DIGITAL NOMAD
A person living a nomadic lifestyle and using technology to work remotely from outside their country is known as a Digital Nomad. A digital nomad visa is a document or program that gives someone the legal right to work remotely while residing away from their country of permanent residence.
Working as a digital nomad on tourist visa is completely illegal. So, to offer foreigners with a legal base for working while traveling, many countries issue digital nomad visas. These visas are usually short-term and mostly do not offer a way to citizenship but is good opportunity for nomads and freelancers who want to travel and work remotely.
WHAT IS A DIGITAL NOMAD VISA?
Digital nomad visas, also known as freelancer or remote visa, are authorizations allowing individuals to legally live and work in a foreign country without having to immigrate or apply for residency. While these visa holders can work remotely while living in the host country, they cannot apply for local labor jobs during their stay.
Each country that issues digital nomad visas has its own rules and regulations for the permit. However, generally, the applicant needs a valid passport that meets requirements, proof of regular income from abroad, and a job they can do remotely. Furthermore, applicants may need to prove that they can support themselves financially during their stay by providing financial documents like bank statements and receipts.
HOW DOES A DIGITAL NOMAD VISA BENEFIT YOU AS A DIGITAL NOMAD OR FREELANCE REMOTE WORKER?
Here are some benefits of getting a digital nomad visa:
FLEXIBILITY AND FREEDOM
A digital nomad visa allows you to legally work from another country. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore different cultures and benefit from countries that charge zero or little tax. Being location-independent is never easier for aspiring people who love lives on the go.
LOWER COST OF LIVING
With a digital nomad visa, you can live in a country with a low cost of living and work for a firm based abroad that pays comparatively better salaries. By doing this, you can earn higher wages while spending less. For example, you can become a digital nomad in South Asia but be an employee of a European company.
THRILLING LIFESTYLE:
Most digital nomads say that the experience of living in a foreign country and discovering its culture is unparalleled. If you love to explore new places, a digital nomad visa enables you to seek adventures in different cities, learn from other cultures, and meet people from across the globe while earning a living. You’re also bound to meet like-minded digital nomads and locals and form friendships that last a lifetime.
1. ESTONIA
There are two types of Estonian Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). If you plan to stay in Estonia for less than 90 days, you can apply for the Type C DNV. On the other hand, if your stay exceeds 90 days, you are eligible for the Type D DNV.
PROS OF ESTONIAN DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- Big cities like Tallinn and Tartu have co-working spaces that are readily available and fully equipped.
- The banks offer excellent customer-friendly services, allowing digital nomads to access their services anywhere.
- For nature-loving digital nomads looking for a view, Estonia is the perfect place. It has over 2200 islands hosting pristine terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- The Estonian Government, the administration, and the local bodies work tirelessly to provide digital professionals with all necessary and modern facilities.
- Estonia has a massive community of remote workers, making networking and meeting new people easy. In fact, ‘E-Residents of Estonia’’ is a popular group on Facebook, with 22,000 active members.
- Estonia isn’t as crowded as the other European countries, making it quieter and more economical for remote workers.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR ESTONIA’S DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- You have a contract with a foreign employer
- You have a contract with clients based in another country and for whom you provide freelance or consultancy services.
- You can prove that your income met the minimum threshold during the six months preceding the application. Currently, the monthly income threshold is €3504 (gross of tax). You will need documents proving this, detailing its amount, regularity, and source.
- You are a partner or stakeholder in a foreign corporation
- Able to work independently of location and perform tasks remotely using telecommunications technology.
Duration: The DNV allows foreign nationals to stay in Estonia for one year.
2. NORWAY
Norway has an exclusive visa for digital nomads who wish to move to the Svalbard islands. Svalbard is home to the world’s Northern most university, church, and brewery and is bounded by raw wilderness and native animals.
PROS OF NORWAY’S DIGITAL NOMAD VISA ARE:
- There is fast internet service throughout the country and many remote work-friendly coworking spaces and cafes.
- For those who love nature and adventures, Norway is a best choice for them. You can find the world’s best skiing opportunities, exotic animal sightings, and breathtaking sceneries in a peaceful environment.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR A NORWAY DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- Proof of Self-Employment; you must prove that your business is established outside Norway.
- You must meet the annual income requirement of approximately $38,242.
- You must have at least one Norwegian client agreeing to pay the minimum wage.
Duration: Digital nomads can live in Norway for up to two years with the country’s independent contractor visa.
3. PORTUGAL
Portugal not only offers a temporary resident visa but also a residence permit for digital nomads and entrepreneurs. These types of visas have the possibility to be extended from 1 to 5 years. And for one year with the ability to renew for up to 5 years. The best part about this visa is that after five years you can apply for permanent residency.
rn most university, church, and brewery and is bounded by raw wilderness and native animals.
PROS OF PORTUGAL DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- Portugal has excellent weather, with 300 days of sunshine in a year and mild winters.
- The cost of living in Portugal is relatively affordable
- Portugal allows easy access to other countries in the EU, with frequent flights to major cities.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR PORTUGAL DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- The passive income requirement of euroes 3,280 per month.
- A clean criminal record.
- Proof of sufficient savings of a minimum of $9840 per year.
- Proof of accommodation.
Duration: The Portugal digital nomad visa allows you to live in the country for two years on a D8 visa. It is renewable and enables you to stay for another three years. After five years of living in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship by passing a basic Portuguese language test.
4. MALTA
Malta offers remote working individuals a Malta Nomad Residence Permit. It allows digital nomads to stay in Malta while working for employers in their home country.
PROS OF MALTA DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- Malta has some great coworking spaces which offer coffee and high-speed WiFi. Some of the popular workspaces in Malta include the Hub Workspace, 230works, and SOHO office space.
- Malta is an ideal location for digital nomads since there’s something for everyone. You can experience great weather, several outdoor leisure activities, and accessible and affordable transportation.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR MALTA DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- You should be a national of a non-EU country.
- You must be working for a company registered abroad.
- You need to show a monthly income of a minimum of $2,890 (gross of tax) or more.
- You must offer freelance or consulting services to entities registered in a foreign country outside Malta. Please note that you need to show official contracts as proof.
- You have a verified and valid travel document.
- You have a health insurance policy covering any health issues while living in Malta.
- You need your proof of accommodation.
- You need to undergo a background verification check.
Duration: The Nomad Residence Permit can be issued for one year and renewed if the applicant still meets the eligibility criteria.
5. CZECH REPUBLIC
The digital nomad visa, also known as Zivno, is a long-term business visa for freelancers. It allows digital nomads to live in the Czech Republic for six months to a year and enjoy all that the beautiful country offers.
PROS OF CZECHIA DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- The Czech Republic consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the EU, with less crime.
- The Czech Republic has a large ex-pat community of around 500,000 foreigners, making it easy to make friends and find social activities that fit your interests.
- Living in the Czech Republic is extremely cheap, with digital nomads’ expenses amounting to roughly $2,000 per month.
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR CZECH REPUBLIC DIGITAL NOMAD VISA:
- A valid passport with two blank pages.
- Proof of funds showing a minimum balance of $5,700. Examples of this proof include your bank statement or a notarized copy of your credit or debit card valid for the length of your stay. The credit or debit card must be in your name.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- Government-issued background check from your home country stating you’ve not been convicted of criminal offenses in your home country or from the country where you’ve stayed for more than six months in the last three years.
- Travel medical insurance once the visa is approved.
- Proof of purpose or a letter establishing your status as a digital nomad. The document should state that you are a remote worker for a foreign employer or your own company registered outside Czech Republic.
- All documents you provide (except your travel document) should be in Czech or translated to Czech by a professional translator and officially verified.
Duration: This is for foreigners planning to stay in the country for more than three months and less than one year. You can also extend the visa for two more years.
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