Digital Nomad Visas: 50+ Countries You Can Get a Nomad Visa
The Covid-19 pandemic hit the travel industry like a wrecking ball. Costing international tourism and its closely linked sectors to have an estimated loss of over 2.4 trillion in 2020 due to direct and indirect effects of Covid. Leaving us dreaming of faraway lands whilst stuck at home in our pajamas. However, this situation has accelerated the work-from-home trend.
Responding to this shift, many countries took action to enhance their visa programs, recognising digital nomads as a positive force for their economies.
That’s right!
You can pack your laptop alongside your flip-flops and trade your office for a beachside cabana without missing a single meeting! It’s now possible to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa in over 50 different countries.
So, if you want to spice up your passport collection with a few new stamps and embrace a life of adventure get ready. The world of Digital Nomad Visas is your oyster.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
“Digital Nomads” are individuals who embrace a lifestyle of working remotely while traveling. They rely on technology like laptops and the internet to perform their jobs, allowing them to work around the world. This modern approach often involves freelancing, online business, or remote work.
Imagine sipping from a coconut by a tropical beach one day and setting up your virtual office in a bustling European café the next. Digital Nomads are individuals who have cracked the code to a lifestyle that’s all about ditching the typical 9-5.
We are basically modern exploring redefining the concept of work! In the past year, a study found that 83% of surveyed employers reported successful outcomes from the shift to remote work.
Additionally, the study revealed that over 54% of employees expressed a desire to continue working remotely following the pandemic. This convergence of remote work opportunities and the longing for global exploration has created the digital nomad.
Why Are Visas So Important For Digital Nomads
Visas play a crucial role for Digital Nomad due to their ability to dictate the length of stay in a given country.
According to recent data, typically 80% of digital nomads will stay in one place for up to 9 months, while two-thirds prefer to use a destination as their base for 3-6 months and one-third prefer to stay somewhere for one year. The nomadic lifestyle, while liberating, can become expensive, draining, isolating to be constantly on the move.
A longer-term stay facilitated by visas provides a sense of stability and belonging. Which enables the nomad to form relationships and a sense of community.
Think of a visa like a VIP pass enabling you to stay longer creating connections within a community unlike the traditional Tourist Visa which has a limit to the duration of your stay.
A few pros and cons of the digital nomad lifestyle
Pros:
- Flexibility and freedom: This one is my favourite. Having the flexibility to not be tied to a typical 9-5 weekday schedule while working from anywhere in the world is truly a beautiful thing. It also means I can travel to lots of cool places and focus on doing things I love during my free time.
- Increased productivity: I feel more motivated to work because every day I wake up and get to do something a really love; write.
- Personal growth and cultural immersion: Living in Southeast Asia has been an incredible opportunity for growth. I’ve been able to meet so many other digital nomads, as well as a lot of wonderful locals on the island. Being a digital nomad has gotten me outside of my comfort zone in lots of positive ways.
Benefits Of Living As a Digital Nomad
There are many benefits to living as a Digital Nomad. If you’ve ever dreamt of flipping the script on the typical 9-5, then listen up. This lifestyle offers freedom, adventure and the autonomy to structure your workday boosting productivity.
Become apart of a community
As you soak up the sunset in your new temporary home, your contribution to the community is a gift that keeps on giving, as your tourism helps support the places that have welcomed you with open arms.
Boost your confidence & network with others
Living in the style of a Nomad means that navigating uncertainty and problem-solving becomes second nature, along with boosted confidence- you’ll be embracing challenges like a pro! Enjoy connecting with brilliant minds from various industries, giving you a front row seat to international markets.
Lower cost of living
Some of the countries listed below have a significantly lower cost of living than others. The allure of a lower cost of living enables travelers to stretch their finances further whilst simultaneously enjoying a higher quality of life.
Modern technology access
Asia stands out as a prime destination; many parts of Asia such as Thailand lend themselves well to the Digital Nomad lifestyle with high-speed internet and modern co-working spaces within an existing community of expats. With a comparatively low cost of living compared to Western countries, the reduced financial burden creates a positive space where the Nomad can be bold in business decisions.
Here’s a breakdown of the digital nomad benefits:
- Community
- Quality of life
- Flexibility
- Personal growth
What Is a Digital Nomad Visa
It’s important to note that the phrase “Digital Nomad Visa” isn’t always used by the governments that issue them, more general terms are common such as “Residence Permit”.
A digital nomad visa serves the purpose of allowing you to live and work in a foreign country for a specific period typically ranging from a few months to a year or more. It’s important that your primary source of income originates from outside the country you plan to move to.
Around 50 countries have embraced the digital nomad visa, and the results have been remarkably positive. Croatia stands out as having significant potential for expansion in its digital nomad programme. In fact, Croatia has taken a pioneering step by introducing the concept of the first ‘digital nomad village’ in Zadar Croatia.
Not only providing an excellent opportunity for networking among remote workers but also gives the Croatian off-season boost in the economy and a chance for the nomads to explore during a less-crowded season. By actively encouraging the presence of digital nomad, this creates a sense of community and chance to forge friendships.
General Eligibility Criteria For The Digital Nomad Visa
- You must have a specific monthly income, the amount required varies from country to country.
- You must be over 18 years old.
- You must have a job that can be done from anywhere in the world.
TOP 3 European Digital Nomad Visas
Portugal
Portugal, on Europe’s western edge with historic cities, eye-catching coastlines, and warm Mediterranean charm. With its captivating mix of culture and natural beauty, Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has been named the ‘Top City’ for Digital Nomads by Instant Offices 2023 research.
Type of visa: D8 visa
Length of stay: 1-5 years
Cost of visa: €83 along with €73 for a Resident Permit fee
Pros & Cons
One of the pros of life in Portugal is modern infrastructure. Major cities like Lisbon and Porto have reliable internet connection, and co-working spaces. However, cons of Portugal include a busy tourist season during peak times and in Lisbon parking and public transport can be challenging.
HOT TIP! 🔥
Airbnb is a preferred choice for digital nomads to use when booking accommodation as it’s possible to book for a month. It’s worth negotiating with the owner to check whether you can get the price down a little.
Albania
Known as ‘the land of the eagles’ Albania is a beautiful Balkan country home to pristine beaches along the Adriatic and Lonian coasts rich in both history and culture. The underrated small beach town of Ksamil is known as ‘the Maldives of Europe’. Albania has a relatively low cost of living, which explains why it’s fast becoming a hot spot for digital nomads.
Type of visa: Type D visa known as the “Unique permit”
Length of stay: 1 year with option of extension up to 5 years
Cost of visa: Visa fee is based on reciprocity which is determined by how much an Albanian would have to pay to obtain a visa in your country of residence.
Pros & Cons
The pros include the lower cost of living compared to other European destinations Albania offers excellent value for money making it attractive to budget conscious travelers. However, a con of the Albanian visa is the language barrier in the more remote areas English is less widely spoken.
HOT TIP! 🔥
The Albania Digital Nomad Visa is for one year and can be extended for an additional year and after that for five years. If you do the full 7 years you can apply for permanent residency.
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, well known for its beaches, vineyards and forest. Madeira is laid back, affordable and is popular year-round; the weather has an average of 18°C in winter and 23°C in summer. Madeira is known for having adventurous outdoor activities, friendly community and great food.
Type of visa: D8 visa
Length of stay: 1-5 years
Cost of visa: €83 along with €73 for a Resident Permit fee
Pros & Cons
Madeira is known to be one of the safest regions in Europe with a large expat community which is an excellent opportunity for networking. Whilst having a tight-knit community can be a pro, it can also mean limited options for certain services and activities, particularly if you’re used to larger urban areas.
HOT TIP! 🔥
Funchal as the main city has good nightlife which can be a great opportunity for meeting people. It’s also a seafood hotspot for those who love seafood! Don’t stress for veggie and vegans, there are still plenty of places to eat.
TOP 3 Asia Digital Nomad Visa
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island which is well known for its instgram perfect landscapes, warm hospitality and stunning beaches. It is the most popular Indonesian archipelago located in the Indian ocean. The temperature in Bali ranges between 22°C and 32°C. Bali is a world famous destination for surfing drawing wave enthusiasts from far and wide to experience the world renowned surf.
Type of visa: B211a visa sometimes called a Social Visa or a Cultural Visa
Length of stay: Valid for 60 days and can be extended twice for a maximum stay of 180 days (single entry visa)
Cost of visa: $645 USD
Pros & Cons
Bali has become a very popular destination for digital nomads with its affordable cost of living particularly in comparison to Western countries. Bali is well suited for digital nomads and has many internet cafes and fast internet speeds. The fast popularity of Bali causes crowded tourist seasons and slow traffic on the roads.
HOT TIP! 🔥
Bali has a large number of vehicles on the road system. It can get busy during rush hour; this is between 6-8am then again around 5-7pm.
Thailand
Thailand, otherwise known as the land of the smiles located in the heart of South East Asia. This destination has held a special place in the hearts of digital nomads with incredible wifi speeds, low cost of living and friendly community. Thailand is home to some amazing scenery and beaches. Thailand is very well catered for visitors with plenty of transport options to get around the country.
Thailand has a variety of visa options for Digital Nomads which may be suitable depending on your situation. One example is the Smart-S Visa.
Type of visa: Smart-S Visa
Length of stay: Up to 4 years
Cost of visa: Proof of earning of $80,000 per year USD
Pros & Cons
Thailand offers a compelling mix of advantages and challenges for digital nomads. On the plus side, it’s a haven for affordable living, a vibrant community, and well-equipped co-working spaces. The hot climate, tourist crowds, and local regulations might post a challenge for some, must most seem to overcome it.
HOT TIP! 🔥
The cost of living varies greatly depending on location in Thailand. In terms of cities, Chang Mai is known to have a lower cost of living compared to the capital Bangkok.
Cebu
Cebu, located in the Philippines is a captivating destination for digital nomads seeking a combination of well developed modern infrastructure and natural beauty. Cebu has fast internet speeds, co working spaces and modern facilities. As well as the modern landscapes Cebu is surrounded by natural beauty with crystal clear waters with amazing diving and snorkeling. Popular nearby destinations to visit include Moalboal, Oslob and Malapascua.
Type of visa: Digital nomad visa coming soon!
Length of stay: 12 months renewable for another 12 months
Cost of visa: Minimum earning requirement (amount will be set in the future)
Pros & Cons
The natural beauty of Cebu is a massive plus, ranging from beaches to waterfalls. Also the English speaking locals make it much easier for many to get around and breaks down tension barriers. Some downsides are limited public transport options for longer distances. Additionally, the city suffers from occasional traffic jams.
HOT TIP! 🔥
The Philippines is an archipelagic country made up of 7,640 islands around 2,000 of these are uninhabited so if you love exploring you’ll have a lifetime’s worth of new places to discover. Siargao is an up and coming digital nomad hotspot in the south islands.
List Of ALL Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visa
- Albania
- Andorra*
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina*
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Cabo Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Croatia
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Dominica
- Dubai
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Italy*
- Latvia
- Malta
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Montenegro*
- Montserrat
- Namibia
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama
- Portugal*
- Romania
- Saint Lucia
- Seychelles
- South Africa*
- Spain
- Sri Lanka*
- Taiwan
- Thailand
* = Digital Nomad Visa has been announced but not yet implemented.
Each country’s rules vary so ensure that you check for up to date requirements on the government website.
