20 Digital Nomad Countries Offering Remote Work Visas
Remote work has become more than a trend for millions of people worldwide. It is our new reality to which we have adjusted. It’s been more than a year since COVID-19 started to spread across the globe. Some countries are still closed for travel, while others have already started to welcome tourists. However, some countries have already started offering mid-long term residence visas for remote workers.
The idea of working remotely from exotic places is not new. Freelancers started to look for attractive locations long before the COVID-19 started to spread around the world. If you do not need to go to the office everyday, it’s way more pleasant to work in some beautiful locations surrounded by great nature, warm weather, cheaper prices, and reliable Internet connection.
Now, when the travel is still on pause, some countries are already available for remote workers. Established professionals working on top companies potentially have a higher buying power than an occasional traveler. The countries where tourism was one of the main sources of income are offering remote work visas to welcome more freelancers to come and stay for longer.
Benefits of Remote Work Visas
- Good Internet coverage. Most such countries have good Internet coverage. Strong and stable Internet is the main attraction for digital nomads. So, you may rest assured that your Keepgo lines provide you with stable and reliable services on the top nationwide providers of the country you choose for remote work. You can always check the coverage to ensure your device will be connected in countries offering digital nomad visas.
- Great weather conditions. Another big advantage of remote working visas is getting an opportunity to live in a country with great weather conditions. Digital nomad countries are often the top tourist destinations and offer plenty of fun activities. It means you will never be bored and have plenty of ideas on how to spend evenings and weekends.
- Remote work visas. It’s safe to stay and work in countries offering remote work visas. These countries heavily depend on digital nomads who come to stay there for some time to work and spend money. They spend a lot of time, money, and effort to ensure their cities are safe for expats. If everyone was worried about their safety, it wouldn't be possible for digital nomads to spend months in such destinations.
Remote Visa Requirements
The requirements differ depending on the country. However, there are certain overlaps that many digital nomad countries share. It includes the following requirements:
- While applying for a digital nomad visa, most countries will ask for personal information verification, health insurance, ID, etc. You should be at least 18 years old.
- You should also prove that you can afford staying in the digital nomad country you selected. Different countries may ask for different financial proofs. Some may ask you to confirm that your earnings meet the minimum salary requirements, some others will ask you to have a specific amount of money in your bank account.
- It seems to be obvious, but you need to prove that you are a remote worker. You cannot apply for a digital nomad visa when you quit or take a month of holidays.
20 Best Countries for Digital Nomads in 2021
If you are looking for the best countries for remote workers that are offering long-term digital nomad visas for living and working in distance, then the following list of destinations should come in handy to you.
Anguilla Australia Antigua & Barbuda Barbados Bermuda Costa Rica
Croatia Dubai Estonia Georgia Iceland Indonesia Germany Mauritius
Mexico Norway Portugal Spain Thailand Vietnam
Anguilla
Photo by Ramon Kagie
Anguilla is a British territory in the Carribean attracting digital nomads with the abundance of sun and sandy beaches. They have a special program providing digital nomad visas – Work from Anguilla. The available visa validity lasts from 91 days to 12 months. The $2000 visa fee covers COVID tests per person, surveillance and costs associated with the additional public health presence, the cost of extended immigration time/entry and a digital work permit.
Remote workers staying in Anguilla for a long term will enjoy high-speed internet, affordable International calling rates, online payments, and more. In terms of accommodation, you will have access to conference rooms, business centers, and the last-generation technology.
Keepgo customers will be covered by Digicel, one of the largest nationwide telecommunication networks.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- be aged at least 18 years old;
- a proof of employment outside of Anguilla;
- Police record not older than 6 months;
- a COVID-19 PCR test taken upon arrival and present negative results;
- all travelers should be tested before and at the end of the 10-14 days upon arrival.
Australia
Photo by Photoholgic
Australian Working Holiday Visa lets you also engage in short-term work in the country. You can study for up to 4 months, and travel to and from Australia as often as you need within 12 months.
Applicants should have at least $5,000 AUD saved and show an income of at least $43142 per year before tax.
In Australia, Keepgo customers are covered by Telstra and VHA.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- hold a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction (visa is available only for citizens who hold a valid passport of Belgium Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);
- be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) - except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens who can be 18 to 35 (inclusive);
- apply online from outside Australia;
- not be accompanied by dependent children;
- not have previously entered Australia on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.
Antigua & Barbuda
Photo by Ronald Cuyan
If you are looking for a safe Caribbean island for remote work, take a look at what Antigua & Barbuda offers. The huge tourist destination in the Caribbean Islands offers digital nomads reliable internet connection, a safe environment, warm weather all year long and some of the best beaches in the world to work from.
Antigua & Barbuda has a long-stay visa programme called Nomad Digital Residence (NDR). It is designed for people whose work can be done remotely and are desirous of doing so from a safe Caribbean island with all modern amenities, including reliable and fast telecommunications to the world. While staying on the island, Keepgo customers can use the wireless communication services from Digicel.
Antigua & Barbuda provide digital nomad visas valid for 2 years. Successful applicants have the permission to travel in and out of the county during that period.
While staying in Antigua & Barbuda, Keepgo customers will be covered by Digicel.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- work remotely for a company based outside of Antigua & Barbuda or own a location independent business;
- have your own travel/health insurance plan;
- earn at least $50,000/year.
Barbados
Photo by Cédric Frixon
Barbados also welcomes digital nomads with a 12-month visa, which can be renewed for longer. They offer Barbados Welcome Stamp, a special visa for remote workers who want to work and live in Barbados. The eastern Caribbean island has all the ingredients for a truly inspiring home away from home. You can enjoy the tropical climate year round, eat tasty food and party at the centre of Bajan culture.
When staying in Barbados, Keepgo customers can take advantage of connectivity services provided by Digicel.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- work remotely for a company based outside of Barbados or own a location independent business;
- have your own travel/health insurance plan;
- earn at least $50,000 per year;
- present a COVID-19 test upon arrival and undergo compulsory 48-hour quarantine.
Bermuda
Photo by Sandra Seitamaa
Bermuda is a safe and beautiful place in the Carribean looking to invite remote workers with their Work From Bermuda certificate, allowing professionals and students to work and study remotely from the island. You can apply for a digital nomad visa to become a long-term visitor in Bermuda, even if you come to stay with your family. Unlike other countries that require a proof of the minimum salary, the situation is different in Bermuda. Applicants may apply for visa, receive an answer in 5 business days, and come to enjoy the beautiful nature, hospitality, and amazing culture.
While staying in Bermuda, Keepgo customers can use the wireless communication services from Digicel.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- be at least 18 years old;
- have a continuous source of income;
- be eligible to pay the application fee of US$263;
- not have been convicted of a crime;
- have valid health insurance coverage;
- demonstrate employment proof.
Costa Rica
Photo by Berti Benbanaste
Costa Rica is a much preferred destination for digital nomads looking for a place with with relaxed lifestyle, where they can come to work and enjoy picturesque landscapes, volcanos, and waterfalls. The rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific offers digital nomad visas entitled Rentista, which welcomes remote workers to come and stay for up to 2 years, with the possibility to extend it for a longer period. The only point is the visa only allows self-employed people or entrepreneurs to apply for visa.
In Costa Rica, Keepgo clients can take advantage of using Movistar wireless connectivity services.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- Show income of $2,500 per month for two years or make a $60,000 deposit in a Costa Rican bank
Croatia
Photo by Dominik Lange
Croatia welcomes tech-savvy digital nomads to come and work surrounded by its beautiful places, sandy beaches, and historical museums. While you apply for a permission to live and work in Croatia, there is one thing you should know about. The digital nomad visa is not a visa. It’s a residence permit.
In the digital nomad policy, it’s specified that “visa” refers to a short-term stay for tourists. Depending on the functionality, a tourist can stay for up to 90 days in the country. If a person decides to stay in Croatia beyond the term of the travel visa, you must apply for a residence permit. If you are a digital nomad looking forward to getting temporary residency in Croatia, then you should apply for a residence permit, not a visa.
In Croatia, Keepgo customers are covered on the top 3 networks - T-Mobile Croatia, Tele2, and VIP-Net.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- work in ‘communication technology’ outside the European Union as a remote worker;
- have a proof of health insurance;
- prove that you have enough money for your stay.
Dubai
Photo by ZQ Lee
Dubai is a connected city with a strong digital infrastructure. It offers a one-year virtual working program that allows digital nomads and remote workers to live and work there. Dubai’s digital nomad visa welcomes people from all over the world to come and bring their family and work in the city while staying employed in your home country.
Dubai does not levy income tax on individuals and you also get access to all required services in the country, including telecoms, utilities, and schooling options. Dubai’s one-year digital nomad visa gives remote workers from any nationality the freedom to stay in Dubai in a similar manner to residents, with access to day to day services, and the option to send your kids to Dubai’s schools.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- provide a proof of employment from the current employer with a one-year contract, or proof of ownership of the company;
- have the minimum salary of $5,000 USD/mo;
- health insurance coverage in UAE;
- have a passport with a minimum of six months validity.
Estonia
Photo by Ilya Orehov
Estonia offers digital nomad visas for remote workers, which lets you come to the country to live and work legally. Location-independent workers can apply for the chance to come to Estonia to live for up to a year with peace of mind that they can legally work. The country also has an e-Residency program, which allows people to come to create and run a EU based business online from anywhere in the world.
While staying in Estonia, Keepgo customers can use TELE2 wireless communication services.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- earn at least $4130 per month for the last 6-months;
- have an active employment contract with a company registered outside of Estonia;
- be able to perform their work duties using telecommunications technology.
Georgia
Photo by Iman Gozal
Georgia is known for its low-cost of living, stunning landscapes, and colorful cities. It welcomes remote workers from 95 countries to live and work in the country for one year. They have launched special digital nomad visas entitled Remotely from Georgia. The program welcomes remote workers, freelancers, and business owners to come to Georgia for at least 180 days and up to 1 year.
While staying in Georgia, Keepgo customers can use the wireless communication services from BeeLine and Magticom Georgia.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- own a location independent business (and/or) work remotely for a company based outside of Georgia;
- prove your financial ability to pay taxes in Georgia;
- earn a minimum of $2000/month;
- have travel insurance valid for six months;
- have health insurance for the period of time you are going to spend in Georgia.
Germany
Photo by Roman Kraft
Freelancers and business owners may apply for a freiberufler’ visa in Germany, which is valid for 3 months. There is also the Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbständige Tätigkeit residence permit, which allows freelancers and self-employed people to live in Germany for 6-months and up to 3-years term.
Keepgo customers stay connected on O2, Deutsche Telekom, and Vodafone DE wireless connectivity providers in Germany.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- prove the financing of your project;
- have a license to practice the profession that you plan to practice on a freelance basis;
- have the proof of health and travel insurance with coverage in Germany;
- provide evidence of sufficient retirement provision if you are 45 or older;
- provide a proof of financial self-sustainability.
Iceland
Photo by Tijs van Leur
Everyone who doesn’t need a travel visa to come and stay in Iceland can apply for the Work in Iceland program. It allows you to live and work in the country for up to six months, one of the shortest digital nomad visas available. However, if you apply while you’re already in the European Schengen Area, then it’s only good for 90-days.
While arriving in Iceland for travel or work, Keepgo customers can use the wireless communication services from Siminn.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- own a location independent business (and/or) work remotely for a company based outside of Iceland;
- have a minimum monthly income of 1,000,000 ISK (about $7,763 USD) or 1,300,000 ISK for a couple;
- provide a proof of travel/health insurance coverage for Iceland;
- have not been issued a long-term visa in the last 12 months by Icelandic authorities.
Indonesia
Photo by jarrad horne
If you decide to spend less than 30 days in Indonesia, you can stay there visa-free. If you wish to live in Indonesia for about 2 months, you will need to order the 30-day Tourist Visa upon arrival. If you wish to stay for longer than 60 days, you can apply for a Social Cultural Visa (B-211 Visa Budaya). You can extend the visa for up to 4 times, which means you can stay in Indonesia for 180 days in total.
In Indonesia, Keepgo customers can take advantage of Telkomsel connectivity, the largest mobile internet provider in the country.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- have a passport valid for at least 6 months;
- have a sponsor letter from an Indonesian citizen or organisation;
- apply at an embassy or consulate outside of Indonesia before coming to Indonesia;
- have a bank statement showing enough funds to travel to Indonesia;
- activate your visa within 90 days with your arrival in Indonesia.
Mauritius
Photo by Xavier Coiffic
If you want to live and work by the beach, Mauritius can be your best choice. The Mauritius government offers the 1-year long Premium Visa, which lets you enjoy this idyllic working environment while you work remotely with Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Premium Visa is issued only to those people who are going to stay in Mauritius for a period exceeding 180 days in a calendar year. For the others, a tourist visa is sufficient. If you arrive on a tourist visa and at a certain moment decide that you like to stay in this picturesque place for longer, you can apply for the Premium Visa while you are in the country.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- not enter the Mauritius labour market;
- have sufficient travel and health insurance;
- the main place of business and source of income and profits should be outside of Mauritius;
- provide documentary evidence to support visa application such as purpose of visit, accommodation.
Mexico
Photo by Jezael Melgoza
Keepgo customers using the Lifetime plan stay connected on AT&T and Movistar wireless connectivity providers in Mexico.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- own a location independent business (and/or) work remotely for a company based outside of Mexico
- earn at least $1,620 USD per month or have a bank balance of $27,000.
Norway
Photo by Simon Williams
Norway is one of the leading countries that digital nomads choose for remote work. If you are working location-independently and have sufficient means of subsistence, health insurance, and adequate means of accommodation you can apply for a freelancer visa in the famous Svalbard area.
Svalbard is an archipelago between the mainland of Norway and the North Pole. This is one of the most expensive places globally, so you will need to have enough money to support your stay. This visa is not limited to just Svalbard, and those with this visa can live in Norway for up to two years.
When arriving to the Svalbard area, Keepgo customers stay connected on Telenor, Telia, and Network Norway wireless connectivity providers.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- own a location independent business (and/or) work remotely for a company based outside of Norway;
- have relevant qualifications to work in your profession;
- show proof of accommodation in Norway;
- show an income of at least $43142 per year before tax;
- pay the visa fee of 600 euros.
Portugal
Photo by Clifford
Remote workers planning to stay and live in Portugal can choose from 3 digital nomad visas:
- Portugal Passive Income Visa - applicants should have a passive income of around €20,000/year from an investment property;
- Portugal Self-Employment Visa - applicants should prove they are working or trying to work with local Portuguese companies;
- Portugal Entrepreneur Visa - one of the most commonly preferred visa types. It is best suited for entrepreneurs who want to live and create a company in Portugal as a freelancer or digital nomad.
All of these visas are valid for 1 year and can be renewed for up to 5 years. Afterward, you can apply for permanent residency.
Keepgo customers coming to Portugal for travel or remote work will take advantage of staying connected on NOS,
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- have a proof of income from property, proof of business ownership, or proof of financial means;
- earn at least $750 per month;
- provide a proof of private travel/health insurance;
- agree to a criminal background check.
Spain
Photo by Johan Mouchet
Spain offers the Non-Lucrative Visa, which lets you stay in the country for at least one year. The country is a luring destination point for vacationers and remote workers who wish to stay in a beautiful country and enjoy bustling beaches, sangrias and siestas, and the low-cost of living. With the visa, those people who would like to retire in the country and non-EU citizens that would like to work remotely from Spain are allowed to stay in Spain for 1 year, with the possibility to expand the stay with the renewal process.
Keepgo customers coming to Spain for travel or remote work will take advantage of staying connected on Vodafone Espana S.A., Orange, X Fera, and Movistar.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- not engage in any economic activity in Spain;
- work remotely with or for clients in other countries;
- Show a proof of earning at least $2500 per month or hold $32043 in savings;
- allow a police/FBI background check
- get a Medical Certificate of good health before traveling;
- have a private Spanish health insurance.
Thailand
Photo by Frankie Spontelli
There are 2 types of visas suitable for digital nomads: a 3-months tourist visa that allows travelers to stay in the country for 3 months, and a 6-months visa. The latter is more expensive but it allows unlimited entries over a six-months period, with each stay no longer than 60 days. Technologically, these are two long-stay tourist visas that don’t allow you to work from the country legally, but may digital nomads apply for them as an affordable way to live and work remotely in Thailand.
Keepgo customers coming to Thailand for travel or remote work will take advantage of staying connected on AIS, TrueMove and DTAC.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- have a minimum $6,000 in your bank account.
Vietnam
Photo by Jakob Owens
Vietnam provides 1-month or 3-months entry visas. There is also a 1 year tourist visa available, but it can be used only by the US passport holders. These are tourist visas that freelancers and digital nomads can also take advantage of. Visas can be renewed for one time after arrival in Vietnam.
For as long as you run a location-independent business outside of Vietnam, you are allowed to work legally while staying in the country.
While staying in Vietnam for travel or remote work, Keepgo clients can use wireless connectivity services of Viettel and VinaPhone.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, you must:
- have a passport that should be valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date (Temporary passports may not be accepted)
- since this is a typical tourist visa, there are no specific eligibility conditions.
Until now, digital nomads had to hunt for tourist visas when they wanted to work remotely for a country outside its frontiers. Now, the situation is changing. Though the world hasn’t got over the coronavirus pandemic yet, some countries are already offering a legal landmark for remote work. Have you already decided from what destination you want to work during the next months or a year? If there are other countries that already welcome digital nomads in 2021, feel free to let us know about them by dropping a comment below.
Top illustration by Storyset
