TravelAge West
Intel and Insights for Today's Travel Advisor

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
AnnaMarie HoulisContributing Writer

Share

  1. Home
  2. Industry Insight
  3. Business Features

7 Top Countries That Offer Digital Nomad Travel Visas

Jun 06, 2022
Coronavirus  Costa Rica  Eastern Europe  Government & Politics  Mexico  South America  Western Europe  
7 Top Countries That Offer Digital Nomad Travel Visas
Countries are increasingly trying to attract remote workers with visa options that allow them to spend from one to four years in a destination.
Credit: 2022 simona/stock.adobe.com

What are Digital Nomad Visas and Which Countries Offer Them?

By 2025, surveys suggest that some 35.7 million Americans will be working remotely. 

 In fact, digital nomads have been on the rise for years as technology has revolutionized the workforce — but the closing of company doors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed even more people out of offices and into alternative lifestyles. 

And fueling this movement are countries around the world, which are welcoming digital nomads with novel visas for remote professionals.

In particular, the following seven destinations cater to professionals on the go.

1. Digital Nomad Visa: Brazil

Brazil’s National Immigration Council of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security recently regulated the granting of both temporary visas and residence permits for immigrants who work for foreign employers. They may stay for one year — and renew the visa for a second  year — so long as they have proof of work and enough means to sustain life in Brazil.

This is an important step for Brazil in the promotion of one of the most modern labor models.

“The remuneration of digital nomads stems from a source overseas, and the funds brought over by these immigrants warm up the Brazilian economy,” said  Jose Vicente Santini, national justice secretary, in a statement. “This is an important step for Brazil in the promotion of one of the most modern labor models.”

2. Digital Nomad Visa: Croatia

From the sandy stretches of Split to the 13th-century cobblestoned corners of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic nation of Croatia beckons business owners and entrepreneurs alike. And it’s among the most recent countries to introduce a digital nomad visa.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Croatia defines a digital nomad as “a third-country national who is employed or performs work through communication technology” for his or her own business or for another company outside of the Republic of Croatia.

RELATED: 3 Must-See National Parks in Croatia

However, there are some stipulations. For example, nomads must provide proof of purpose, health insurance accepted in Croatia, a clean criminal record, and subsistence, as well as an address in Croatia. The maximum amount of time remote workers can stay on the visa is 12 months.

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

While the visa cannot be extended, those who haven’t had enough of the craggy cliffside sunsets or the paradisiacal seashores can submit another application six months following its expiry.

3. Digital Nomad Visa: Mexico

Whether it be the dusty surf towns of Puerto Escondido and Sayulita, the dive destinations of Playa Del Carmen and Isla Mujeres, or the food stall-thronged streets of Mexico City and Oaxaca, Mexico is a hub for laptop-toting professionals. This is especially true for Americans, thanks to the close proximity to the U.S., the convenient time zones and appealing exchange rate.

RELATED: What Mexico Travel Will Look Like in 2022

Already, visitors can stay in Mexico on a six-month tourist visa. However, Mexico also offers nomads a temporary resident visa that’s good for a year and the ability to renew for an additional three. All that’s necessary is proof of a location-independent business or work outside of Mexico, as well as sufficient funds.

4. Digital Nomad Visa: Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s canopied jungles became a magnet for those on the move amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as it remained open to Americans, many of whom flocked to the surf sanctuaries of Santa Teresa and Nosara. The country already had a freelancer visa, called the Rentista, which allows foreigners to stay for up to two full years (with the opportunity to extend), but it was limited. In August 2021, Costa Rica introduced a special one-year digital nomad visa that can be extended for a second year.

Digital nomad visa holders are exempt from local income taxes, and they receive a whole gamut of benefits. For example, they can open bank accounts in the country, drive with their home-country license and more.

RELATED: How Ecuador Plans to Attract More U.S. Tourists, Including a New Nomad Visa

5. Digital Nomad Visa: Portugal

Portugal is often touted as expat central. The capital of Lisbon, for example, is teeming with travelers from all over the world — many of whom come to stay and work for the long haul, thanks to the copious laptop-friendly cafes, coworking offices, professional meetup groups and international networking events. All of that — and the pasteis de nata, of course.

RELATED: A Portugal Guide for Every Type of Traveler

Portugal offers visitors two types of visas that benefit digital nomads. These include the temporary stay visa for under a year and the residence permit for over a year, both of which permit independent and entrepreneurial work purposes.

6. Digital Nomad Visa: Mauritius

Mauritius offers a one-year premium visa for digital nomads who can prove that they have sufficient travel funds and health insurance for a long-term stay. Nomads must also have their own location-independent business or work remotely for a company that is not located within the country. 

The one-year visa is available to all non-citizens who intend to stay in Mauritius as tourists, retirees or professionals carrying out business or working remotely. As with the others, visitors’ sources of income and profits should come from outside Mauritius.

7. Digital Nomad Visa: Estonia

Estonia was the very first country to create an e-residency program for foreign entrepreneurs with online businesses. Flash forward to August 2020, and the Eastern European country also introduced a one-year digital nomad and freelancer visa for foreigners who wish to establish a Balkan base while working remotely for their own businesses or out-of-country companies.

Applications are available for either a Type C (short stay) or Type D (long stay) digital nomad visa in person at the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate. To be considered for either, visitors must provide evidence of foreign-earned income that meets the minimum threshold (about $4,000) in the six months preceding the application.

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

How Digital Nomads Are Changing the Travel Industry

How Digital Nomads Are Changing the Travel Industry

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. 3 Bangkok Day Trips You Don’t Want to Miss
  2. These Are the Top Summer Travel Trends for 2024
  3. Everything We Know About Universal Epic Universe, Universal's Newest Theme Park
  4. What Is the New Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Here’s How it Will Affect Disney Vacations
  5. Review: Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze

From Our Partners

More Stories Like This

Travel Industry Trillion_HERO

By 2027, Travel and Tourism Will Be a Trillion-Dollar Industry

MyrtleBeach

These Are the Top Summer Travel Trends for 2024

MMGY Survey Reveals Interest in Cannabis Travel, Road Trips, International Travel and More

MMGY Survey Reveals Interest in Cannabis Travel, Road Trips, International Travel and More

Abercrombie & Kent Unveils New Luxury Small Group Journeys for 2025

Abercrombie & Kent Unveils New Luxury Small Group Journeys for 2025

NTK 53 - Summer Bookings Web

Advisors See No Slowdown in Europe Travel This Summer

International Event Travel Is Surging, Despite Rising Costs

International Event Travel Is Surging, Despite Rising Costs

Ensemble Unveils New Luxury Certification Program

Ensemble Unveils New Luxury Certification Program

DIhbcuscholarship

Destinations International Awards $72,000 in HBCU Hospitality Scholarships

Applications Are Open for The Travel Institute's Annual Scholarship Campaign

Applications Are Open for The Travel Institute's Annual Scholarship Campaign

AXUS Announces Project Expedition Integration for Travel Planning

AXUS Announces Project Expedition Integration for Travel Planning

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here