How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa as a Remote Worker
As remote work and freelancing continue to gain popularity, many countries are now offering digital nomad visas.
Our guide explains everything you need to know about digital nomad visas, including how to apply for one.
What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?
Digital nomads are people who travel as they work. Digital nomad visas are a type of temporary residence permit designed to make it easier to work remotely in other countries. They may have different names in different countries, but they all aim to achieve the same thing.
Digital nomad visas differ from tourist visas in two main ways:
- They allow travelers to work in the country they are visiting.
- They last longer than some other visas, with the average digital nomad visa spanning 12 months. However, they can last up to five years, depending on the country.
Unlike more traditional types of work visas, digital nomad visas do not allow the applicant to work toward citizenship.
However, as they also don’t require the visa holder to have a fixed address or an employer based in their country of choice, these visas can provide the flexibility many digital nomads are looking for.
How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa
Currently, 42 countries offer digital nomad visas, including Australia, Mexico, and the Bahamas, with many more planning to follow the trend.
The application rules vary by country, but they tend to include the following requirements:
- A minimum income
- Proof of employment or that you own your own business
- Evidence that your work is remote (i.e., it can be done from anywhere in the world)
- A valid passport
- Up-to-date health and travel insurance
Below are some examples of what applying for a digital nomad visa can involve. If you’re interested in a particular country that isn’t listed here, visit that country’s government website or check the Visa Guide for application information.
Mauritius
Mauritius offers a premium travel visa that allows you to earn money as a digital nomad during your stay.
In order to qualify for this visa, you need to prove that:
- Your employer or source of income is based outside the country
- You have acquired long-stay accommodation
- You have purchased a return flight ticket
After that, you can apply through the online application system. This is one of the few digital nomad visas that doesn’t include a processing fee.
Mexico
The Mexico Temporary Resident Visa will allow you to work in Mexico as a digital nomad for a year. You can extend your visa up to three times, but you can’t stay for more than four years.
To apply, you must either have had a bank balance above $43,000 for the previous 12 months or prove that you earn a minimum of $2,595 a month.
The application process itself then involves:
- Completing an application online
- Attending a visa appointment with the Mexican embassy in your home country, at a cost of $40
- Paying a fee of $150–$350
- Traveling to Mexico within six months of your appointment and obtaining your temporary residence permit from the National Migration Institute
The Bahamas
The Bahamas BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay) program allows digital nomads to live and work on the islands for up to a year, with the option to extend their stay for three years.
To apply, you need to:
- Prove that you are employed remotely or own a business
- Show a valid passport and health insurance
- Fill out an online application, which costs $25
- Wait five days to be approved and then pay the $1,000 fee
- Receive a QR code to show on your arrival
The BEATS program has no income requirement and is one of the easiest digital nomad visa schemes to apply for.
What Kind of Work Can You Do as a Digital Nomad?
Digital nomads can do just about any sort of work that involves a computer. This includes:
- Customer support
- Photography
- Graphic design
- Website development
- Tutoring
- Marketing
- Copywriting
- Proofreading and editing
Proofreading and editing in particular are some of the best jobs you can do as a digital nomad.
If the digital nomad lifestyle appeals to you, our courses can train you to become a proofreader or editor and work from anywhere.
Sign up for a free trial today, and if you’re hooked, you can save 15% by buying both courses as a bundle.
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