If you want to travel slow and work on the move, doing it well requires planning. Understanding the pros and cons of the visa restrictions you’ll navigate can make or break your journey and your business. As I planned how to take my business fully remote, I compiled this list of countries with digital nomad visas. I’ll keep updating it as new information comes out.
These are ordered roughly by affordability, with the least hoops to jump through or the cheapest near the top, and the more expensive (ie: the Cayman Islands) at the bottom of the list.
A general warning about COVID restrictions: there is still a global pandemic underway. Each country is approaching it differently. For instance, Taiwan’s Golden Card Program is currently NOT processing visa applications as part of its pandemic precautions. Other countries that have focused on tourism in the past, like the Seychelles, created programs targeting remote workers to make up for lost tourism revenue. We haven’t added pandemic restrictions to each country because they can change weekly. Be sure to consider them in your planning.
Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
Portugal
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is one of the most popular cities in Europe for digital nomads, and specific regions of Portugal, like the Madeira Islands, have made a concerted effort to attract digital nomads with the promise of quality internet, delicious food, free coworking spaces, and a welcoming community. Check out the Madeira Islands program here: https://digitalnomads.startupmadeira.eu
Name of Visa Program: Temporary Stay Visa for Independent Work Purposes
How long is the visa for? One year but if you want to stay longer, you can apply for residency.
Who is it for? Non-EU citizens working remotely for companies outside of Portugal
What is the fee to apply? €75
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of €665 in monthly income, along with confirmed accommodation, and return ticket.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/national-visas/necessary-documentation/temporary-stay
Romania
Legislation for Romania’s digital nomad visa program was just approved in the autumn of 2021, so it is not yet implemented, but keep it on your radar as you’re planning. The currently stated length of 90 days is short for a visa of this type though.
Name of Visa Program: Digital Nomad Visa
How long is the visa for? 90 days. Can be extended into a temporary residency permit.
Who is it for? Non-EU individuals working for companies outside of the country.
What is the fee to apply? Unknown.
How much money do you need to qualify? Demonstrate monthly income of €1150+ for the past six months.
Government links to apply or find more information: Once implemented, you’ll be able to apply through the Romanian consulate in your country. There is not currently a government website setup for the visa.
Mauritius
Name of Visa Program: Premium Visa
How long is the visa for? One year with the option to renew
Who is it for? There is a list of countries the visa is open to. See list at link below
What is the fee to apply? Free
How much money do you need to qualify? Monthly income of $1500 USD plus $500 per month for each dependent under 24.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://mauritiusnow.com/mauritius-visa/
Cabo Verde
Name of Visa Program: Remote Working Program
How long is the visa for? Six months, with the opportunity to renew for another six months
Who is it for? Remote workers from Europe, North America, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO).
What is the fee to apply? €20 visa fee and €34 airport fee
How much money do you need to qualify? For individuals: an average bank balance of €1500 for the last 6 months. For families: €2700 for the past 6 months
Government links to apply or find more information: https://www.remoteworkingcaboverde.com/en
The Bahamas
Name of Visa Program: Extended Access Travel Stay
How long is the visa for? 12 Months
Who is it for? Remote workers and students.
What is the fee to apply? $25 USD to submit the application and then there are fees when approved: $1000 for remote workers (and $500 for each dependent if you have kids and you’re allowing them to join you). For students, it’s $500 for each permit.
How much money do you need to qualify? No minimum income requirements but you need to show proof of income or a letter of employment from your employer. Students will need to demonstrate they’re enrolled in an accredited university/college, and also prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://portal.immigration.gov.bs/
Bali / Indonesia
Just to be clear: Bali is not a country. It’s in Indonesia. But the Indonesian government has announced a special visa targeted at digital nomads staying in Bali. Details are slim at this point but keep an eye on this one. Prior to the pandemic, the island hosted one of the largest digital nomad communities in Southeast Asia. The pandemic sent many of those remote workers home. The Indonesian government is planning to recapture the Silicon Bali moniker in a big way when the pandemic gets under control.
Name of Visa Program: Bali Digital Nomad Visa Program
How long is the visa for? Up to 5-years
Who is it for? Given the length of the proposed visa, and taking note of comments made and then retracted by one of Indonesia’s government ministers about wanting to ban backpackers from Bali, expect the government to target this at serious entrepreneurs.
What is the fee to apply? Unknown
How much money do you need to qualify? Unknown
Government links to apply or find more information: We’re watching this one closely, and will provide an update as soon as any news comes out. In the meantime, for details about COVID measures and returning to Bali, checkout: https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/home
Croatia
Name of Visa Program: Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads
How long is the visa for? One year. It cannot be extended. But you can apply for another one six months after the previous visa expires..
Who is it for? Remote workers that are not working for clients or companies in Croatia.
What is the fee to apply? Approximately $200 USD. There are a few different fees and they vary depending on where and how you apply.
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of work outside of Croatia, confirmation of accommodation, and proof that you have regular income 2.5x the average monthly wage in Croatia. If you want to stay for an entire year, they want to see approximately $30000+ USD available to you in your bank account. Confirm the exact amounts when applying at the link below.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/stay-and-work/temporary-stay-of-digital-nomads/286833
Mexico
Name of Visa Program: Temporary Resident Visa
How long is the visa for? 180 days to four years.
Who is it for? Because this is a temporary resident visa and not explicitly a digital nomad visa, the criteria are quite flexible. Many retirees or individuals with a regular income through investments take advantage of this program as well.
What is the fee to apply? $45 USD
How much money do you need to qualify? Monthly income of $2,166 USD or an average monthly bank balance of $36,102 during the previous 12 months.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/leamington/index.php/non-mexicans/visas/115-temporary-resident-visa
Costa Rica
Note that this is not the Rentista visa Costa Rica has had in place for several years. Which visa you go with will depend on your money situation. The Rentista visa requires you to prove you’ll receive $2500 in steady monthly income through something like a pension or a $60000 bank deposit (24 x 2500). If you don’t have that, but you do make $3000 per month, then the Digital Nomad Visa is likely a better option.
Name of Visa Program: Digital Nomad Visa
How long is the visa for? 12 months (with the option for renewal if you stay in Costa Rica for 180+ days during the first year).
Who is it for? Anybody working for a company outside of Costa Rica.
What is the fee to apply? Unknown
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of monthly income of $3000 USD per month ($4,000 for a family) for the previous year.
More information: The visa officially launched as of July, 2022. You can now find all the details and links in this post: How to apply for the Costa Rica digital nomad visa
Norway
Norway’s visa is unique in that they want you to be working as a freelancer for clients in Norway. You can’t get this visa if you’re only working as a freelancer with clients in other countries.
Name of Visa Program: Independent Contractor Visa
How long is the visa for Up to 2-years
Who is it for? Freelancers working on a project for a Norwegian company. It almost doesn’t qualify as a digital nomad visa, but it’s unique in that most of the countries on this list would require you to not be working for a local company. And there’s no stipulation that you can’t be working for companies outside of Norway while on the visa.
What is the fee to apply The visa costs €600
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of annual income over €35719, proof of accommodation, and proof of professional qualification.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://www.udi.no/en/checklists-container/work/checklist–for-self-employed-persons-with-a-company-abroad-/
Curaçao
Name of Visa Program: @HOME in Curaçao program
How long is the visa for? Six months, with the opportunity to renew for another six months
Who is it for? Remote workers, investors, retirees. If you want to qualify as a remote worker, you cannot work for local businesses and you must fit into one of the following categories:
- You work for an employer registered in a foreign country and you have a contract with that employer;
- You conduct business activity for a company that is registered in a foreign country and of which you are a partner/shareholder;
- You offer freelance or consulting services to clients, whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country, and with whom you have contracts.
What is the fee to apply? Approximately $294 USD for remote workers. Fees increase if you want to qualify in the retiree or investor categories. Check the link below for details.
How much money do you need to qualify? Earn enough income to support yourself (or your family). The average monthly cost of living for a one person is around $1500 USD www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Curacao
Government links to apply or find more information: https://athomeincuracao.com/remote-workers/
Bermuda
Name of Visa Program: The Work From Bermuda Certificate
How long is the visa for? 12 months
Who is it for? Remote workers, students, or anybody that can demonstrate a consistent income stream.
What is the fee to apply? The cost is $263 USD
How much money do you need to qualify? They want to see “substantial means” or a guaranteed stream of income. To put this in context: the cheapest price we found for a month-long stay at an Airbnb on Bermuda is $1500 USD and the average monthly stay price is $5300.
Government links to apply or find more information: www.gotobermuda.com/workfrombermuda
Georgia
Prior to the pandemic, Georgia was already actively pursuing remote workers through friendly tax and banking policies, and citizens of 95 countries could spend 12 months in Georgia, which is fairly unique in the world. The Remotely From Georgia program was developed specifically for the pandemic, as Georgia’s borders are closed for tourism.
Name of Visa Program: Remotely From Georgia
How long is the visa for? One year
Who is it for? Online workers, business owners that can operate remotely, and in addition to the usual types of roles, they also mention “creative groups”. Applicants must be from one of the 95 countries that would normally have visa-free access to Georgia for tourism (if the borders weren’t closed for the pandemic).
What is the fee to apply? Free
How much money do you need to qualify? At least $2000 USD per month
Government links to apply or find more information: https://georgia.travel/en_US/article/remotely-from-georgia
Germany
Name of Visa Program: Residence Permit for Self-employment
How long is the visa for? Three months but there is an option to extend up to three years
Who is it for? Freelancers and other self-employed workers
What is the fee to apply €60
How much money do you need to qualify? For freelancers or for entrepreneurs that want to start a business in Germany, you need to provide proof of sufficient funds. There is no specific amount stated, but you need to be able to prove you can support yourself. This seems like a test: Can you effectively budget? To give you a head-start on your budgeting, a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Munich averages: €1295 ($1475 USD) www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Munich
Government links to apply or find more information: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/self-employment
Panama
The government of Panama has eliminated its popular Friendly Nations visa, which was one of the easiest visas to get if you wanted to setup a business in another country. There isn’t a replacement visa with as many perks. But there is a new visa designed specifically for digital nomads, although it does have a higher income requirement than the Friendly Nations visa had. Congratulations to everybody who grabbed a Friendly Nations visa before it disappeared.
Name of Visa Program: Short-Term Visa as Remote Worker
How long is the visa for? Nine months with an option to renew for an additional nine months.
Who is it for? All remote workers and entrepreneurs with a company registered outside of Panama
What is the fee to apply? $300 USD, however, the Panamanian government doesn’t make it as easy as other countries to just apply for visas. You won’t find a friendly, usable website like many of the Caribbean islands have put together to attract digital nomads. You will however find many Panamanian law firms offering to handle your application. Consider that the fee will be higher if you go this route. Ask around on Panama expat Facebook groups for a recommendation on a reliable law firm.
How much money do you need to qualify? Annual income over $36000 USD
Government links to apply or find more information: https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1
Malta
Name of Visa Program: Nomad Residence Permit
How long is the visa for? A one-year program with renewals at the government’s discretion
Who is it for? Non-EU residents who fit into one of these categories:
- Work for an employer registered in a foreign country and have a contract of work; or
- Conduct business activities for a company registered in a foreign country and of which applicant is partner/shareholder; or
- Offer freelance or consulting services, mostly to clients whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country, and with whom the applicant has contracts.
What is the fee to apply? €300
How much money do you need to qualify? Monthly income of at least €2700, prove you have health insurance for the year, and provide your property rental or purchase agreement. You do need to book a place to stay before applying.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://residencymalta.gov.mt/nomad-eligibility/
** Much respect to the team at Residency Malta for creating a government website that makes you feel they actually want you to visit 🙂
Greece
Name of Visa Program: Digital Nomad Visa
How long is the visa for? One year. Extendable up to three years.
Who is it for? Non-EU nationals working for companies outside of Greece
What is the fee to apply? €75
How much money do you need to qualify? €3500 monthly income
Government links to apply or find more information: Applications go through your local Greek consulate: https://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/services/services-for-non-greeks/
Estonia
Name of Visa Program: Digital Nomad Visa
How long is the visa for? One year
Who is it for? Freelancers or remote workers
What is the fee to apply? €80 for a short stay up to 90 days and 100€ for anything longer, up to a full year.
How much money do you need to qualify? The monthly income requirement is €3504 (before tax).
Government links to apply or find more information: https://vm.ee/en/visa-application-forms
Dominica
Out of all the countries with digital nomad visas, we think Dominica’s program has the most winning name. We love nature. We don’t always have to work in nature, but if we absolutely must work, why not do it in nature?
Name of Visa Program: Work In Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa
How long is the visa for? 18 months
Who is it for? Everybody
What is the fee to apply? A $100 USD application fee and either $800 single or $1200 family visa fee.
How much money do you need to qualify? Annual income of US$50000+ or demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and your family. Presumably that means they’re looking for $50k in the bank.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://windominica.gov.dm/details/application-process
Antigua and Barbuda
Name of Visa Program: Nomad Digital Residence (NDR)
How long is the visa for? Two years
Who is it for? Anybody working for a company outside of Antigua & Barbuda.
What is the fee to apply? $1500 USD for individuals, $2000 for couples, and $3000 for families
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of expected income of $50000 USD for each year of the two years
Government links to apply or find more information: https://antigua-barbuda.com/nomaddigitalresidence
Barbados
Name of Visa Program: 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp
How long is the visa for? 12 months
Who is it for? Anybody working for a company outside of Barbados
What is the fee to apply? $2000 USD for individuals and $3000 for families
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of expected annual income of $50000 USD
Government links to apply or find more information: https://barbadoswelcomestamp.bb/
Seychelles
Name of Visa Program: Workcation Retreat Program
How long is the visa for? One year
Who is it for? Remote workers
What is the fee to apply? There is an application fee of around $51 USD
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of funds and travel insurance. There is no specific amount specified for the funding requirement, but for other visas in the past, the Seychelles government has required $150 USD per day ($4500 / month). On the Workcation Seychelles website, the “basic” accommodation they list is around $125 per night. Keep in mind they are looking for remote workers to fill hotel rooms while the tourism industry is in a slump. You won’t get away with pitching a tent on the beach.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://workcation.seychelles.travel/
Anguilla
The program name is wonderfully long and includes the word “bliss”. Anguilla must get some extra points for being the only country to specifically call out self discovery and bliss in a visa program.
Name of Visa Program: The Lose The Crowd Find Yourself. Work. Life. Bliss. Programme
How long is the visa for? Up to one year
Who is it for? Digital nomads, students, and families.
What is the fee to apply? $2000 USD for students or digital nomads. For families, it’s $3000 for a family of four (dependents need to be under 26 years of age). $250 for each additional dependent.
How much money do you need to qualify? Proof of employment or company ownership required but no mention of how much you need to make. However, you do need to book approved properties to qualify for the visa. The official list is here: https://escape.ivisitanguilla.com/the-process
Government links to apply or find more information: https://escape.ivisitanguilla.com/work-from-anguilla/
Dubai / United Arab Emirates
Name of Visa Program: Virtual Working Programme
How long is the visa for? One year
Who is it for? Anybody that meets the financial requirements
What is the fee to apply $611 USD, which includes all application fees and your Emirates ID
How much money do you need to qualify? $5000+ USD per month, with proof of employment (or proof of ownership of the company), last month’s payslip (if you’re an employee), and three months of bank statements.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/business-in-dubai/travel-to-dubai/visas-and-entry/work-remotely-from-dubai
Taiwan
Taiwan is home to our favorite piece of chocolate cake, our favorite meditation hall, and we’re drinking high mountain oolong tea from Taiwan right now. If you want to do all of those things in Taiwan, this is the visa for you.
Name of Visa Program: Gold Card Program
How long is the visa for? Up to 3-years
Who is it for? Workers (remote or otherwise)
What is the fee to apply? An application fee of $100-310, depending on your home country and how long you want to stay
How much money do you need to qualify? It depends on the category you’re applying for. For categories that have a salary requirement, it’s $160000 NTD / month, which is around $5700.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://goldcard.nat.gov.tw/en/
Montserrat
Name of Visa Program: The Montserrat Remote Work Stamp
How long is the visa for? One year
Who is it for? Anybody working for a foreign company.
What is the fee to apply?
$500 USD for single travelers. $750 for families with up to three kids (and $250 for additional dependents)
How much money do you need to qualify? Annual income over $70000
Government links to apply or find more information: https://montserratremoteworker.com/
Czech Republic
Word on the street is that this is annoyingly complicated to apply for and you may also not like the tax requirements. Not only do you need to gather several documents, but getting a response on your application can take months. Out of all of the countries with digital nomad visas, Czechia’s does have a fairly high monthly income requirement, so the extra paperwork seems unnecessary.
Name of Visa Program: Zivnostenske opravneni (Zivno) This basically means: long-term visa based on your trade skill.
How long is the visa for? One year
Who is it for? Non-EU citizens that can pass the skilled trade component of the visa application.
What is the fee to apply? Around $45 USD but this is another visa where many people get help from an immigration law firm or consulting service, which increases the cost.
How much money do you need to qualify? Around $5750 USD per month
Government links to apply or find more information: It’s difficult to find information about the visa on Czech government websites, but one useful site is this list of countries that are allowed to apply for a visa from any Czech consulate: https://www.mzv.cz/washington/en/consular_information/index.html If your country of residence isn’t on the list, you’ll have to apply from there.
Iceland
Name of Visa Program: Long-Term Visa for Remote Workers
How long is the visa for? Six months
Who is it for? Available to remote workers from any country that doesn’t need a visa for tourism in Iceland, but this program is NOT available to EU member countries.
What is the fee to apply? Approx. $100 USD
How much money do you need to qualify? Annual income of at least $88,000 USD
Government links to apply or find more information: https://utl.is/index.php/en/long-term-visa-for-remote-workers-and-their-family-members
Cayman Islands
Name of Visa Program: Global Citizen Concierge Program
How long is the visa for? Two years
Who is it for? Professionals and digital nomads that can work remotely
What is the fee to apply? $1469 USD each year ($500 for each additional dependent)
How much money do you need to qualify? Annual income of $100000 USD for individuals. The amount increases if you’re accompanied by a spouse or dependents.
Government links to apply or find more information: https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/global-citizen-concierge