What is a digital nomad visa, and which countries have them?
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What is a digital nomad visa, and which countries have them?
Helen Jackson
6th December, 2023
Helen Jackson
6th December, 2023
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What is a digital nomad visa?
How long can I stay on a digital nomad visa?
Do I need to pay tax on a digital nomad visa?
What documents do I need for a digital nomad visa?
Things to consider when choosing a destination
Why apply for a digital nomad visa?
Fancy taking your work abroad? Thanks to a digital nomad visa, it's never been easier to work and travel at the same time.
The pandemic opened our eyes to remote working. It turns out knowledge workers don’t have to be chained to an office desk Monday to Friday to be productive — who knew? Instead, remote working is being embraced by both employees and organisations around the world. Hence the increasing number of digital nomad visas available worldwide.
This way of working gives employees a better work-life balance and the opportunity to travel — the flexibility is unmatched. And for employers? A chance to tap into a global skillset; you’re no longer bound by locality; hire the best people for the job, regardless of where they are. Plus, with the rise of collaboration tools, working remotely is now seamless - no more dashing from one floor to another to wait outside a booked meeting room and distracting whoever sits nearest to it.
🚨 A quick Public Service Announcement: most, if not all, digital nomad or temporary residency visas require the applicant to have a minimum monthly or annual income. So bear that in mind when applying!
Keep reading to learn more about digital nomad visas.
What is a digital nomad visa?
A digital nomad visa lets you stay in a foreign country while working digitally and remotely for an organisation based in a different country. So, you could apply for a digital nomad visa (or a temporary residency permit) to live in Montenegro, for example, while working for a US-based company as a freelancer or a full-time employee.
Applying for these visas is becoming increasingly popular across generations, with 72% of UK employees planning to work abroad remotely in the near future. 83% of Gen Z and millennials and 56% of baby boomers would trade their current working model for one where they can work abroad.
But where can you work? There are currently over 50 countries offering digital nomad visas (or their equivalent), with more countries looking to introduce their versions soon, including Sri Lanka. So whether you want to absorb the European culture in Germany, South American in Argentina, or the Middle Eastern in Dubai — you have plenty of options.
How long can I stay on a digital nomad visa?
Most digital nomad visas grant up to a 12-month stay. But some might only grant you six months, whereas others allow up to five years. Some destinations ask you not to return for six months when you can reapply for your visa and begin another stint of working remotely.
Do I need to pay tax on a digital nomad visa?
Most digital nomad visas for knowledge workers are tax-exempt. This means you’ll pay income tax in your original country of residence instead of the country you're visiting, so that's one less thing to think about.
What documents do I need for a digital nomad visa?
It's best to gather all relevant documents to make filling in your application as easy as possible. Each destination might have different document requirements, but here are some general documents you’ll need: a valid passport, proof of work in line with their minimum monthly or annual income, application form, details of your rental property, and proof your job can be done remotely.
Things to consider when choosing a digital nomad destination
It’s important to check you meet the minimum criteria before starting your application. Each destination has its own criteria, so where Croatia asks for a minimum monthly income of 2.539,31 EUR (roughly £2,224), Barbados asks applicants to earn $50,000 minimum yearly (roughly £40,000).
Simply search your ideal country and ‘digital nomad visa’ to see if they offer something along these lines. From there, you can start researching criteria and see if you meet them.
You should also consider the cost of living when choosing your digital nomad destination. For example, Norway is more expensive than 71% of other Western European countries. So make sure you can adequately cover costs in your chosen country.
Like with any big life decision, researching your digital nomad visa options shouldn’t be one you take lightly. Before diving into your application, take time to understand what life would be like for you at those destinations.
Why apply for a digital nomad visa?
Travelling the world is expensive; not many people can afford to take a gap year and put their careers on hold. But armed with a digital nomad visa, you have the opportunity to earn money and travel at the same time.
Whether you’re working for an organisation or working for yourself, you can spend your days working from your laptop and your evenings and weekends exploring your new surroundings and immersing yourself in local culture.
To sum up
If you’re yearning to travel the world as you work, a digital nomad visa could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Countries have different criteria for their version of digital nomad visas, so always check the details with your host country before you apply.
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Written by
Helen Jackson
Content Writer
Helen is a freelance content writer specialising in Software as a Service (SaaS). She has a BA Hons degree in English, a Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification, and over ten years of experience in content marketing.
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