Summary
- Digital nomad visas offer numerous benefits, including extended stay periods and easier, faster, and cheaper application processes compared to other visas.
- Over 50 countries now offer digital nomad visas, with new options continuously launching, making it easier than ever to find a suitable location for remote work.
- Digital nomad visa eligibility criteria generally include age, identification documents, minimum income and proof of employment, residency requirements, and health insurance. Specific requirements vary by country.
All around the world, digital nomad visas are opening the doors to new opportunities for living abroad and long-term travel while having a steady income at the same time. The recent and widespread launch of digital nomad visas is perhaps one of the most significant new concepts in the travel world for anyone with the flexibility to work remotely and the desire to explore a new country, culture, or lifestyle.
There are plenty of things to know about digital nomads and the digital nomad visa, one of which is that the latter offers a lot more benefits than tourist visas and allows visa holders to stay in the country for extended periods of time. But they are far easier, faster, and cheaper to obtain than residency-based or other long-stay visas (for those who meet the eligibility criteria). These visas can also be a great stepping stone for anyone thinking about preparing to move abroad permanently.
Interested in learning more? Here are some important things to know about digital nomad visas.
10 What Is A Digital Nomad Visa?
Digital nomad visas are a type of visa designed specifically for remote workers, with the purpose of allowing them to work online from outside their home country. This new visa scheme came about largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when the world saw a massive shift from office-based to online work and the subsequent flexibility to change physical location while maintaining steady employment.
Digital nomad visas grant legal permission to live and work in a specific country for a period of time, but with the stipulation that the employer is based in a different country or that the visa-holder is self-employed (not working locally).
Digital nomad visas are very different from regular work visas and typically have very different eligibility requirements (more on this later).
9 Do All Countries Offer Digital Nomad Visas?
While not every country offers a digital nomad visa option, there are well over 50 countries that do, and the list continues to grow. In fact, there are so many countries launching their own versions of digital nomad visas on such an ongoing basis that it is difficult to maintain an up-to-date count. For example, here are just a few of the most recent countries to announce new digital nomad visa options in 2023:
- Spain
- Portugal
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Serbia
Whether one is looking to log in with their toes in the sand or while overlooking a spectacular city skyline, those wishing to grab their laptop and hit the road won't have any trouble finding ideal countries for digital nomads.
8 What Is The Eligibility For A Digital Nomad Visa?
While the specific digital nomad visa eligibility criteria vary significantly from country to country, there are some general requirements that tend to be applicable across the board:
- Age: digital nomad visas most often have a minimum age of 18 years old and sometimes a maximum age as well.
- Identification documents: valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of application.
- Minimum income and proof of employment: Applicants need to show bank statements showing a certain minimum monthly income (varies by country) and the duration of their employment by a company outside the country issuing the visa.
- Residency requirements: Some digital nomad visas are only available for certain nationalities.
- Health insurance: In most cases, proof of a private health insurance/travel insurance policy for the duration of the visa is required.
7 How Much Does A Digital Nomad Visa Cost?
As with eligibility, the costs of a digital nomad visa vary depending on the country. There is usually a fee for the visa itself, which can range from under one hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars. On occasion, though, countries with new digital visa programs trying to attract applicants may have little to no application fee. Fees will also be higher for digital nomads wishing to bring their partner or children along with them.
Those looking for inexpensive digital nomad visas may also want to consider the income requirements. The following countries have thresholds of $1500 USD per month or less, with South America offering some of the best cities for digital nomads with favorable economic options:
- Brazil: $1500 USD per month or $18,000 USD savings
- Colombia: $900 USD per month
- Ecuador: $1350 USD per month
- Uruguay: no minimum income requirements and one of the easiest and most lenient countries for obtaining a digital nomad visa
6 Does A Digital Nomad Visa Grant Permission To Work Locally?
While digital nomad visas grant legal working permission, the stipulation is that the company is based outside of the country. Applicants should adhere to the rules of the digital nomad visa, as breaching any terms can result in a canceled visa and removal from the country.
In some cases, though, there are pathways to legal local employment. In Mexico, for example, the so-called digital nomad visa is actually a temporary residency program. The visa itself does not allow employment within Mexico, but a work permit can be obtained through a separate application process for some temporary resident visa holders.
5 How Long Is A Digital Nomad Visa Valid For?
The validity of digital nomad visas ranges from six months to several years. While some of the shorter digital nomad visas may be issued only for a period of three to six months, the good news is that there is almost always an option for renewal or even multiple renewals. Most renewals can be handled completely online, and there is no requirement to leave the country to do so.
For anyone looking to really establish roots abroad, here are some of the countries with the longest-stay options for digital nomad visas:
- Costa Rica: two-year visa with the option to renew for as long as the requirements continue to be met
- Germany: allows for extensions of up to three years
- Mexico: issued for one year, can be renewed up to four years
- Greece: one-year visa that can be renewed twice
- Portugal: issued for one year, can be renewed for up to five years with the possibility of citizenship if all criteria are fulfilled
4 Do Digital Nomad Visas Have Travel Restrictions?
Digital nomad visas are multiple-entry visas, meaning that visa holders can exit and re-enter the country as they please throughout the duration of the visa. There is no need to get a new visa with each entry, such as with tourist visas.
With that said, those who are using temporary residence-based visas to live and work as digital nomads may have to fulfill certain residency requirements if they wish to extend their visas. Below are a few examples:
- Portugal: Digital nomads using Portugal's D7 visa option must remain physically in Portugal for 66% of the time. As the visa is valid for two years, this translates to roughly 16 of the 24 months.
- Mexico: Temporary residency visas can be renewed, but visa holders must be physically present in Mexico on the date of expiration in order to renew.
3 Are There Tax Obligations With A Digital Nomad Visa?
Generally speaking, digital nomad visa holders will continue to pay taxes in their country of permanent residence, but there are many variables and nuances to the specific rules. US tax regulations are particularly complex, so the tax obligations for Americans living and working abroad may be especially confusing.
The US is one of very few countries that relies on a citizen-based tax system, which means that US citizens are responsible for filing federal taxes regardless of where they reside (although they may not actually need to pay anything).
For countries with resident-based taxation (most common in the majority of the world), one is considered a resident for tax purposes after 183 days of residence in the country. Depending on the country, though, digital visa holders may be exempt since the income is foreign-sourced. Ultimately, it will be important to check the specifications of the host country.
2 How To Decide Which Country To Apply For A Digital Nomad Visa In
While some criteria may be non-negotiable or immediately obvious from the get-go, like geographic location and meeting the digital nomad visa eligibility requirements, there are other elements to consider when deciding on where to create one's new home-away-from-home as a remote worker.
- Cultural assimilation: fluency in the local language, presence of a digital nomad community, previous travel experience, and familiarity with the country
- Internet speed: easily overlooked by Americans accustomed to having fast and reliable WiFi at all times, spotty internet access can be a deal-breaker for some would-be desirable remote work locales.
- Cost of living: Besides doing thorough research on housing prices, groceries, and general daily expenses, it is important to consider the exchange rate between one's home currency and that of the country where they will be living as a digital nomad and be prepared for any potential fluctuations. In Mexico, for example, digital nomads have had to tighten the purse strings, with the USD devaluing upwards of 25% against the peso in only a matter of months.
1 More Countries Are Adding Digital Nomad Visa Options
The future of digital nomad visas is bright, with more countries expected to announce new digital nomad visa options as the economic benefits become increasingly apparent. As time goes on, the visa options are becoming more inviting, as well as more inclusive, to appeal to a broad spectrum of digital nomad jobs (rather than only the ultra-wealthy as was common in the past).
In fact, one of the best and most accessible digital nomad visa programs out there is also one of the newest (launched in 2023): Uruguay. No proof of income is required, and the application process is very streamlined. Plus, Uruguay is regarded as the safest country in South America; the cost of living is low while the quality of life is high, and the culture is friendly, lively, and hospitable.