Digital Nomad Visas: What They Are and Which Countries Offer Them

David A. Farcy / August 2, 2024 /

A digital nomad visa makes it easier for digital nomads to work remotely while traveling the world. With a digital nomad visa, you can run your online business or work from your laptop while staying in another country for an extended period.

After obtaining a visa for your destination country, you should prepare a thorough medical evacuation plan in the event you experience an emergency while traveling. Preparing for your trip helps you travel with peace of mind so you can work and enjoy your destination country to the fullest.

What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa is an authorization that allows remote workers to enter and stay in a country for a while. Working remotely while you travel with a tourist visa is illegal in many countries, but a digital nomad visa enables you to complete your remote work legally. In most cases, you must work for a company outside your destination country to qualify for a work visa. The following jobs are the most popular types of digital nomad careers for travel enthusiasts:

  • Content creation
  • Social media marketing
  • Digital entrepreneurship
  • Website development
  • Graphic design
  • Copywriting
  • Content writing
  • Data entry
  • Professional photography
  • Freelance writing and editing

Whether you operate an online business or work for a company from your laptop, a digital nomad visa gives you the freedom to temporarily live in another country. It doesn’t lead to citizenship or permanent residence, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the world without putting your career on hold.

Advantages of Digital Nomad Visas

A digital nomad visa offers numerous benefits, such as:

  • The ability to work and travel without dealing with immigration formalities.
  • The opportunity to stay in a country for a short or long period, depending on your digital nomad visa’s duration.
  • Lower costs than work visas in most countries.

Digital Nomad Visa Countries

The list of countries that offer digital nomad visas jumped significantly between 2021 and 2024. While the list may continue to grow, you can apply for a digital nomad visa in the following locations.

European Digital Nomad Countries

Europe is a fantastic place to experience the digital nomad lifestyle. If you’re interested in working remotely in Europe, consider applying for a digital nomad visa for one of the following countries:

  • Italy
  • Croatia
  • Albania
  • Georgia
  • Estonia
  • Czechia
  • Greece
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Norway
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Malta
  • Hungary
  • Cyprus
  • Latvia
  • Armenia
  • Montenegro
  • Andorra

Caribbean Digital Nomad Visa Countries

If tropical white sand beaches are your ideal remote work environment, consider applying for a digital nomad visa in one of these Caribbean countries:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Bermuda
  • Barbados
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Anguilla
  • Montserrat
  • The Bahamas
  • Saint Lucia
  • Curaçao

North and Central American Digital Nomad Visa Countries

You can also apply for a digital nomad visa in one of these North and Central American countries:

  • Mexico
  • Belize
  • Costa Rica
  • El Salvador
  • Panama

South American Digital Nomad Visa Countries

These South American countries offer digital nomad visas:

  • Ecuador
  • Colombia
  • Brazil
  • Uruguay
  • Argentina

Middle Eastern and Asian Digital Nomad Countries

The following countries in Asia and the Middle East offer digital nomad visas:

  • Abu Dhabi
  • Dubai
  • Sri Lanka
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Taiwan
  • Japan
  • Bali, Indonesia
  • South Korea
  • The Philippines

African Digital Nomad Visa Countries

You can also apply for a digital nomad visa in the following African countries:

  • Cape Verde
  • Mauritius
  • Namibia
  • Seychelles
  • South Africa

Countries Where Digital Nomad Visas Will Soon Be Available

If your dream remote work destination is not listed above, the country may still be considering or working on a digital nomad visa. You may see a digital nomad visa available in the following countries soon:

  • North Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Goa, India

How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa

To start your remote work travels, you must make an appointment with your destination’s consulate or embassy and prepare the following documents:

  • Digital nomad application
  • Health and travel insurance
  • Identification photos with a white background, no editing and a neutral expression
  • A passport with at least six months of validity at the time of application
  • Proof of a clean criminal background
  • Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel or hostel confirmation or a rental contract
  • Civil documents, such as your birth certificate and resume
  • Proof of remote work, such as a business license or work contract
  • Proof of income

You must also ensure your civil documents feature an apostille to prove they are certified. You may also need to translate your civil documents if your destination country requires it.

Travel Considerations

International travel is easier and more enjoyable when you’re prepared. In addition to your digital nomad visa, you should consider these important details.

Visa Duration

Each country has its own limitations for how long an individual can stay under a digital nomad visa. Check your destination country’s visa specifications and make travel arrangements to return home before your visa expires.

Budgeting

Budgeting is important when you stay in a location for an extended time. Before starting your digital nomad adventure, make sure your income and budget can cover lodging, food, transportation and activities. Depending on the type of accommodation you choose and how long you plan to stay in a country, you may also want to budget for items such as clothing and cleaning supplies.

Medical Evacuation Plan

Creating a medical evacuation plan is essential when traveling abroad. Emergencies such as serious illness or injury can occur at any time, and being prepared can help you remain calm and find the help you need. Consider the following tips for developing an effective medical evacuation plan:

  • Locate the nearest high-quality hospital: You should know the best medical facilities in your destination so that you can reach them easily if you need medical care.
  • Add medical evacuation benefits to your travel insurance: Travel insurance policies differ, and choosing a policy with medical evacuation benefits is crucial. If you become injured in a remote location, need to reach a higher-quality hospital or need to travel home after a medical emergency, medical evacuation benefits help cover your transportation and in-flight care.
  • Know what to do if you need medical evacuation: While we never expect to have a medical emergency while traveling, illness and injuries are possible. Keep a medical evacuation company’s contact information with you at all times in the event you need emergency air transportation. You can call REVA internationally at 1-954-730-9300 to receive a quote or request emergency evacuation.

Prepare for Safe Medical Evacuation With REVA

Digital nomad visas make it easier to legally work remotely while traveling. After applying for your digital nomad visa, you should start to prepare for your trip with a detailed medical evacuation plan. Make sure your travel insurance includes medical evacuation coverage, and keep medevac contact information with you at all times.

REVA offers compassionate and reliable medical evacuation services in the event you become ill or injured while traveling. Our flight and medical teams provide safe, efficient care and transportation if you need to reach the nearest hospital, travel to a higher-quality medical facility or return to your home country. Wherever you are, whenever you need us, REVA will be there for you. Contact us to request a quote or arrange for medical evacuation services.