How Many Digital Nomad Visas Are There?
There exist more than 20 digital nomad visas offered globally. At present, there are 24 digital nomad visas that can be sought and five others are undergoing the process of being introduced, as of March 2022.
Digital nomad visas are available in numerous destinations spanning Europe, South America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
The Czech Republic, Croatia, Malta, Brazil, Bermuda, and Greece are among the most sought-after digital nomad visas.
Several countries are now unveiling their proposals to provide digital nomad visas as a means of enhancing their economies and receiving telecommuting professionals.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
A temporary residence permit commonly known as a digital nomad visa enables remote workers to reside in a foreign country.
Renewable digital nomad visas are available, while certain ones may even provide the opportunity for obtaining permanent residency.
The digital nomad visa restricts the applicant from pursuing job opportunities in the country, requiring them to solely rely on their remotely earned income to sustain themselves.
The fundamental idea behind digital nomad visas is to enable remote workers to reside temporarily in foreign countries, although specific regulations and advantages may vary from one nation to another.
How Do Digital Nomad Visas Work?
It’s crucial to comprehend the workings of digital nomad visas before learning the steps to acquire one.
Although the processes and advantages of each digital nomad visa vary, we will provide an example of their typical application method and perks.
After their digital nomad visa application is accepted, the applicant can visit the country and start their new way of life. In certain cases, especially in European nations, those holding digital nomad visas are obligated to apply for a residence permit upon arrival.
The digital nomad visa allows the individual to legally stay in the country but does not permit them to participate in any local economic activities, including job applications.
The visa holder is able to reside and experience their new country, but they are restricted from fully assimilating into its societal mechanisms. Nevertheless, they can take advantage of the lower cost of living in the new country, which may justify their decision to relocate.
Who Qualifies for a Digital Nomad Visa?
To be eligible for a digital nomad visa, one must work remotely and satisfy the prescribed minimum income threshold criteria.
A lot of nations stipulate a monthly income prerequisite that individuals must fulfill as they perceive it as the adequate amount required to sustain a comfortable lifestyle within their borders.
Although there are a few digital nomad visas that don’t have an income prerequisite, most of them, especially those in Europe and South America, necessitate applicants to have a specific income.
To comply with the income requirement for a digital nomad visa, you must provide evidence of your income, such as bank statements, pay stubs, and occasionally tax records.
The ultimate factor that determines whether or not one is eligible for digital nomad visas is the confirmation that they earn sufficient income through remote work to cater for their needs in a new country.
Obtaining a clean criminal record and an international health insurance policy are among the typical requirements, both of which are relatively simple to obtain.
What to Consider When Choosing a Digital Nomad Visa
Numerous visa options exist for digital nomads, though the challenge lies in determining which one aligns with your lifestyle and aspirations.
There are nine distinct aspects that one should contemplate while deciding on a digital nomad visa to pursue.
Income Requirements
The income requirement is the foremost factor in determining which digital nomad visa to select.
Due to the varying nature of digital nomad visas, they each come with their own designated income requirements, which can be either a set amount or based on the average yearly income in the local area.
Suppose you wish to obtain Greece’s digital nomad visa; in that case, earning a minimum of 3,500€ per month is mandatory.
It is imperative to emphasize that the earnings must be derived from a business or a customer based in a foreign country if you intend to obtain the visa.
There is no income requirement in certain countries, such as Bermuda.
By looking for visas that require a specific monthly income or a certain amount of savings, you can narrow down your options for digital nomad visas.
Processing Time
As a digital nomad who values freedom and mobility, waiting for a visa to be processed in a foreign country can be a challenging and daunting experience.
The processing time for digital nomad visa programs varies, with some taking only a few days and others taking one to three months.
An application submitted to Malta, Hungary, or Brazil usually requires a processing time of 30 days, after which applicants will be informed whether it has been accepted or rejected.
However, Bermuda only requires five days to process it!
If you’re pressed for time, you may need to rethink your choice of digital nomad visa. However, if you’re able to be patient and wait for your application to be processed, this should not be a significant issue.
Tax Obligations
Living a fully remote lifestyle can make taxes quite complicated, which is why digital nomads tend to dread them.
It’s worth taking them into account when selecting a digital nomad visa.
In certain nations that offer digital nomad visas, it is possible to avoid paying local taxes, meaning that you will instead be responsible for paying taxes to either your country of origin or tax residency.
If you spend most of the year in Cyprus, you will be obligated to pay local taxes.
It is possible to use online tax calculators to get an idea of the taxes you may have to pay before deciding on a short-term country of residence. Nevertheless, it is advisable to seek the advice of an experienced tax accountant to address your particular circumstances.
Due to their tedious nature, taxes cannot be extensively covered in this article. However, they should be taken into account during the selection process of an appropriate digital nomad visa.
Location and Benefits
It’s a fact that applying for a digital nomad visa is primarily driven by the desire to relish the experience of residing in a foreign country without the concern of exceeding your tourist visa.
By staying in a place for a brief span, you can delve into its culture and create a sense of homeliness.
When deciding on a digital nomad visa, it’s important to take into account the advantages and location of the country you’ll be in.
Digital nomads who obtain a visa for their travels within the Schengen Area, like in Portugal, Estonia, or Hungary, can journey throughout the bloc unrestricted. This benefits digital nomads who desire to discover new places while having a central location.
It is important to take into account the destination’s climate, available activities, culture, and general standard of living when making a decision.
Length of Stay
A digital nomad visa functions as a temporary residential permit and should be noted that it does not necessarily lead to permanent residency or citizenship, particularly if this is one’s ultimate objective.
A majority of visas provide a one-year duration of stay, with few offering the opportunity to renew once or twice.
Although Croatia offers a digital nomad visa, it cannot be renewed after a year and requires individuals to exit the country for a minimum of 90 days before re-applying for the visa.
If you intend to stay in a place for longer than a year, then it is advisable to select a renewable digital nomad visa.
Application Process
Every nation has its distinct procedures, rules, and approach. The application procedures for certain digital nomad visas can be onerous and lengthy, while others can be simple and swift.
To apply for the visa, you might need to be present in your home country or have access to the embassy or consulate of the country.
To apply for a digital nomad visa in Brazil or Portugal, a visit to a local embassy or consulate is required.
All the procedures to acquire the digital nomad visa for Bermuda, Georgia, or Malta can be completed entirely through online means.
If you are in a location far from an embassy, you might choose an application process that is less complicated.
Cost of Living
As a digital nomad, one of the initial factors I consider before selecting a destination is the cost of living. I verify that my earnings meet the corresponding expenses – potentially even affording savings – during my stay in that location.
When selecting a digital nomad visa, it is important to note that the cost of living in the country should also be taken into account, even if you meet the income criterion.
The objective of certain digital nomads is to reside in a less costly location in order to either conserve funds or receive greater value for their money.
It’s important to take into account your financial objectives and status, as well as your desired way of life when contemplating which location to seek a digital nomad visa in.
Family Members
Nowadays, it’s not rare to come across digital nomads who are accompanied by their entire family or partner. Therefore, prior to applying for a digital nomad visa, ensure that it permits your spouse and children to accompany you overseas.
If you have a family to support, the income requirement for most visas will be raised, but the process remains unchanged and individual applications from family members are not necessary.
Although Hungary’s digital nomad visa is available, it is important to note that family members are excluded from the visa application. They are required to submit individual applications with their own personal details and proof of income.
Special Requirements
The criteria for obtaining a digital nomad visa may vary, with certain ones necessitating that you fulfill certain prerequisites to qualify.
To illustrate, to qualify for the digital nomad visa in Norway and the Czech Republic, freelancing is a prerequisite. Furthermore, you must have customers in the country you intend to obtain the visa for.
Make sure to investigate if the specific criteria need to be fulfilled for the digital nomad visa you desire.
Many individuals have expressed a desire for a visa to the Czech Republic, but lacked employment within the country or any business connections.
What Countries Offer a Digital Nomad Visa?
At present, there exist more than 30 nations that provide official visas for digital nomads or visa options that are beneficial for individuals working remotely.
Among the sought-after visas for digital nomads are those that are popular and highly requested.
More countries are in the process of introducing and implementing digital nomad visas too.
Can You Get a Digital Nomad Visa Online?
In the past, getting a visa involved arranging a meeting with an embassy or consulate and waiting several months for a response.
Currently, there exist digital nomad visas that allow online submissions. Thanks to these fast and effective visa application portals, you could hear back in a mere few weeks, or perhaps even sooner!
Can You Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa While Already in the Country?
It’s not uncommon for digital nomads to fall in love with a country they visit and decide to stay there permanently.
Thankfully, there are a few digital nomad visas that permit you to apply for them while residing in the country.
Digital nomads who qualify can apply for a residence permit in countries such as Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Colombia even if they are already in the country as a tourist.
It should be noted that in order to apply for a residence permit, official documents, and sometimes apostilled documents, will be required. Therefore, if you intend to take this path, ensure that you bring all necessary documentation with you.
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