What is a Digital Nomad visa and how do I get one?

There are many reasons why people decide to pack their suitcases and jump on the opportunity to live abroad for a while. Some do it out of the need to expand their horizons, others love to meet new cultures and taste different cuisines, while some simply want to escape from all the snow and cold weather and move closer to those lovely tropical beaches.

No matter the reason, the good news is that now with digital nomad visas, you will be able to visit many countries around the globe and stay there for up to 24 months. In this article, we will take a closer look at this option, including the requirements and availability all the way down to the very process for application.

What are some basic requirements?

Before we even dive into the requirements, it’s important to mention that nomad visas are generally intended for short-term stays. That is important for those who considered it as a way to obtain citizenship. If that’s the case, you will be better off looking elsewhere. However, if a digital nomad visa is what you want to obtain, here are some rules you will have to follow.

First of all, you will have to be older than 18 and have a steady monthly income, which is different for every country, but it usually amounts to at least 2x more than the country’s minimal wage. Every country is different in this regard, so be sure to double-check the information depending on your choice. Lastly, all digital nomads need to have a job suitable for remote working, which goes without saying.

How to apply for a digital nomad visa?

Once again, depending on your destination, the conditions for applying may somewhat vary. Still, some things always remain the same, and the process looks similar regardless of your destination. As you might expect, it all starts with filling out a form, which contains basic personal information, as well as some info about your business.

Next, you will have to find a consulate or an embassy where you can submit an application and have an interview, which is oftentimes necessary. It goes without saying that you will have to collect all the necessary documents, some of which you will have to translate and receive an apostille stamp which guarantees its originality. In case the digital nomad visa is not free at your chosen destination, you will probably have the option to pay all fees on the spot.

What are the waiting time and the costs?

Being that this is a type of visa, you might expect that you’ll have to be prepared for a long wait before you can finally receive it, but luckily, with a digital nomad visa, this is rarely the case. If all of your documents are valid, you’ll probably be looking at one month of waiting time.

The upfront costs include the translation of documents and perhaps the costs of taking new photos, but that’s pretty much negligible. On the other hand, the costs of a visa can vary greatly depending on your destination. While some countries even offer free digital nomad visas, in other cases you will need to pay more than $2000 to obtain this document. Will that affect your final choice of destination? In our case, it probably would.

What are the main differences compared to a regular tourist visa?

When you look at all the requirements, you might start thinking that it’s easier to simply apply for a regular tourist visa and hit the road, right? Well, there are some key advantages to a digital nomad visa that will make you think otherwise.

First of all, the main advantage includes the length of stay, which in the case of a tourist visa is usually no longer than 30 to 90 days. Compare that to the 2 or even 5 years that some countries offer to digital nomads, and it becomes easy to make a choice. Not only that, but nomad visas also allow you to legally work in a foreign country, which you cannot do with a tourist visa, while a working visa is much harder to obtain.

For digital nomads, this type of visa is truly the best of both worlds, and we hope that you’ll be able to obtain it and visit your dream destination in the year ahead of us!