nomad visa that will be open to non-Spanish workers to live in the country and work remotely for foreign companies. The visa is expected to allow people to stay in Spain for 6 to 12 months. The applicants may also extend their visas for a specific duration if they meet the requirements. Interestingly, this will facilitate freelancers and remote workers to experience life in the country.
Although several countries have jumped on this visa bandwagon, it is still anybody’s guess if these efforts will achieve governmental objectives. But as we head into a work from anywhere future, one thing is sure. Businesses must set up systems and processes to facilitate varying workforce requirements.
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