O digital nomadism is not new, however, the trend has been experiencing an out of the corner growth and gaining full strength in the last few years. Driven by the pandemic, which has altered work relationships and made remote work a reality for many, digital nomadism enables new work relationships as well as new ways of living.
Thinking about this growing reality, some countries have taken the lead and created specific visas for remote workers, who do not come to the country only for tourism and not only for business. Want to know some countries that offer visas for digital nomads? Check out our list!
Countries that offer visas for digital nomads
Antigua and Barbuda
Can you imagine living and working in one of the world’s most prized tourist destinations? As a digital nomad in Antigua and Barbuda you can have this experience! The island launched, in 2020, the program The Nomad Digital Resident Visawhich allows remote workers to stay for up to 2 years.
There are some application requirements, and we will tell you what they are:
- Be employed or self-employed and pay income tax in your place of residence or country of origin;
- Have an income of at least US$50,000 per year (approximately R$264,000 at the current dollar exchange rate);
- Proof that your employer is outside a Caribbean country;
- Proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
To apply for a visa, you must pay a fee of $1,500 for one person, $2,000 for couples, and $3,000 for families of three or more.
Barbados
The country of singer Rihanna is another one that has its doors open to digital nomads. The Program Welcome StampThe Welcome Stamp, created by the government of Barbados, encourages long-stay tourists to come to the country.
Check out the requirements needed to live this experience:
- Be employed or self-employed and pay income tax in your place of residence or country of origin;
- Have an income of at least US$50,000 per year (approximately R$264,000 at the current dollar exchange rate);
- Proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
The remote working visa is for 1 year and the application fees are US$2,000 per person or US$3,000 per family – regardless of the number of members.
Bermuda
Still talking about the Caribbean, the Bermuda Islands emerge as an excellent destination option for digital nomads. This is because, besides the obvious natural beauty, the visa application fees are much lower compared to the destinations seen so far.
The Program One (1) Year Residency Certificate was created to boost the local economy, strongly shaken by the pandemic. See what the requirements are:
- Provide proof of employment and demonstrate sufficient means or continuous source of income for your support during your stay;
- Proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay;
- Proof that you have no previous convictions in the courts.
It costs $263 to register – much less than in other paradisiacal locations in the Caribbean.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a sure destination among digital nomads. Therefore, in 2020, the country wasted no time and launched the Rentistawhich is a temporary work visa – valid for 2 years – for freelancers and remote workers.
Let’s go to the requirements:
- Have a monthly income of US$2,500 or a deposit of US$60,000 in a Costa Rican bank;
- The visa allows self-employed workers or entrepreneurs to work in Costa Rica, but you cannot be employed by another company.
The registration fee for Rentista is a one-time fee of $250.
United Arab Emirates
Through the Remote Work Nomad Visadigital nomads can stay living in Dubai for up to a year with their families while working for companies based abroad.
The requirements for application are as follows:
- Prove income of at least $5,000 per month by presenting proof of employment, last month’s pay stub, and three months of bank statements;
- Health insurance that is also valid in the United Arab Emirates.
The visa application fee is $287.
Estonia
The European country is a reference in digital transformation and was the first in the world to create a specific visa for digital nomads. With the Digital Nomad VisaIf you have a Digital Nomad Visa, remote working professionals can move to the country and live there legally.
The requirements are few – and simpler than in other countries – which is a huge advantage for digital nomads. Note down what they are:
- Owning a remote company or working for a company based outside Estonia;
- Monthly income of at least €3,504 for the last 6 months.
The cost of the visa varies according to the length of stay in the country. The short term visa, called “type C”, is valid for 6 months and costs ¤80. The long term license, known as “type D”, is valid for 1 year and costs 100 euros.
Iceland
Finally, we have Iceland to close our list. In 2020 the country opened its borders to digital nomads with the program Work in IcelandIceland, an initiative that allows foreigners to live and work in the country for up to 6 months.
To participate, you need to fit the following requirements:
- Annual income of at least $88,000;
- Prove that you do not work for an Icelandic company;
- Proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
The visa application processing fee is $60, and an additional fee of $43 is required for passport processing.
In which of these countries would you have a good experience as a digital nomad?
