A tourist has the right to remain in a country and operate remotely for an employer or corporation with headquarters abroad with the help of a computer or laptop when they have a digital nomad visa, or in some situations, a temporary residency permission. Depending on the nation issuing the visa, these typically have a 12-month validity period that may be extended for one or more additional years. There will still be a sizable number of digital nomads traveling on tourist visas since it is more affordable or because they do not require a long-term visa. These digital nomad visas are not for everyone.
But Why should you consider getting this visa?
- Flexibility for Remote Working:
There are two key points to note here. A digital nomad visa gives you a high degree of flexibility to work overseas as a remote worker because with this visa;
Your Employer does not need to register or be registered as a Local Entity in the country you are working in. Why is this important, because this is usually the main barrier why most Companies do not hire remote workers resident in certain countries where the company is not registered or operate as a local entity. This means you can be a digital nomad in Portugual and work remotely for a US-based company with ease.
Without a digital nomad status, your employer would have to abide by the labour laws of the country you are resident, and employers do not like this because it creates an extra layer of complexity in their HR process. The digital nomad status elimites this hurdle.
- Lower Financial Requirement:
Relative to other long-stay visas that allow foreigners to work or do business like the Entrepreneurship/Start-Up visa or the Investment Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa is relatively cheaper to afford. Compared to investor visas or golden visas, digital nomad visas have less stringent documentation and financial criteria.
- Part to Permanent Residency and Citizenship:
There are a few nations where getting a digital nomad visa can be a route to citizenship and permanent residency, albeit this does not apply to every nation that offers such a visa. For instance, after two years, OECD nationals in Latvia are able to convert their digital nomad visa to a temporary residence permit. You are then eligible to seek for Latvian citizenship after five years of residence.
- Easy Application Process:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Montserrat, and Saint Lucia are Caribbean nations that have completely online application processes. These programs normally take 1-4 weeks to process.
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Now, let's get into the top 10 countries;
1. Georgia:
Georgia doesn't have a specific visa for digital nomads, but it does permit you to work remotely while you're there. You must provide evidence of your monthly income of $2,000 or a bank statement indicating $24,000. If you work for more than 183 days, you are considered a tax resident and are subject to a 20% income tax rate. Georgia, however, has a fantastic program for lone entrepreneurs that charges only 1% of your company's gross revenue up to roughly $155,000. I believe that this program, for which you must register, is ideal for independent contractors and digital nomads.
Program is free of charge.
Length: One year, but if you register a business under an individual entrepreneur program, you may be able to obtain permanent residency.
Proof of income: $2000 per month
91 out of 137 is the cost of living index.
Internet Speed: 28.68 Mbps for fixed internet and 42.49 Mbps for mobile.
2. Croatia:
The Croatian Digital Nomad Visa attracted a lot of attention in 2021, and all the procedures, paperwork, and laws have been established. You now have a low-cost choice for relocating to Europe and working remotely. It is a temporary residency permit rather than a visa technically. As well as at Croatian consulates and embassies abroad, you can apply while you're in Croatia.
Program fees range from €80 to €130.
Maximum one year, with the option to renewal after six months.
€2,232 a month or €26,790 for a 12-month stay is required as proof of income. This is for one person; each partner or family member will require an additional 10%.
Index of cost of living: 60 out of 137
Internet Speed: 78.48 Mbps fixed internet; 116.26 Mbps mobile internet
3. Estonia:
A one-year digital nomad and freelancer visa was introduced by Estonia to enable you to remain there while conducting remote work. It was the first nation in the world to issue a formal visa for digital nomads.
Program costs: €80 for a short stay and €100 for a long stay.
Duration: One Year
3,504 euros as proof of income
Living expense index: 48 out of 137
Internet speed fixed: 86.56 Mbps, and mobile: 75.21 Mbps
4. Portugal
The D7 Visa, which is available in Portugal and is suitable for digital nomads, has a one-year validity period but is renewable for up to five years. You have the choice to apply for permanent residency after five years. Lisbon, Porto, the breathtaking beaches of the Algarve, and the Islands of Madeira and the Azores are all great places to live and work.
Costs: a visa charge of €83 and a residency permit fee of €72.
1 year to 5 years in length.
Proof of income: €600 per month (this can come from a variety of sources)
Index of cost of living: 66 out of 137
Internet speed fixed: 166 Mbps; internet speed mobile: 62 Mbps
5. Malta
The Nomad Residency Permit is Malta's equivalent of the visa for digital nomads. This program, which is intended for non-EU remote employees, has a one-year duration and is renewable. English is one of the official languages in Malta, which also boasts a national 5G network and more than 300 days of sunshine annually.
Costs Visa: 300 Euros, Family Included
Non-EU remote employees
length: one year, renewable
Income to prove: A rental agreement or property purchase plus €2700 per month.
Index of cost of living: 36 out of 137
Internet Speed: 150.52 Mbps fixed internet; 61.74 Mbps mobile internet
6. Greece
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa is available to non-EU/EEA nationals. This enables you to continue working remotely for a foreign employer or your own foreign-registered firm while remaining in Greece. The original duration is one year, but it can be extended twice for a total of three years.
Visa fee: €75.
Duration: One year with a potential extension of three years.
Monthly income of €3,500 + 20% for a spouse or partner and 15% for each child must be shown as proof.
Index of cost of living: 46 out of 137
39.46 Mbps fixed internet; 93.23 Mbps mobile internet
7. Romania
On December 21, 2021, Romania approved the issuance of a digital nomad visa. This is a 12-month visa that has the option of being extended once for another 12-month period.
Visa Fee: Unknown
Length: One year, with the option of an additional year.
Proof of income: €3,300 per month.
Index of cost of living: 90 out of 137
61.70 Mbps for mobile and 241.35 Mbps for fixed internet.
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8. Hungary
White Card, the Hungarian Digital Nomad Visa, was introduced in November 2021. It is one of the simpler visas for digital nomads, with a monthly income requirement of just €2,000. This is a solo residency permit; joining of families or couples is not permitted. "Singles under 40" are the main demographic this visa is aimed towards. In a nation with some of the best internet speeds in Europe, you can now take advantage of gorgeous Budapest and work remotely from there.
Visa fees are €110 for each application.
Length: one year, with the option of an extra year's extension.
Income to prove: €2,000 per month, last six months' worth of documentation required
Index of cost of living: 94 out of 137
Internet Speed: 71.21 Mbps for mobile and 213.92 Mbps for fixed internet.
9. Albania
Since the beginning of the summer, Albania has enacted a bill that would make it simpler for retirees and digital nomads to obtain a residency card. One permit is now sufficient rather than the two that were previously needed, as the process has been streamlined. The Albanian Digital Nomad Visa has a one-year initial validity period and a five-year maximum extension period. You can apply for permanent residency after serving the whole seven years.
Visa costs: not known
Duration: 12 months, renewable for another 12 months, and then 5 years.
evidence of sufficient income
Index of cost of living: 98 out of 137
Internet Speed: 53.21 Mbps for mobile and 58.02 Mbps for fixed internet.
10. Germany
In Germany, a freelancer's visa is known as an Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbständige Tätigkeit. In essence, it is a residency permit that allows foreign freelancers and independent contractors to live and work in Germany for up to three years. Due to the lengthy 4-month approval process, you must deal with German bureaucracy.
Visa fee: €100.
Duration: six months to three years
Income to prove: evidence of sustainability; additionally, you need a German address
Index of cost of living: 32 out of 137
138.05 Mbps fixed internet; 88.87 Mbps mobile internet
There are lost of Carribian countries offering this visa but we left them out of the list because of the high cost of living and funds needed to proof for the visa, with most starting at $50,000 annually.
Did you know that for just £‎4.99 per month, you can have access to international remote jobs in any field of your choice from top employers and recruiters around the world? These jobs are open to candidates located anywhere in the world. Begin your journey now.
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