Global Digital Nomad Visas | An Incomplete Handbook
What Is Digital Nomad Visa:
Since the 21st century, with the advancement of information technology, a growing number of IT professionals, media workers, language teachers, and freelancers have gradually liberated themselves from the confines of traditional office spaces. They now have the capability to complete their daily work remotely from any location with internet access. This has led to the rise of remote work, which expanded rapidly, especially around the pandemic period.
Some remote workers, having left the traditional office environment, choose to travel the world, carrying their belongings, experiencing diverse cultures while working daily. These individuals are known as digital nomads.
According to EVERKI’s statistics, by 2024, the global population of digital nomads had reached 35 million, with 16.9 million of them from the United States.
With the rise of digital nomads, a specialized visa designed for this group has gradually gained popularity.
This digital nomad visa allows visitors to stay long-term in the issuing country, live there, and work remotely via the internet. Digital nomads can apply for these visas to experience different cultures and live abroad for extended periods. Host countries benefit as digital nomads can boost local consumption, tourism, and even the development of emerging industries.
Generally speaking, digital nomad visas have the following characteristics:
1. Applicants are required to have a stable source of remote work income not originating from the host country and must purchase insurance covering the host country.
These programs often specify a clear income requirement, such as $2000 or $3000 per month. You need to engage solely in remote work and have an income that meets the required threshold to qualify for the respective digital nomad visa.
2. Compared to ordinary visas, the application process and approval procedures for digital nomad visas are greatly simplified. Many countries offer official digital nomad program websites, where applicants can upload basic documents like passports and income proofs, fill out application forms, pay fees, and submit their visa applications in a straightforward manner.
In terms of processing time, unlike some immigration visas which may take several months or even a year or two, the approval process for digital nomad visas is much simpler and faster, often completed within a week.
3. Most digital nomad visas are essentially extended tourist visas that permit remote work. They were not originally designed for immigration purposes.
Typically, these visa programs only allow you to reside in the host country for one to several years, without granting permanent residency or citizenship. However, in some European, and Latin American countries, digital nomad visas can also serve as an economical and convenient pathway to obtain permanent residency and even citizenship.
We will discuss this point further later.
An Incomplete List of Global Digital Nomad Visa Programs:
The global digital nomad movement began to take shape in the 2010s. By the time the pandemic struck, no more than 15 countries in Eastern Europe and Latin America had launched stable digital nomad visa programs.
The pandemic significantly accelerated the development of digital nomad visas. During those years, many governments, driven by economic considerations, introduced a large number of digital nomad visa programs.
As of now, there are at least 48 stable digital nomad visa programs around the world:
Europe:
1. Albania Unique permit for digital mobile workers: This visa requires no specific economic criteria, but generally, applicants need a minimum annual income of $9,800. It is initially valid for one year, can be renewed, and applicants can apply for Albanian permanent residency or citizenship.
2. Estonia digital nomad visa:This visa requires a minimum monthly income of €4,500. The visa is valid for one year, non-renewable, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
3. Bulgaria Freelancer Visa: While Bulgaria does not offer a specific digital nomad visa, digital nomads can apply for the D-type freelancer visa, which has no specific economic requirements. The visa is valid for one year, can be renewed, and can lead to permanent residency and citizenship.
4. Iceland Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of 1 million ISK, approximately $7,310. The visa is valid for six months, after which a 12-month departure is required before reapplication. Applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
5. France Financially Independent Visa: France does not have a specific digital nomad visa, but those with a monthly income of at least €1,800 (typically €3,500 in practice) can apply for the financially independent visa, allowing immigration to France.
6. “Remotely From Georgia” Program: This digital nomad visa is open to 95 countries. It requires a minimum monthly income of $2,000. The visa is valid for one year, can be renewed, and allows for permanent residency or citizenship.
7. Czech Republic Freelancer Visa: This visa is available to residents of eight specific countries, with a minimum monthly income requirement of 60,530 CZK,appxoximately $2,620. The visa is valid for one year, can be renewed, and applicants can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
8. Croatia Digital Nomad Visa: This visa is available to non-EU remote workers, with a maximum validity of one year and non-renewable. There are no specific economic requirements.
9. Latvia Long-stay Visa For Remote Worker: This visa requires applicants to work remotely for an OECD company and earn at least 2.5 times the Latvian minimum wage (approximately $3,433). The Latvia digital nomad visa is valid for one year, renewable, and applicants can apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
10. Romania Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of €3,700. The visa is valid for one year, renewable once, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
11. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: This permit requires a minimum monthly income of €3,500. It is valid for one year and can be renewed up to three times, but applicants cannot apply for Malta permanent residency or citizenship.
12. Svalbard (Norway) Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of €35,000. It is valid for life but requires residing in the harsh Arctic conditions.
13. Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of €3,040 and a Portuguese bank deposit of €9,840. It is valid for two years, renewable, and applicants can apply for local permanent residency or citizenship.
14. Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of €3,500 and has a quota limit. It is valid for one year, and can be renewed twice. Applicants cannot apply for local permanent residency or citizenship.
15. Turkey Digital Nomad Visa: It is open to 36 Western countries, excluding other nations, with no specific economic requirements. It is valid for one year, renewable once.
16. Spain Digital Nomad Visa: The visa requires a minimum monthly income of €2,500. It is valid for three years, renewable for two years, and applicants can apply for Spanish permanent residency or citizenship.
17. Greece Digital Nomad Visa: The visa requires a minimum monthly income of €3,500. It is valid for two years, renewable once, but applicants cannot apply for local permanent residency or citizenship.
18. Hungary White Card: This visa is issued to non-EU remote workers with a minimum monthly income of €3,000. It allows for a maximum stay of two years, without the option for permanent residency or citizenship.
19. Italy Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of €26,000. It is valid for one year, renewable under the same conditions, and applicants can apply for Italian permanent residency or citizenship.
Asia:
1. Abu Dhabi (UAE) Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $3,500. It is valid for one year, renewable for another year, applicants cannot apply for UAE permanent residency or citizenship.
2. Bali E33G Remote Worker Visa: This Visa, launched in 2024, requires a minimum annual income of $60,000. It is valid for one year, without the option for permanent residency or citizenship.
3. Dubai (UAE) Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $5,000. It is valid for one year, renewable, with potential citizenship after 30 years of residence.
4. Malaysia De Rantau Nomad Pass: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $2,000. It is valid for one year, renewable once, but applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
5. Japan Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of ¥10 million, approximately 65,000 USD. It is valid for six months, with a six-month departure required before reapplication, and applicants cannot apply for Japanese permanent residency or citizenship.
Central and North America and the Caribbean:
1. Aruba Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $5,000. It is valid for three months, non-renewable, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
2. Anguilla Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $50,000. It is valid for one year, non-renewable, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
3. Antigua and Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence Program: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $50,000. It is valid for two years and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
4. Barbados Welcome Stamp: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $50,000. It is valid for one year, renewable, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
5. Bahamas BEATS: This visa has no specific economic requirements. It is valid for one year, renewable twice, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
6. Panama Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $36,000. It is valid for nine months, renewable once, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
7. Work From Bermuda Certificate: This visa has no specific income requirements. It is valid for one year, theoretically renewable indefinitely, but applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
8. Belize Work Where You Vacation Program: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $75,000. It is valid for six months, renewable indefinitely, but applicants cannot apply for Belize permanent residency or citizenship.
9. Dominica WIN Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $50,000. It is valid for 18 months, non-renewable, and applicants cannot apply for Dominican permanent residency or citizenship.
10. Grenada Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $37,000. It is valid for one year, renewable once, and applicants cannot apply for Grenada permanent residency or citizenship.
11. Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $3,000. It is valid for one year, renewable once, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
12. Curaçao Digital Nomad Visa: This visa has no specific economic requirements. It is valid for six months, renewable once, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
13. Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum annual income of $70,000. It is valid for one year, theoretically renewable indefinitely, but applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
14. Mexico Financially Independent Visa: While Mexico does not have a specific digital nomad visa, it offers an income residency option for those with a minimum monthly income of $4,400 or a bank balance of at least $74,000. The visa is valid for one year, renewable, and can lead to permanent residency or citizenship. If the applicant’s income or assets are sufficiently high, permanent residency may be granted directly upon the first application.
15. Saint Lucia Live It Programme: This visa has no specific income requirements. It is valid for one year, theoretically renewable, but applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
South America:
1. Argentina Digital Nomad Visa: This visa is available only to countries with visa-free access to Argentina. It typically requires a minimum monthly income of $2,500. The visa is valid for one year, non-renewable, and applicante cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
2. Brazil Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $1,500. It is valid for one year, renewable at least once, but applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
3. Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of three times the local minimum wage (approximately $1,380). It is valid for two years, renewable, and allows for permanent residency or citizenship.
4. Colombia Digital Nomad Visa: This visa is available to countries with visa-free access to Colombia. It requires a minimum monthly income of three times the local minimum wage (approximately $740). The visa is valid for two years, non-renewable, and applicants cannot apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
5. Uruguay Digital Nomad Visa: The Uruguay digital nomad visa, which does not allow for dependents, has no specific financial requirements. It is valid for six months, renewable, and allows for permanent residency or citizenship. Additionally, a stable monthly income of over $1,500 can directly qualify for Uruguay’s permanent residency program.
Africa:
1. Cape Verde Remote Working Program: This visa is open to citizens of Europe, North America, the Portuguese-speaking community, and the Economic Community of West African States. It requires only $1,500 in bank savings to qualify.
2. Mauritius Premium Visa: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $1,500 or a bank deposit of $18,000. The visa is valid for one year, renewable indefinitely, but does not allow for permanent residency or citizenship.
3. Namibia Digital Nomad Vis: This visa requires a minimum monthly income of $2,000. It is valid for six months, non-renewable, with a one-year wait for reapplication.
4. Seychelles Workcation Retreat Program: This visa has no specific income requirements. It is valid for one year, renewable for six months, but does not allow for permanent residency or citizenship.
Other Countries and Regions:
Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Korea, the Philippines, Peru, South Africa, Andorra, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have all announced plans to launch digital nomad visa programs, though specific criteria, visa details, and implementation timelines are yet to be finalized.
The Cayman Islands briefly offered a popular GCCP digital nomad visa program, which has since closed. It remains the only digital nomad visa program to have been discontinued after launch.
Financial Requirements:
Compared to most immigration visas, digital nomad visas generally have lower basic requirements for applicants. These typically include good health, a clean criminal record, and the purchase of health insurance that covers the host country for the duration of the visa.
The core requirement for these programs is financial: applicants need to prove that they are engaged in remote work and can provide sufficient income proof.
Among countries with specific financial requirements, the lowest is Colombia in South America, with a minimum monthly income of $750. The highest is Iceland in Europe, with a required monthly income of 1 million ISK, approximately $7,310.
Below, we list some global digital nomad visa programs, ordered from the lowest to highest income requirements:
Countries Does Not Have Specific Financial Requirements:
Ten countries and regions—Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey, Bahamas, Bermuda, Saint Lucia, Dutch Curaçao, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Seychelles—do not have specific financial requirements. The decision to issue a visa is based on the applicant’s background and personal circumstances.
Countries with a monthly income requirement below $1,000:
1. Albania: Generally considered to require an annual income of €9,800.
2. Colombia: Requires a monthly income of 3,901,818 COP, approximately $750.
Countries with a monthly income requirement between $1,000 and $2,000:
1. Ecuador: Requires a monthly income of $1,380.
2. El Salvador: Requires a monthly income of $1,460.
3. Brazil: Requires a monthly income of $1,500.
4. Mauritius: Requires a monthly income of $1,500.
Countries with a monthly income requirement between $2,000 and $3,000:
1. Namibia: Requires a monthly income of $2,000.
2. Georgia: Requires a monthly income of $2,000.
3. Malaysia: Requires a monthly income of $2,000.
4. Italy: Requires an annual income of €26,000.
5. Argentina: Requires a monthly income of $2,500.
6. Croatia: Requires a monthly income of €2,300.
7. Czech Republic: Requires a monthly income of 60,530 CZK, approximately $2,620.
8. Spain: Requires a monthly income of €2,400.
Countries with a monthly income requirement between $3,000 and $4,000:
1. Panama: Requires an annual income of $36,000.
2. Costa Rica: Requires a monthly income of $3,000.
3. Grenada: Requires an annual income of $37,000.
4. Norway (Svalbard): Requires an annual income of €35,000.
5. Hungary: Requires a monthly income of €3,000.
6. Portugal: Requires a monthly income of €3,040 and a bank deposit of €9,840.
7. Abu Dhabi: Requires a monthly income of $3,500.
8. Latvia: Requires a monthly income of €3,433.
9. Cyprus: Requires a monthly income of €3,500.
10. Malta: Requires a monthly income of €3,500.
11. France: Officially requires €1,800 per month, but in practice, €3,500.
12. Greece: Requires a monthly income of €3,500.
13. Romania: Requires a monthly income of €3,700.
Countries with a monthly income requirement between $4,000 and $5,000:
1. Anguilla: Requires an annual income of $50,000.
2. Antigua and Barbuda: Requires an annual income of $50,000.
3. Barbados: Requires an annual income of $50,000.
4. Dominica: Requires an annual income of $50,000.
5. Mexico: Requires a monthly income of $4,400.
6. Estonia: Requires a monthly income of €4,500.
Countries with a monthly income requirement above $5,000:
1. Dubai: Requires a monthly income of $5,000.
2. Aruba: Requires a monthly income of $5,000.
3. Bali: Requires an annual income of $60,000.
4. Japan: Requires an annual income of ¥10 million, approximately $65,000.
5. Montserrat: Requires an annual income of $70,000.
6. Belize: Requires an annual income of $75,000.
7. Iceland: Requires a monthly income of 1 million ISK, approximately $7,310.
For digital nomad visas from Cape Verde, El Salvador, Mauritius, Mexico (income residency), and Ecuador, you can substitute income proof with bank deposits.
Additionally, most digital nomad visa programs, except Uruguay, allow dependents (spouses and children) to accompany the primary applicant. The income requirements listed above are for single applicants. If you include dependents in your application, the minimum income requirement generally increases by 20% to 100%.
For detailed information about each visa, you can click the relevant links on our website.
Digital Nomad Visa Programs That Can Lead To Immigration:
Digital Nomad Visa Programs That Can Be Applied For Online:
A notable feature of digital nomad visa programs is their simple application process.
As a new concept, many countries have established official websites dedicated to the entire service suite, including project introductions, online application and approval, and even online hotel and tourist attraction bookings. These websites provide a list of all the required documents and step-by-step guides on how to fill out the application form, pay fees, upload documents, and wait for the visa approval results.
By following the instructions and completing the steps on the official website, you can apply for a digital nomad visa without leaving your home, saving you from much of the traditional hassle and complexity associated with visa applications.
Here are some countries that offer online application platforms, with red links indicating their official websites:
- Latin America: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Bahamas, Bermuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat, and Belize
- Africa: Mauritius, Seychelles, and Namibia
For countries not listed, the application process typically involves contacting the nearest embassy or consulate of the destination country by phone, requesting a list of required documents, scheduling an appointment, and attending an in-person interview, much like other standard visa applications.
Tax Implication:
To Be Continued: