|
|
As the end of the year approaches, EY Global Limited has launched its EY 2024 Mobility Reimagined Survey, which reviews the visas available to digital nomads and remote workers. As part of this piece of work, EY has published an interactive map, which highlights the countries currently offering visas and allows you to click for more information.
Link map to: https://www.ey.com/en_ph/insights/workforce/a-global-immigration-index-for-digital-nomads-and-remote-workers
The full report provides a timeline for the introduction of visas starting with the early adopters in 2020 such as Estonia and Cabo Verde, to the countries that introduced visas in 2023 and 2024, including Italy, South Africa, and Turkey.
We have talked about some of these newer visas before, but the insights report provides the most up-to-date information on visa availability. So, this article provides a brief overview of the most recent information for digital nomad visas released in 2023/2024. All these visas are targeted at remote workers who intend to travel to a host country while continuing to work remotely for a company in their home country. None of the visas below allow holders to work in the host country.
Albania
Albania joined many other European countries in offering a digital nomad visa in 2023. The visa is offered for one year in the first instance, extendable for up to five years, and has a highly accessible minimum income of just under US$10,000 per year. Applications can be made online.
Andorra
Andorra also released a digital nomad visa in 2023, allowing visitors to pass up to one year in the tiny have on the border of France and Spain. Bear in mind that you cannot fly directly into Andorra and must pass through a neighboring country to reach its borders. The minimum monthly salary requirement is EUR3,858.39 per year, which is 300% of the local minimum salary. Applications should be made at the closest consulate or embassy.
Canada
Canada also launched a digital nomad visa in 2023, allowing digital nomads to come to the country for up to six months. But in contrast to other DNV programs, visa holders are eligible to look for work while in Canada and then transfer to a work visa, since the purpose of the visa is principally to attract tech talent. There is no specified minimum income, but you must be able to prove you have the funds to support yourself.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic also joined the digital nomad visa game in 2023, though it is specifically aimed at attracting tech talent so you must be able to prove you have a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math plus at least three years of work experience in a company with at least 50 employees. It is also only open to nationals from a limited number of countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The minimum income to qualify is set at EUR2,507 per month. The visa is granted for one year in the first instance, but you can then apply for a two-year temporary residence permit.
Indonesia
While Indonesia already had a special visa that allowed some digital nomads to stay in Bali for up to five years, in 2024 they launched a nationwide digital nomad visa, granted for two years, non-renewable. Applicants should prove that they are employed remotely outside of Indonesia and earn at least US$60,000 per year. They should also have at least US$2,000 in their bank account. Applications are made through a simple online portal, and when you arrive in the country you must apply for a temporary residence card.
Italy
Italy finally launched its much anticipated digital nomad visa in 2024. The visa is granted for one year with no cap on renewals, which means it can be a pathway to citizenship after five years. The minimum required income is set at three times the Italian minimum wage, which is currently an accessible EUR25,000 per year or EUR2,100 per month for digital nomads.
Japan
Japan also launched its digital nomad visa in 2024, but it has proven to be one of the most restrictive in the world. Not only does it have a high-income threshold of at least US$66,000 per year, but the visa is only granted for six months. It also does not come with a residence permit, which blocks visa holders from doing things such as renting long-term accommodation on the local market. Nevertheless, Japan’s fascinating culture and beautiful countryside mean that these restrictions have not dissuaded visitors.
Montenegro
The Montenegro digital nomad visa went live in 2023. It is valid for two years in the first instance and can be renewed for another two years. The minimum income to qualify for the visa is set at EUR1,600 per month, which is three times the average minimum wage.
South Korea
In 2024, South Korea also launched a digital nomad visa following the model of Japan, called a “workcation” visa. It is a longer year, granting one year in the first instance, and renewable for another year, but has a similar minimum income of USD64,000 per year. The visa is also targeted at experienced workers with recognized qualifications and at least one year of work experience in their selected industry.
South Africa
The much-anticipated South Africa digital nomad visa also became available near the end of 2024. It allows digital nomads to live and work in the country for up to three years, though they must register to pay local taxes if they stay for more than six months. The minimum income is set at around US$36,000 per year.
Thailand
Thailand launched a five-year Digital Thailand Visa in 2024, providing a more accessible visa than the previous Long-Term Residence Visa. It is open to foreign-employed workers at least 20 years old who can show evidence of at least US$14,197 in their ban account for at least three months. You cannot apply while in Thailand and must provide a professional portfolio to legitimize your professional status.
Turkey
Turkey also released a new digital nomad visa in 2024 for nationals from the EU or Schengen area, the United Kingdom, the United Stats, Canada, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Belarus. To qualify you must hold a university degree and currently be employed earning a minimum of US$3,000 per month. The visa is granted for one year at a time, but is renewable if you continue to meet the criteria.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom still hasn’t introduced a digital nomad visa but allows visitors to stay on a Standard Visitor Visa for up to six months. Some nationalities, such as China, India, and Indonesia, have always been excluded from this visa. The UK has introduced a new Business Visitor Visa for these nationals if they can prove they are traveling for legitimate business and have sufficient funds to support themselves.
Uruguay
Uruguay became the latest South American country to offer a digital nomad visa in 2023. The visa is granted for six months in the first instance and is extendable for a further six months. The visa has a minimum income requirement of just US$1,500 per month. If you stay in Uruguay for a year, you can apply for a long-term visa based on your foreign income, renewable for up to four years. Residence is available after three years.
