What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?
Digital Nomad visa is required for international travel. There are some significant differences between the two, however, a passport is issued by your home country and allows you to travel to other countries. A digital nomad visa is issued by another government that allows you to enter their borders for a set period — usually one year — and requires you to leave when your visa expires.
Passports restrict the activities you can engage in while travelling abroad, such as working or studying, without proper documentation or authorization from local government agencies.
Digital nomad visas are less restrictive because they are designed specifically for remote workers who want flexibility in where they work and how long they stay in each location before moving on.
If you have a start-up that pays your bills remotely, getting a digital nomad visa shouldn’t be too difficult — at the very least, it should be easier than getting a tourist visa.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a person who works from home and travels around the world. They have a job that they can do from their laptop, tablet, or phone, and they frequently earn money by working for companies all over the world.
How To Get a Digital Nomad Visa?
The process of applying for a Digital Nomad visa varies by country. Some countries may allow you to apply online through an official government website. Other countries may require you to apply through a local embassy or consulate. If a country’s embassy or consulate requires you to contact them in person, you may be required to attend an interview to have your information verified or your supporting documents accepted.
The countries and regions listed below offer some form of Digital Nomad visa as of March 2023. Many new countries, however, are launching their own versions of Digital Nomad visas, and some may discontinue their Digital Nomad visa programmes at any time.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation. The list of required items varies depending on the destination. Before applying, double-check your requirements.
Documents required for a Digital Nomad Visa
The following documents may be required to apply for a digital nomad visa:
- Valid passport
- Proof of income over a certain threshold
- Proof of clean criminal record
- Proof of current employment and/or evidence that you can work remotely.
- Bank statement
- Health insurance policy
In most cases, there is also a visa fee to pay. The cost varies greatly depending on the country or territory.
How long does it take to get a visa?
The processing time for digital nomad visas varies depending on the issuing country and the volume of applications received at the time. Some applicants may receive their visa for remote work within a week, while others may have to wait several weeks.
How much does a digital nomad visa cost?
The price of a digital nomad visa varies by destination. Some countries provide free visas, while others charge up to $1,000 USD. The majority of digital nomad visas range between $200 and $500 USD.
Do digital nomads have to pay taxes if they have this type of visa?
In many cases, digital nomads do not have to pay income tax on the income they earn while working remotely from abroad.
The rules, however, may differ depending on where they live, where their company is based, and where they work.
Before becoming a digital nomad, it is critical to check the tax laws of both countries to ensure that you declare any income and do not violate any laws.
What is the validity of a Digital Nomad Visa?
Digital nomad visas may be valid for varying periods of time, depending on the country of issue.
Many allow remote workers to stay for extended periods of time, sometimes up to a year.
Others have a limited validity period and must be renewed.
Do I Have To Pay Taxes Under a Digital Nomad Visa?
While on a digital nomad visa, you are usually required to file a tax return in your home country. This varies according to the country in which you work. For example, if you have a digital nomad visa and stay in Estonia for more than 183 days, you are considered a taxable resident.
However, some countries provide a one-year tax exemption to digital nomads; however, you must first check with your host country.
Best Countries to Get a Visa as a Digital Nomad
Argentina – On May 21, 2022, Argentine authorities issued a special visa for remote workers. The Argentine digital nomad visa enables digital nomads to work remotely for either a foreign or Argentine company.
Costa Rica – The Rentista visa for digital nomads in Costa Rica allows its holder to stay in the country for up to two years, with the option of extending it. It is intended for small investors who wish to provide services in Costa Rica. Though you must demonstrate a monthly income of $2,500, the visa is not difficult to obtain.
Croatia – The Croatian government established the Digital Nomad Visa in 2021 to encourage freelance workers to live and work in Croatia.
Estonia – The Estonian government has created a special visa for digital nomads. The visa is literally called the Digital Nomad Visa, and it will be available by the end of 2019.
Iceland – To better deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Iceland introduced its version of the digital nomad visa in October 2020. The Iceland Remote Worker visa also serves as a temporary residence permit.
Germany – Those who want to work as digital nomads in Germany can apply for a freelance visa. The freelance visa for Germany is very popular because it allows its holder to work with various start-ups, businesses, or individuals on a need-basis and on part-time contracts.
Mexico – If you want to live in Mexico while working as a digital nomad, the Mexico temporary resident visa is the way to go. You can stay in Mexico for a year and then extend your visa up to three times. However, you cannot stay in the country for more than four years with this visa.
Norway – Norway issues visas to digital nomads who wish to live and work in Svalbard, one of the world’s most expensive destinations. A visa is valid for one year. You only need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay. Living in Svalbard may be difficult due to very low temperatures and 24 hours of darkness for three months of the year, November to February, but the life of a nomad is all about challenges.
Portugal – Those who want to live in Portugal as digital nomads can apply for a D7 Passive Income visa, which is like the Costa Rican Rentista visa. The main requirement is that you show that you have enough money and where it comes from. With this visa, you can stay in Portugal for a year and then extend it for another two years. After five years in Portugal with a D7 Passive Income visa, you can apply for a residence permit, subject to passing a Portuguese language knowledge exam.
The Czech Republic – The Czech Republic offers a Freelance Visa to those who wish to work independently in the country. This is an excellent opportunity because the visa is valid for one year and can be extended for another two years. While the visa costs $217, you must show a $5,600 income to obtain it.
What Type of Work Can I Do with a Digital Nomad Visa?
A digital nomad visa typically allows you to do any type of work if you can do it remotely via the internet. However, the most common job types for digital nomads are as follows:
- Content creators.
- Website developer
- Social media marketer
- Digital entrepreneur
Why Should You Get a Digital Nomad Visa?
These modern work visa programmes are critical to understand and master if you want to be a location-independent worker.
While it is one of the most exciting and rewarding lifestyles available today, it does require a lengthy application process that includes numerous application fees and forms.
However, being a digital nomad is one of the best ways to earn a consistent monthly income while travelling the world. If you have any further questions about visa applications, travel insurance, or how to include family members in your freelance visa, please see our ETIAS article.
