The world continues to change, thanks to COVID-19 and the increased technological advancements that came with it. As more companies grow their international workforce, entrepreneurs and professionals are now looking for ways to make a living working remotely as digital nomads.
A digital nomad visa, or a temporary residency permit, gives visitors a right to stay in a country and work remotely for a foreign-based business or employer. Typically, the visa lasts for 12 months and then will require an extension for more time (depending on the country issuing the visa). Digital nomads who can work outside their host county or manage a business from anywhere in the world can qualify for this visa.
Not everyone can get a digital nomad visa. The eligibility criteria for most digital nomad visas include, but are not limited to:
The tax situation around digital nomad visas can be complicated and varies from country to country. While some countries expect you to pay their taxes in full, others have tax deductions or special rates, or even no taxes for visa holders!
Countries offering digital nomad visas with zero tax assume you pay tax in your home country. Most countries will also likely require you to have private health insurance while staying in their country.
As of July 2022, Costa Rica offers a Digital Nomad visa for remote workers and service providers. The permit allows the holder to reside in the county for up to two years (which includes the year-long visa plus a one-year extension). Visa holders in Costa Rica are covered for a full income tax exemption from income originating outside Costa Rica.
Requirements:
The Estonian authorities have a special visa called the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers to live in Estonia and legally work for their employer, or their own company, registered abroad. This is part of their larger “E-Residency” program which is a government-issued digital identity and status to provide access to Estonia’s transparent business environment.
Requirements:
Spain is introducing their Digital Nomad visa later this year after publishing the “Startup Law” on July 6, 2022. This visa will be for remote workers and offers a personal income tax reduction for non-resident workers, along with tax incentives for startup companies and investors. Under the proposed law, workers can live and work in Spain for 1 year with an opportunity to extend for 2 more years after that.
Requirements:
The Croatian authority released their Digital Nomad Residence Permit in 2021 to allow freelancers to reside in the country while working. Croatia is a perfect spot to work with a relaxed atmosphere, endless adventure, and beautiful architecture. The permit is valid for 1 year with no possibility to extend, more information here.
Requirements:
Norway is a wealthy (and expensive) country thanks to its oil. Norway offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers wishing to live in Svalbard (an archipelago between Norway’s mainland and the North Pole). Unlike other countries, this visa is valid for a lifetime. Digital nomads who receive this visa will have to pay local taxes while living in Norway and apply for a VAT number.
Requirements:
This region of the world is surrounded by Latin cultures, amazing beaches, and diverse topography. While not technically called a “digital nomad visa”, Mexico offers a Temporary Resident Visa for anyone looking to temporarily live and remotely work there.The temporary resident visa can last from 6 months to 4 years.
Requirements:
While there isn’t a specific visa program designed for digital nomads in Portugal, the D7 visa (also known as the Passive Income Visa) will be a good fit for anyone who works remotely and wants to live in Portugal on a medium to long-term basis. Another great thing about the D7 visa is that it’s a pathway to Portuguese citizenship and an EU passport after living there for five years.
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Iceland unveiled its long-term digital nomad visa in October 2020 as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The visa lasts 180 days and is called the Iceland Remote Worker visa — it can also serve as a temporary residence permit. Iceland is not only a stunning place to visit, but it’s also ranked first on the Global Peace Index.
Requirements:
Czech Republic’s digital nomad visa is different from others because it’s a long-term business visa for freelancers (known as Zivno for short). This visa allows freelancers to live in the Czech Republic for six months to a year and work with Czech citizens and companies for your freelance work. If you love art, history, architecture, food, outdoor activities, lakes, and nightlife, Czech Republic might be the country for you!
Requirements:
Anguilla’s digital nomad program is unique because it also works for students, in addition to remote workers. You will also not be charged any local income tax while staying in Anguilla as a digital nomad. If approved, you can stay in Anguilla for a maximum of 12 months.
Requirements:
If you are looking for a long-term digital nomad visa, you can stay in Antigua and Barbuda for up to 2 years! With the sharp increase in remote working opportunities in 2020, the islands introduced their own digital nomad visa called the Nomad Digital Residence Visa. Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign island country and member of the Commonwealth, and is rated as one of the top tourism destinations in the world.
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Georgia is one of the most open countries to digital workers, allowing almost anyone to open a bank account once arriving there. Moreover, the country also allows tourists from many countries to stay visa-free for up to 365 days, before going through the entire process of getting an official digital nomad visa.
Requirements:
The Bahamas recently launched a program that allows for digital nomads to stay and work remotely for up to one year with their Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program. The program allows both remote workers and students access to the 16 tax-free islands of the Bahamas for up to 12 months.
Requirements:
Barbados has a program called Barbados Welcome Stamp that lasts 12 months with a possibility of extension. The island combines breathtaking beauty with clean air, year-round sunshine, pure drinking water, and a lively spirit. While you will not be liable to pay Barbados Income Tax you will be subject to a 17.5% VAT on any products and services purchased on the island.
Requirements:
Brazil was the first country in South America to announce a digital nomad visa program. If granted the visa, you can stay in Brazil for up to one year with the option to renew for another year. The country is famous for its culture, history, and sports — so whether you like exploring nature or enjoying food and events, Brazil has all you need.
Requirements:
Dubai is a large city located within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and while it’s small in terms of land size, the large amounts of wealth that come from oil and gas make Dubai one of the richest populations on earth (on a per-capita basis). The city announced a remote work program that lets you live and work in Dubai for one year.
Requirements:
Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands west of the African continent. The beautiful country offers a Remote Working Program with a visa that lasts 6 months with option to renew for up to one year. While on the islands you will not have to pay local income tax.
Requirements:
Curaçao is a small island in the Caribbean just outside of the hurricane zone. The country recently launched the @HOME in Curaçao program, its visa grants a 6 month stay with the possibility of extending for six more months. There is no minimum income requirement, and living in Curaçao is among the lowest in the Caribbean.
Requirements:
The Commonwealth of Dominica is a small island country between the Guadeloupe and Martinique islands. The island has mountains, rivers, rainforests, and waterfalls, making Dominica a great place for adventurous exploration. Dominica’s Work In Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa program provides individuals and families the opportunity to work remotely on the island for up to 18 months.
Requirements:
Cyprus is a beautiful island country in the Mediterranean Sea that is rich in history and culture. Their digital nomad visa is known as the Digital Nomad Visa Scheme, and allows remote workers from non-EU/EEA countries to reside temporarily in Cyprus for one year with the option to extend 2 years. The goal of the program is to contribute to the development of the economy of the country.
Requirements:
Greece has the longest coastline in Europe and is a hotspot for history, food, culture, and wonderful weather. Greece has a Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU/EEA citizens as of 2021 that allows remote workers to live in the country for one year, with a possibility to renew for a second year if you still meet the requirements.
Requirements:
Hungary’s White Card Visa targets single people under the age of 40. This visa allows holders to stay in the country for one year, with the option to extend for another year. Unlike some others, this visa is for individual residency and does not allow for couples or families to be joined. Hungary has a much more affordable cost of living compared other countries in Western Europe, and its infrastructure and fast wifi make it a digital nomad’s paradise.
Requirements:
Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean — a perfect spot for people who like exploring Europe, living near the sea, and enjoying historical architecture. Malta recently launched their Nomad Residence Permit which enables holders to work remotely from Malta for one year with the possibility to renew.
Requirements:
Mauritius is a small island country between Africa and Asia, but is considered a part of Africa. Its white beaches and picturesque nature make it a wonderful place for digital nomads. The Mauritius digital nomad visa is called the Premium Visa and allows remote workers to live on the islands for one year with the possibility to renew for another year. One thing to note is that if you spend more than 183 days in Mauritius, you become a tax resident meaning you have to pay local taxes in addition to your home country’s taxes.
Requirements:
Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean with a population of about 5,000. In 2021 they announced the Remote Work Stamp program which allows remote workers to stay and work in Montserrat for one year with possibility of renewal. You will not owe taxes to Montserrat during your stay, and can enjoy a calm and slow-paced lifestyle on the island.
Requirements:
Romania is a top destination for many digital nomads due to it having the fastest internet in the EU, interesting history, and stunning landscapes. They officially announced their digital nomad visa at the end of 2021, which allows visa holders to stay in the country for 12 months. Romania’s cost of living is low as the country is trying to re-activate its economy, which is perfect if you’re planning to stay for long periods of time.
Requirements:
Saint Lucia is a beautiful island in the Caribbean that newly launched their digital nomad visa program called Saint Lucia Live It. This visa does not have a minimum income requirement, and you can stay on the island for 12 months while working remotely. Also, you will not need to pay any local income taxes while living in Saint Lucia.
Requirements:
Seychelles is an African island archipelago with 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. It has beautiful beaches and warm weather to enjoy year-round. The lifestyle is very laid-back and great for those looking to escape the big city life. Their digital nomad program is called the Seychelles Workcation visa, and if granted you can stay up to one year living in Seychelles.
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Belize is a small country located on the east coast of Central America, and one of the most recent to launch a digital nomad visa as part of their Work Where You Vacation program. This visa allows holders to live in Belize for 6 months with the possibility to extend. The national language in Belize is English which makes it easy for digital nomads to chat with locals
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Taiwan was recently ranked as one of the top places in the world for ex-pats to live (by an InterNations Expat Insider report). While Taiwan’s program was not specifically designed for digital nomads, its Gold Card program is an open-ended visa program to attract talent. Even if you don’t meet one of the listed skills, you can apply with a minimum income. The Gold Card allows you to stay in Taiwan for 1 to 3 years, and comes with open work rights (meaning you are free to work for any company).
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The concept of digital nomads is becoming more widespread as more people are able to make a living from anywhere in the world. Many countries are looking to attract high-income digital nomads to help boost their economies, and more countries have continued to create their own digital nomad programs as time goes on.
With the rise of global remote work, there are so many opportunities to hire talent around the world. You can onboard and manage anyone from anywhere with an Employer of Record (EOR) like Remofirst. Book a demo today to see it in action.
