A number of countries are now offering special digital nomad work visas so that you can stay for 1, 2 or 3 years as a freelance remote worker
Thailand, Estonia, Costa Rica, Barbados, and Georgia are just a few of the countries now offering these visas for remote workers. Below we list the latest up-to-date options.
Table of Contents
The Basics – Why Countries Are Offering Digital Nomad Visas
Many of these visas do have some requirements, such as proof of a certain level of income for the previous tax year, but the levels are quite achievable for many remote workers.
More and more countries are beginning to offer nomad work visas as an opportunity to attract medium and high earners to their country.
The benefit for the country offering the visa is the chance to boost their own country’s economy.
Allowing digital nomads to work in Estonia, for example, the Estonian government in effect have freelancers living, working, and thus spending in Estonia, bringing in money that is earned from abroad, into Estonia.
Indeed, for many of these digital nomad work visas, you have to be working for yourself or for a company that is based abroad (meaning a company not from the country you will get the visa for).
As a result, there are some great visa options becoming available and in some great interesting and exotic locations.
Digital Nomad vs Remote Working vs Freelancer
Because I will be running through a list of the work visa opportunities for you, I just want to clarify what is meant by the term ‘Digital Nomad’, as it can cause confusion:
- A Digital Nomad is someone who works and travels abroad and normally for long periods of time.
- A Remote worker (or someone remote working) refers simply to someone who works for a company or for themselves and work online, without having to work in a company office.
- A freelancer is someone who is self-employed, doing work for clients that they take on.
There is a lot of cross-over and you can fit into all three.
The key point is that ‘Digital Nomad Work Visas‘ are designed for people who want to go and work in the country offering the visa, for a long period of time (i.e. 1 or 2 years) and who will work online, doing work that they already do.
Countries Guide for Digital Nomad Visas
So, here we go. Let’s look at the best digital nomad visas that you can now apply for. And we will update this month often so the information should be fairly up-to-date.
1. Bermuda – The Work from Bermuda Certificate
The British islands territory of Bermuda is a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean, East of the United States mainland, and you can now spend a year there as a digital nomad working.
Requirements
You can apply for the 1-year working visa if you
- Have a job that you can do as a remote worker, i.e. working for yourself or for a company outside of Bermuda
- Are 18 and have no criminal convictions
Applying
You can apply online and the process is surprisingly fast compared to digital nomad visas in other countries. You can often get acceptance within two weeks.
You will need
- Proof that you can work remotely online with work from outside of Bermuda, that you can do online when in Bermuda
- Color scan of the photo page from your passport
- Application fee of USD $263 (an incredibly cheap price when you compare it to the USD$2000 you need if you wish to apply for the Barbados Welcome Stamp one year remote workers – more about that visa later)
- Proof of medical/health insurance cover (Safety Wing provides specialists Nomads cover and are who we use and recommend)
Process
- Complete all fields in the form and upload attachments
- Pay the visa fee through the site above
- Wait one to two weeks to receive your visa by email
Pros and Cons
The cost of the visa is incredibly cheap but Bermuda itself is a pricey location.
- So, if you are used to being a remote worker in Costa Rica, Thailand or Vietnam in terms of the very low cost of co-working spaces, Bermuda might be a bit of a shock for you.
- The island is also relatively small so, if you love meeting lots of new people and having lots of places to visit, Bermuda might possibly be a bit small for you.
- If you want somewhere smallish, easy to get around, and with really friendly people and a sense of community, this is a great island.
- Bermuda is likely to appeal more to you if you are a high-end earner as a digital nomad and where the cost of living is not too much of an issue.
- Bermuda itself is a lovely island to spend a year on and you can find super-fast internet connections.
2. Estonia e-Residency Program or 1-Year Nomad Visa
There are two very interesting options available from the Estonian government and these are the:
- 1 year Digital nomad visa
- e-Residency Program
Estonia is leading the way by introducing an e-Residency program in 2020 and this is the first of its kind worldwide that we are aware of.
Requirements: Digital Nomad Visa
- Apply at your nearest Estonian embassy
- Allow up to 30 days to get the visa
- This visa will not give you any automatic rights to Estonian citizenship
Requirements: e-Residency
To meet the requirements you must:
- Have a geographically independent business
- or be able to work remotely for a company outside of the Republic of Estonia
- Be able to prove that for the previous 6 months that you earned over EUR 3504 (gross rate)
- It’s a 4-stage process that includes Estonian Police & Border Guard Board conducting background checks
How to Apply
To apply you need to go through a 4-step process and
The Estonia government has a dedicated site for learning more about their e-Residency visa and for applying.
Pros and Cons
Personally, I find Estonia a particularly interesting location, in particular, the capital Tallinn.
Tallinn, as a capital city, is very affordable and there is a good choice for coworking and coliving places to choose from.
It’s a lively city and has something for everyone culturally, events-wise, and socially.
The only downside really is that, if you are looking for a tropical co-working and remote working location, close to a beach and with the weather to match, then Estonia doesn’t match up the likes of Costa Rica and Thailand.
Personally, I love Estonia, the people, the food, and the buzz of Tallinn (and the sauna culture).
3. Costa Rica Rentista Freelancers Visa
Costa Rica has become a very popular destination for digital nomads for a number of reasons that include:
- Very low cost of living
- Inexpensive but good quality healthcare
- One of the best countries for natural beauty including rainforests, jungles, volcanos, and stunning beaches
- A fast-growing digital nomad and co-working scene
- And, of course, the new ‘Costa Rica Rentista Work Visa’
Requirements
You need to prove that you earn more than USD$3000 a month and have done so for the last 24 months.
Note also that you should not be working for anyone else if you apply for this visa, i.e., it is in essence for freelancers.
The visa allows you to stay in Costa Rica for up to 24 months but you can also apply to extend it towards the end of your stay.
How to Apply
- Visit the Migracion site to apply
- There is a USD$250 fee involved
- and you will need to ensure that you submit all documents in Spanish
Pros and Cons
Rising numbers of remote workers are moving to Costa Rica for extended periods of time, i.e. 1 to 3 years or even longer, and the reasons are clear. This is a great country as a digital nomad. Our favorite in fact.
4. Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa
One of the first countries to offer visas for digital nomads and in an exotic location is Barbados with their ‘Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa’.
Barbados is a very different option to Costa Rica mainly due to the cost of living given that Barbados has a much higher cost of living.
This option is thus likely to appeal to you more so if you are a high earner.
The visa allows you to live in Barbados for 12 months and can be renewed.
Requirements
- There is a fee of USD$2000, so it’s certainly not the cheapest digital nomads work visa (and USD$3000 for a family one)
- You are also meant to be earning USD$50,000 or more a year but they do not ask for proof of income (at least not at the time of writing this)
- You need to be working for a company not based in Barbados, i.e. the idea is that you are a digital nomad to work in Barbados.
How to Apply
- You can apply here on the official Barbados Welcome Stamp site
Pros and Cons
Barbados is a beautiful country in all ways, i.e. scenically, the people, culture, and foods.
As a digital nomad though many prefer Costa Rica because of the difference in costs. If you can afford it though, the Barbados Welcome Stamp is a wonderful option for a year.
5. Dubai Work Nomad Visa
Another very popular destination for remote workers nowadays is Dubai in the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
You can now apply for a 12-month Dubai remote working visa and experience life in the Emirates.
Requirements
In order to qualify for the Dubai nomads visa you must:
- Have a valid passport with 6 months to run on it
- Have proof that you have health insurance for the duration of your stay in Dubai
- Show proof that you have a monthly income of at least USD$5000 a month or the equivalent in your currency
- The application fee is around USD$280
- You can apply from within Dubai if visiting on a tourist visa
How to Apply
- Follow this link here to the official Dubai Remote Visa information.
6. Georgia Digital Nomads Work Permit (Entry Permit)
This is Georgia the country and not the state in the U.S., just for clarification, as some people do get confused even though one is a country and one a state.
This is more of an entry permit that then means you can work whilst in Georgia rather than being on a work visa per se.
Georgia is a great country as a digital nomad with some great scenery, cheap cost of living, and some great cultural things to see.
Georgia is definitely a great place for a year with lively cities, stunning mountain areas, and coastline.
Requirements
You will need the following:
- To be from one of these 95 countries to quality
- To show proof of health insurance for at least the first 6 months of your stay in Georgia
- Proof that you make an income of the equivalent of USD$2000 or more
- You must be a remote worker working for yourself or someone outside of Georgia.
How to Apply
- To apply for a 12-month permit just go to the Georgia work remotely application page.
7. Mauritius Premium Travel Visa (12 Months Work Permit)
Mauritius really is a tropical paradise and the fact that the Mauritius government now offers 12 months residency visas for digital nomads and remote workers is extremely exciting!
Located in the Indian Ocean, expect to see stunning beaches, palm trees, volcanoes, and crystal clear waters. Welcome to paradise 🙂
Requirements
- The remote worker’s visa for Mauritius is known as the ‘Premium Travel Visa’ and it allows you to stay in Mauritius for 12 months and work
- You must be from outside of Mauritius and you are permitted to work remotely from Mauritius with this visa
- You will need to show proof of travel and health insurance cover for the start of your stay.
- You cannot use the visa to get a job in Mauritius (i.e. your business and income must come from outside of Mauritius)
- You’ll need to show plans for your stay such as where you plan to stay and proof of funds
How to Apply
To apply it is a purely online process and you can start the process here:
Unlike many digital nomad visas, there is no processing charge for the Mauritius Premium Visa – a massive bonus!
8. Germany ‘Freiberufler’ Freelancers Visa & Berlin Artist Visa
Do note though that, if you do get and use this visa, you are expected by the German government to pay taxes in Germany whilst there on this visa.
It is not the easiest freelancer and digital nomad visa to apply for though as the process is a little confusing and you need to complete the application in German.
On this visa though, you can stay in Germany for 12 months (it can be extended to three years).
Requirements
- You will need to be what in German is called ‘Freibe Berufe’. Translated this means a ‘liberal profession‘. A liberal profession is classified as self-employment jobs involving subjects such as healthcare, linguistics, tax, and business advice.
- You might also want to consider the Artists Visa, which allows you to live and work in Berlin, Germany if you are involved with one of the arts such as music, painting, dance, etc.
How to Apply
You are best off finding someone who can help you in German.
In terms of documentation, you will need a CV (resume), completed visa application form, passport, two passport photos, travel insurance, and proof that you can support yourself financially. You can find a full list here on this site.
- To apply for the Freiberufler Freelancers visa follow this link to the German Service Portal.
- For info on the Berlin Artists Visa, you can find some good info here
9. Antigua, St John’s & Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Visa
If you are searching for a tropical paradise from which to work for 12 months or more, in addition to Mauritius, Barbados, and Bermuda, you also have the option of Antigua, St John’s, and Barbuda.
This visa allows you to stay in this tropical paradise for 24 months and with dozens of stunning sandy beaches, coral reefs, and interesting history, this is yet another wonderful remote working visa option.
Requirements
- You must have your own business and from outside of Antiqua, St John’s and Barbuda
- You will need to have proof of health insurance cover for your stay (I recommend Safety Wing cover as they provide plans specifically aimed at digital nomads worldwide).
- Proof is needed that you earn USD$50,000 or equivalent a year
- You are not liable for tax in Antigua and Barbuda on this visa’ i.e. you pay in your normal country of residence
How to Apply
- The official application area online can be found here.
- The application fee at the time of writing is USD$1500 (one person), or USD$2000 for a couple applying together.
- You can also use this page for reading more information on the visa process.
10. Iceland Remote Workers Long-Term Visa
If the idea of living somewhere for one or two years surrounded by natural beauty interests you, Iceland is a fantastic option.
The only problem with this visa is the proof of income level as you’ll see below. This will mean that this visa will be beyond the reach of many digital nomads.
Requirements
- You do have to show proof that you make USD$88,000 (or equivalent in your local currency) in order to apply for the Iceland visa. That was not a typo by the way. Yes, 88,000.
- As with most freelancer visas, you also need proof of health insurance for your stay.
- You also need to be working for someone outside of Iceland.
How to Apply
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11. Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Visa
- You can go directly to the Long-Term Visa application site here
- Visa application fee in total costs around USD$100.
Another place that relies largely on tourism income and that is seeing the opportunity through offering remote worker freelance and digital nomad visas is the Cayman Islands.
This is another visa that is going to be beyond the income level of many remote workers so it does limit who can apply. If you are a high-income earner though, this is another place in paradise!
Requirements
You will need to:
- be earning USD$100,000 or the equivalent in your local currency to apply. This rises to USD$150,000 if applying as a couple.
- be working for a company from outside of the Cayman Islands
- provide proof of identity and proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay
- provide proof of your employment whether it be for your own company or if you work form someone else
- You can find a full list of requirements on the application link below
How to Apply
- You can apply online here
12. Greece Digital Nomad Working Visa
Since January 2021, Greece offers digital nomads visas and, given how cheap the cost of living is in Greece, this visa is likely to be popular.
The rules for the visa are still being perfected given that this nomad’s visa only passed parliamentary approval in December 2020.
Don’t worry though. As details of the visa become available we will keep you up-to-date here on the requirements for the visa.
This is the info we have so far:
Requirements
- You can be self-employed or work for someone else, for a business from outside of Greece
- You should not have previously been a tax resident of Greece
How to Apply
Information is not yet available but we will update this page when we hear more.
13. Monserrat 1-Year Remote Worker Stamp
New for 2021, Monserrat which is a British territory in the Caribbean, on the Lesser Antilles islands, is offering a new 12-month digital nomad work visa.
Requirements
To apply for this remote workers visa, you should:
- Make USD$70,000 a year or more
- Proof of health cover for the duration of your stay in Monserrat
- There is an application fee of USD$500 for the main applicant and additional fees if taking dependants
- Be working for yourself or someone else for business outside of Monserrat
How to Apply
- You can apply directly online through the Monserrat Remote Stamp Visa website
World Travel Resources
I have been traveling for many years and have come to use a lot of travel sites and resources for booking my trips. They represent the companies that I often use and have served me well and they are the first ones I use when booking new trips.
- Booking.com – they tend to provide very competitive prices and the reviews are easy to view, and they normally have something available wherever in the world I am going to. They also now provide airport transfers, local attractions, and flights.
- Safety Wing Travel Insurance – Safety Wing has become one of the leaders in travel insurance, especially for remote workers and digital nomads as they provide cover that includes for long-term stays.
- Get Your Guide – is the site on which I normally book tours (I love to visit the local sports stadia, aquarium, royal palace, and some cultural attractions). With get Your Guide they have excellent customer support and have a wide range of tours.
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