Digital Nomad Visas - Work From Anywhere In The World

Have you ever dreamed of being able to work from anywhere in the world? You can live in another country and experience it like a local for six to twelve months. The pandemic has enabled many professionals to be able to work remotely from home, and become location independent. This trend has also led to a growth in Digital Nomad Visas – specific visas where countries allow remote workers to live in the country for a period of time.

Below we will look into countries where you can potentially apply for a digital nomad visa and work remotely from there, as well as the benefits. Not every country offers a digital nomad visa, but it is definitely growing in popularity so expect many more countries to be added to the list in the future. Before you know it you could be working from your beach home in Bermuda or exploring Malta in between work meetings.

WHAT IS A DIGITAL NOMAD VISA?

A digital nomad visa, or remote working visa, is a permit or visa that will allow you to live and work in a foreign country, and without needing to apply for residency or citizenship. You must be engaged and work for a foreign company, not a business in your host country.

It allows for mostly remote work professionals to stay longer than traditional tourist visas. The normal stay period is around six months to a year, however some can be up to two years. You may also be able to reapply and continue living in the country once your initial visa period is completed.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DIGITAL NOMAD VISA?

The visa allows you to legally remain in a country for the agreed period of time, rather than worrying you may overstay a tourist visa. You can really explore the destination and experience it like a local. Some digital nomad visas also allow you to bring your family with you. What makes it even better is there are also opportunities for you to use a country as a home base to explore further afield. For example if you receive a digital nomad visa for a country in the Schengen Area, you can travel visa-free within the bloc.

There are also numerous benefits for the country you will be staying in (particularly those countries reliant on tourism who were impacted during COVID). These Visas give the local community an injection of income as well supporting local businesses through various partnerships.

A lot of countries also have established communities and support specifically for digital nomads, which is great if you are moving there by yourself.

ARE THERE ANY CONS?

Working remotely in a new country where you don’t really know anyone can see a lack of community connection, or any direct connection with locals.

It’s also important to remember there will more than likely be different cultures you will need to adjust to when living there, and potentially a new language to learn. But that’s all part of the reason why you wanted to become a digital nomad isn’t it?

Some application processes can also be quite lengthy, so you also need to make sure you build in enough time prior to departing for your destination.

WHAT COUNTRIES HAVE DIGITAL NOMAD VISAS?

You can find digital nomad visas across Europe, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. Some of the most popular digital nomad visas include Czech Republic, Croatia, Malta, Brazil, Bermuda, and Greece. 

The list will constantly evolve as more governments discover the benefits Digital Nomads can bring to their country. Please see the list at the bottom of this article.

WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE THE BEST VISAS?

We would love to say that the best visa is the country you want to live in! Each visa has different pros and cons, from application timeframes through to minimum income and client requirements. It’s best to check out all of the requirements and think about your country preference.

Cheapest Application Fees

If you’re looking for a fee-free application, Georgia and Mauritius both offer digital nomad visas without any application fee (others can cost upwards of $USD3,000). Croatia also offers relatively cheap application fees of between €80 to €130.

Lowest Minimum Income Requirements

For those worried about proving a minimum income, Saint Lucia, Anguilla, and Portugal all offer lower minimum income requirements. The majority of roles on offer through Crossover all cover these minimum income requirements.

Fastest Application Process

If you’re after sun, sand and the quickest application response (can’t wait to start the digital nomad life), then Barbados is the country for you. Applications for the twelve month visa are typically approved within seven days, however you must prove that you have a minimum annual income of $50,000 and the application fee is $2,000. If you don’t want to leave the family or Fido home during your 12 months stay, Barbados also offers a family visa and actively encourages you to bring your pet!

Which Countries Are Difficult To Get A Visa?

Be aware some of the popular countries including Norway and Czech Republic, require you to have a local client engaged or a trade license. If you’re engaged full-time for an overseas employer this might be difficult to arrange.

Remote Work Company Requirements

The majority of visas do require you to prove you are engaged by an overseas company, and can perform your work remotely. This is where Crossover comes in. If you are looking for remote work opportunities so you can start your digital nomad adventure, explore the roles we have available here. 

You could be offered a new remote work role within a week and be starting your journey sooner!

HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR A DIGITAL NOMAD VISA?

Each country has a specific application process and requirements. These include minimum income, proof of health insurance, interviews and application fees. Some also state you must be a freelancer and have clients in your host country (for example Czech Republic and Norway).

It’s best to find out the specific application process and requirements for the country you are interested in residing in, by clicking the country links at the bottom of this article.

ACCESSING REMOTE WORK THROUGH CROSSOVER

As the majority of Digital Nomad visas require proof of remote work employment, if you don’t have a remote role yet, landing a remote work job through Crossover could unlock the door to these opportunities.

Since 2014, Crossover has offered remote full-time jobs with American companies that pay in US dollars. This means you can work from anywhere in the world and not be limited by location (how many countries could you live in), as well as enjoy pay in a stable currency. 

Explore the remote work opportunities we have available, and let us know if you have taken the next step and become a digital nomad!

LIST OF DIGITAL NOMAD VISA COUNTRIES

Below are some countries which offer a digital visa program or similar programs (ie freelancer visa), along with links for more information. Please note this is not exhaustive, as more countries identify the benefits that digital nomad visas offer.

1. Anguilla 
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Bahamas
4. Barbados
5. Bermuda
6. Brazil
7. Cabo Verde
8. Cayman Islands
9. Costa Rica
10. Croatia
11. Curacao
12. Cyprus
13. Czech Republic
14. Dominica
15. Dubai
16. Estonia
17. France
18. Germany
19. Georgia
20. Greece
21. Hungary
22. Iceland
23. Italy
24. Malta
25. Mauritius
26. Mexico
27. Montserrat
28. Norway
29. Portugal
30. Serbia (Belgrade)
31. Seychelles
32. Spain

More information about each Digital Visa program can also be found here.

Update July 2022

Exciting new Digital Nomad Visa coming soon!

In what is exciting news for those digital nomads who want to live in paradise, sun and surf, then the new Indonesian Digital Nomad Visa will be perfect for you! The new 5 year visa will be the longest of any digital nomad visa, and will allow the holder to live without paying any local Indonesian taxes. We will keep you up to date with all of the information as soon as it comes to hand.