Imagine your office being the beaches of Croatia or the Fjords in Norway. It sounds like a dream, but it’s a reality for many digital nomads.
With a remote job, you have the freedom to travel the world and soak up different cultures while you earn money from your laptop.
The only red tape is securing the proper visa to work legally while you travel. So, this complete guide will answer all your questions about securing digital nomad visas and help you take the first step towards an office-free lifestyle.
What is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is someone who works from anywhere in the world using their computer. Whether at their home or on a beach in the Mediterranean, a digital nomad isn’t tied to a traditional office, giving them the freedom to travel the world while still earning money wherever they go.
The digital nomad lifestyle is on the rise, which means countries worldwide are making it easier for people to work and travel with digital nomad visas. To be eligible, you must:
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Have a specific monthly income (this varies between countries).
- Have a job you can do from anywhere (the industry doesn’t matter).
“There are endless remote job opportunities in every industry, from marketing and copywriting to coding and data entry. The key is to find something you love doing so it’s easy to keep it up while you’re traveling.” – Daniel Wolken from Daily Remote
The Benefits of Having a Digital Nomad Visa
There are plenty of benefits to having a digital nomad visa, especially if you love to travel and want to see the world while making money.
- They’re much easier to secure than traditional work visas with more flexible regulations.
- There are no restrictions on how much you can earn, and you usually don’t need a separate business visa to operate.
- Plenty of countries offer digital nomad visas, so you can work from practically anywhere.
- Say goodbye to the daily commute – anywhere is your new office!
- Boost local economies and explore different cultures around the world.
Which Countries Offer The Best Digital Nomad Visas?
Unfortunately, you can’t get a worldwide digital nomad visa and go wherever you want, but there are plenty of excellent visa options around the world.
- Germany: Germany has a freelance visa that allows you to work with start-ups, businesses, and individuals on an as-needed basis.
- Estonia: A dedicated digital nomad visa was launched in Estonia in 2019.
- Costa Rica: The Rentista visa allows you to remain in Costa Rica for two years, but you need to earn at least $2500 a month.
- The UK: The UK’s digital nomad program allows you to work in the country for up to two years, and there are no set rules for how you use your time as long as you maintain your status as a digital nomad.
- Croatia: The digital nomad visa came to Croatia in 2021 to encourage freelancers to visit while working.
- Norway: This visa allows you to work in Svalbard, one of the most expensive places in the entire world. The visa lasts a lifetime, and you only need enough money to support yourself.
- Mexico: The temporary resident visa in Mexico allows you to stay for a year and then extend your stay for another three years after that.
- Portugal: The D7 passive income visa means you can live in Portugal for up to a year, with the option to extend it two years at a time – as long as you can prove you have sufficient income.
- Iceland: To better deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Iceland introduced a digital nomad visa in 2020 called the Iceland remote worker visa.
- Argentina: A special visa for remote workers was launched in Argentina in 2022, allowing digital nomads to work remotely within the country.
Of course, you can technically be a digital nomad in your country of residence and travel without needing a visa. Many digital nomads choose to remain in their country and take exciting new road trips while working on the road.
There are probably plenty of places you haven’t visited in your own country, which could be a great way to get acquainted with the digital nomad lifestyle.
Does the US Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
Unfortunately, the US does not have a visa for digital nomads. However, there are other options for freelancers to live and work remotely through a tourist visa.
“Securing a work visa for the US can be a tricky and lengthy process, but there are ways to fast-track your documents. Although digital nomads don’t have specific visas in the US, there are various categories of temporary work visas to choose from.” – Brad from Pro Se Pro
Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
In most countries, the application process for a digital nomad visa is straightforward:
- Fill out the application form.
- Meet with the embassy or consulate.
- Prepare your documents (passport, proof of salary, proof of insurance, proof of accommodation, and proof of your criminal record).
- Submit your application.
The digital nomad visa application process can cost anywhere from $200 to $2000, depending on the country, so make sure you do your research into the costs before choosing your destination.
Happy Travels!
Don’t let the process of securing a travel visa put you off the digital nomad lifestyle. There is nothing quite like the financial freedom of traveling the world and earning money wherever you go.
Do your research into the country you want to visit, and make sure you have all the right paperwork in place to make the process smooth and stress-free.