What are Digital Nomad Visas and Which Countries Offer Them?
By 2025, surveys suggest that some 35.7 million Americans will be working remotely.
In fact, digital nomads have been on the rise for years as technology has revolutionized the workforce — but the closing of company doors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed even more people out of offices and into alternative lifestyles.
And fueling this movement are countries around the world, which are welcoming digital nomads with novel visas for remote professionals.
In particular, the following seven destinations cater to professionals on the go.
1. Digital Nomad Visa: Brazil
Brazil’s National Immigration Council of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security recently regulated the granting of both temporary visas and residence permits for immigrants who work for foreign employers. They may stay for one year — and renew the visa for a second year — so long as they have proof of work and enough means to sustain life in Brazil.
This is an important step for Brazil in the promotion of one of the most modern labor models.
“The remuneration of digital nomads stems from a source overseas, and the funds brought over by these immigrants warm up the Brazilian economy,” said Jose Vicente Santini, national justice secretary, in a statement. “This is an important step for Brazil in the promotion of one of the most modern labor models.”
2. Digital Nomad Visa: Croatia
From the sandy stretches of Split to the 13th-century cobblestoned corners of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic nation of Croatia beckons business owners and entrepreneurs alike. And it’s among the most recent countries to introduce a digital nomad visa.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Croatia defines a digital nomad as “a third-country national who is employed or performs work through communication technology” for his or her own business or for another company outside of the Republic of Croatia.
However, there are some stipulations. For example, nomads must provide proof of purpose, health insurance accepted in Croatia, a clean criminal record, and subsistence, as well as an address in Croatia. The maximum amount of time remote workers can stay on the visa is 12 months.
While the visa cannot be extended, those who haven’t had enough of the craggy cliffside sunsets or the paradisiacal seashores can submit another application six months following its expiry.
3. Digital Nomad Visa: Mexico
Whether it be the dusty surf towns of Puerto Escondido and Sayulita, the dive destinations of Playa Del Carmen and Isla Mujeres, or the food stall-thronged streets of Mexico City and Oaxaca, Mexico is a hub for laptop-toting professionals. This is especially true for Americans, thanks to the close proximity to the U.S., the convenient time zones and appealing exchange rate.
Already, visitors can stay in Mexico on a six-month tourist visa. However, Mexico also offers nomads a temporary resident visa that’s good for a year and the ability to renew for an additional three. All that’s necessary is proof of a location-independent business or work outside of Mexico, as well as sufficient funds.
4. Digital Nomad Visa: Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s canopied jungles became a magnet for those on the move amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as it remained open to Americans, many of whom flocked to the surf sanctuaries of Santa Teresa and Nosara. The country already had a freelancer visa, called the Rentista, which allows foreigners to stay for up to two full years (with the opportunity to extend), but it was limited. In August 2021, Costa Rica introduced a special one-year digital nomad visa that can be extended for a second year.
Digital nomad visa holders are exempt from local income taxes, and they receive a whole gamut of benefits. For example, they can open bank accounts in the country, drive with their home-country license and more.
5. Digital Nomad Visa: Portugal
Portugal is often touted as expat central. The capital of Lisbon, for example, is teeming with travelers from all over the world — many of whom come to stay and work for the long haul, thanks to the copious laptop-friendly cafes, coworking offices, professional meetup groups and international networking events. All of that — and the pasteis de nata, of course.
Portugal offers visitors two types of visas that benefit digital nomads. These include the temporary stay visa for under a year and the residence permit for over a year, both of which permit independent and entrepreneurial work purposes.
6. Digital Nomad Visa: Mauritius
Mauritius offers a one-year premium visa for digital nomads who can prove that they have sufficient travel funds and health insurance for a long-term stay. Nomads must also have their own location-independent business or work remotely for a company that is not located within the country.
The one-year visa is available to all non-citizens who intend to stay in Mauritius as tourists, retirees or professionals carrying out business or working remotely. As with the others, visitors’ sources of income and profits should come from outside Mauritius.
7. Digital Nomad Visa: Estonia
Estonia was the very first country to create an e-residency program for foreign entrepreneurs with online businesses. Flash forward to August 2020, and the Eastern European country also introduced a one-year digital nomad and freelancer visa for foreigners who wish to establish a Balkan base while working remotely for their own businesses or out-of-country companies.
Applications are available for either a Type C (short stay) or Type D (long stay) digital nomad visa in person at the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate. To be considered for either, visitors must provide evidence of foreign-earned income that meets the minimum threshold (about $4,000) in the six months preceding the application.
