Which countries offer ‘digital nomad visas’ – and how can you get one?

Travelling the world while working from a trusty laptop means living the dream for millions of self-proclaimed digital nomads. But it’s not only travel bloggers and freelancers who can aspire to such a lifestyle.

Super remote working has filtered into the corporate world, with more entrepreneurs and SMEs choosing to operate in far-flung destinations across the globe.

Indeed, the growing trend for hybrid working and having the flexibility to operate from any number of locations, has also led to a serious spike in the trend for nomadic working. According to research published in October 2021 by ABrotherAbroad, there are now more than 35 million digital nomads worldwide.

Factor in the growing demand for – and access to – flexible coworking spaces and it’s never been easier to work from another city or country.

For example, the Spaces app (which can be downloaded from the App Store) allows employees to book a coworking space or meeting room by the day or even by the hour. Not only does that enhance the employee experience, but can also boost productivity by providing a professional and reliable workplace wherever you are.

Stay legal
However, one of the biggest concerns for remote employees is understanding the legalities of working abroad. The rules can vary from country to country. Firstly, you should check what those rules are with that country’s consulate. Make sure that you keep the consulate’s details on hand as it will be your first port of call should any issues arise.

You should also check the visa conditions, as tourist visas don’t quite cover it. Some countries require private health insurance and proof of earnings. To make the process easier, more and more nations are introducing a Digital Nomad Visa. This enables overseas visitors to live and work in another territory and, in turn, bring in some much-needed tourist dollars.

Bermuda was one of the first countries to adopt the year-long visa scheme, followed by Barbados, Anguilla and Estonia. Here is a selection of other alternative work/life hotspots.

Life’s a beach in Antigua and Barbuda
One of the first nations to launch the Nomad Digital Residence Permit was Antigua and Barbuda, which aimed to lure in remote workers with an adventurous streak.

The visa lasts for two years, but visitors must work for a company, earn at least $50,000 a year and have their own health insurance. If the beach life appeals to you, apply here at $1,500 a pop.

Coworking in Croatia
Croatia welcomes remote workers for up to 12 months. Nomads need to provide proof of self-employment, or employment and must earn a minimum of €2,500 per month.

You must also provide proof of accommodation and health insurance, plus you’ll need an OIB Croatian ID number with the application form. There’s an application fee of 590 Kuna (approximately £66), plus 35 Kuna in tax stamps. But, once that’s all sorted, you could be living the cool Croatian lifestyle for a year.

Double down in Dubai
You can live and work in this desert oasis of Dubai with their one-year virtual working programme. All you need is proof of employment or ownership of a company.

This new remote work visa offers the freedom to work in Dubai while still being employed in your home country. Nomads need to earn a minimum of $5,000 a month, plus have private health insurance with UAE coverage. You can apply for a visa which costs $611 and is valid for 12 months.

Network in Norway
It doesn’t get much cooler (in every sense) than living and working in Scandinavia. Not surprisingly, Norway is a popular destination for digital nomads, not least because you can stay for up to two years on an independent contractor visa.

To apply for a visa you must be self-employed with a contract to work on a project in Norway, relevant qualifications in your field of work, proof of accommodation and a minimum of income of €41,130 per year before tax. There is also an application fee of about $690.

Mix it up in Mexico?
Alternately, head south across the border to Mexico. You can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa for a year as well as having the ability to renew for a further three years. The only caveat is that nomads must earn at least $1,620 per month or have a bank balance showing $27,000.

Or try one of many Spaces locations around the world
If you are planning to live and work in another country, then using a local flexspace is a great solution for maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Spaces offers modern coworking locations across the world.

With coworking spaces in cities around the world, find out how Spaces can help your team embrace the digital nomad lifestyle

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