What is a digital nomad visa?

A visa for digital nomads permits legal work in a different country for an extended period, which is easier than obtaining a work visa but longer than a tourist visa.

Traveling freelancers and digital nomads now have the opportunity to remain in their preferred location for a duration of 6 months to 2 years with the digital nomad visa. Moreover, the process of renewal is hassle-free.

Why get it?

Visa restrictions and immigration are two major challenges faced by digital nomads, according to their testimonies.

Prior to the availability of digital nomad visas, travel visas were the sole option for digital nomads. However, these visas restrict tourists from engaging in work within the country and typically limit stays to 90 days. Consequently, digital nomads and freelancers while traveling must essentially pretend to be sightseeing and covertly engage in work.

After their travel visa expires, they must visit the immigration office, endure a lengthy wait, and provide payment in order to renew their travel visa. In certain nations, travel visa renewal is prohibited, causing digital nomads to employ a workaround known as a “visa run.” This involves leaving the country for a brief period to venture to nearby nations before returning to obtain a new stamp on their travel visa (although some countries prohibit this as well).

Performing these actions as a digital nomad for many years will ultimately result in exhaustion, affecting your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you should consider applying for a digital nomad visa because it enables you to avoid travel visa limitations, lengthy wait times at immigration offices, and visa runs. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to work in a novel environment that revitalizes your ingenuity and efficiency.

How to get it?

Here is a general outline of how to obtain a digital nomad visa, taking into account that each country may have its own specific processes and requirements.

Find out whether you are eligible by going to the country’s immigration website or embassy office in your or a nearby country.
Prepare all the necessary documents such as bank statements, passport, and proof of being a digital nomad or freelancer.
Submit all documents either by applying online or at the embassy office.
Wait for approval and processing while planning the long-anticipated travel.
Collect your digital nomad visa, book your flight tickets, and begin your long-term nomadic lifestyle!

To determine the prerequisites and qualifications for every involved nation, access the hyperlinks located at the conclusion of this piece.

Who is eligible for a digital nomad visa?

The eligibility requirements for a digital nomad visa vary by country. However, typically you will need the following to apply for one:

You are location-independent.
You can work digitally and remotely.
You have a stable flow of income and earn more than the minimum requirement.
You are from one of the eligible countries (e.g, Europe allows people from certain countries to apply).
You have proof of employment or ownership of a company.
You have travel or health insurance.

How long does the process take?

The duration to obtain a digital nomad visa can range from 3 to 4 months, depending largely on the specific country to which one is applying.

FAQs about Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa

What is the difference between e-Residency and the Digital Nomad Visa?

The key difference is that the DNV provides holders with the right to stay in Estonia temporarily whereas e-Residency does not provide any travel rights.

E-Residency offers a safe and government-approved digital identification which enables entry into Estonia’s dependable and open e-governance services and business environment. By using their distinctive digital identification card, individuals with e-residency can securely verify their identity online, set up a company in Estonia, digitally sign and encrypt documents and contracts that follow the top EU regulations and can reach a vast number of remote e-services.

e-Residency Benefits | Digital Nomad, Freelancer, Startup Company

Pay state fee and receive confirmation email after successfully submitting. State fee: €100. Depending on the chosen…

For those who desire to operate a business without limits, at a low expense, and with minimal red tape from anywhere in the world, E-Residency is an ideal option. This includes digital nomads and other remote entrepreneurs. However, it’s crucial to note that E-Residency does not grant rights of citizenship, residence, or travel to either Estonia or the European Union.

The DNV offers a temporary arrangement for digital nomads who are qualified to reside and work remotely in Estonia for up to a year. This option is available for individuals who can carry out their work using telecommunications technology, and who are employed by an overseas registered employer or run their company overseas. Freelancers with mostly international clients are also eligible to apply.

The fact that one is on the DNV in Estonia does not grant citizenship or permanent residency rights. Rather, it is a temporary stay and not a residence permit. Additionally, the typical visa regulations and protocols enforced by the Estonian Government must be upheld, along with evidence of digital nomad eligibility.

The DNV application process does not require e-Residency and is not related to it. The involvement of e-Residency does not make the process simpler nor is it mandatory. As of now, there is no integration of e-Residency with the DNV, but there could be in the future. Even if e-residents apply, they will have to follow the same regulations and steps as non e-residents.

Although it is not certain, possessing an e-Residency digital identity card may prove beneficial for DNV holders during their stay in Estonia, enabling them to access certain e-services available in the country.

When did applications open?

The implementation of legislation on 1 August 2020 marked the opening of applications for the DNV.

Before heading to the nearest Estonian Representation or a Police and Border Guard office in Estonia to submit your visa application, you can complete the form online, print it out, sign it, and prepare all of the supporting documents. Refer to FAQ #7 to obtain further information.

Are there any restrictions on eligibility based on my country of origin or the sector in which I work?

Your country of origin or sector of work will not affect your eligibility.

If COVID-19 travel restrictions prevent applicants from traveling to Estonia, they will not be granted the DNV. Refer to FAQ #6 for more information.

Is there a limit to how many DNVs will be issued?

The issuance of applications or visas has no limit.

Due to COVID-19, I can’t currently travel to Estonia because of travel restrictions. Does the DNV enable me to bypass these rules and travel to Estonia?

As a result of COVID-19, citizens of specific countries are currently restricted from travelling to Estonia. If an applicant is unable to travel to Estonia at the time of their DNV application, it will not be granted. Thus, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest travel guidelines for Estonia via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website prior to submitting a DNV application.

We understand that in certain nations, individuals have restrictions on international travel, and thus we recommend that you review your country’s travel regulations attentively prior to submitting your application for the DNV.

How do I apply for the DNV?

Visa application submissions began on 1 August 2020 at the Estonian Representations responsible for visa processing, or alternatively, those already authorized to be in Estonia can apply at a Police and Border Guard office.

Please note that private visa agents or representatives do not have the authority or capability to process DNV applications on behalf of the Estonian Government. The authorized channels to submit a DNV application are either through an Estonian Representation that handles visa applications or a Police and Border Guard office.
I didn’t mean to offend you with my comment earlier. It was simply my opinion and I didn’t intend to cause any harm.

Before proceeding, it is important to thoroughly review the eligibility criteria provided in question 2.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, the subsequent task is to accomplish the visa application form, which has an option of pre-filling it online.

Standard regulations and protocols must be adhered to by the DNV when granting visas for residency in Estonia. These regulations include submitting the appropriate visa application, possessing a valid travel document, paying the state fee associated with the visa application, having sufficient health insurance and financial resources, and passing a background verification. More details regarding these standard regulations and protocols are available in question 10.

Unlike other visas for Estonia, obtaining a DNV requires providing evidence and documentation proving your eligibility as a digital nomad, in addition to following the standard visa application procedures. Refer to question 7 for more information on this requirement.

You have the option to choose between an Estonian long-term visa (D-visa) or a short-term visa (C-visa) for your DNV application, depending on how long you plan to stay. The application can be completed in English, Estonian, or Russian. The state fee for a D-visa is €100 and €80 for a C-visa.

After filling out the application form, ensure to print and sign a copy of it, and collect all necessary supporting documents. Consider making an appointment beforehand, then submit your application and don’t forget the supporting documents to the closest Estonian Embassy or Police and Border Guard office in person.

There is no Estonian Embassy in the country where I am located. How do I apply?

In order to apply for the D visa, it is necessary for you to travel to the Estonian Representation that is responsible for handling visa applications in a different country and do so according to legal requirements.

If you are legally able to travel to Estonia from your present location, such as with a tourist visa and in compliance with any COVID-19 travel limitations/regulations, it may be possible for you to apply at a nearby Police and Border Guard office.

What additional supporting documents can I provide with my application to prove I am a digital nomad?

Apart from the customary steps for applying for a visa, you’ll be required to offer verification and paperwork that demonstrates your qualifications as a digital nomad. This implies that you must provide:

documents certifying that you can perform your work duties independent of location and that you use telecommunications technology in the performance of these duties;
documents certifying that you continue to work either: for a foreign-registered employer, for a foreign-registered company in which you have a shareholding, or as a freelancer or consultant mainly providing services to clients with a foreign establishment according to a contractual relationship;
documents certifying your income during the six months preceding the application and which indicate the amount, regularity, and sources of the income; and
a description of your study and professional life course.

Some examples of documents which can prove the facts mentioned in the first two points are:

a written explanation of the applicant regarding the intention to use the visa for teleworking;
a written confirmation from the employer that the applicant is able to perform work duties remotely;
an employment contract or other contract showing your obligations to your employer or company;
a certificate from the competent authority of the state of location of the applicant concerning the payment of mandatory state or local taxes or social security contributions in the state of location;
a certificate from the competent authority of the state where the company is located, which shows the name, location, field of activity, your participation in the company and information concerning the legal representatives of the company; or
any other documents which prove these facts.

When providing services such as webinars, lectures, and consultancies, freelancers may not always have formal contracts in place. It is advisable for freelancers to aim to have written contracts whenever possible, although emails and other documents can be taken as a form of contract if presented as such. This is because it is possible to enter into a contract via an email conversation. Ultimately, it is important for freelancers to provide written evidence that shows they are providing services and getting paid accordingly.