Looking for the countries with the best digital nomad visas and residency programs?
It’s a fact that the digital nomad lifestyle is the future of remote work. In line with the current global boom in remote working, it’s unsurprising that most countries now offer digital nomad visas.
A digital nomad visa is a temporary residency permit that lets you live and earn income in a foreign country without applying for citizenship or immigrating. Think of it as a blend between a temporary worker visa and a tourist visa.
Remote Year has done an excellent job explaining what a digital nomad visa is, how it works, and how you can apply for one. For this post, we’ll share the best countries with digital nomad visas (or something similar).
Best Digital Nomad Visa Countries
Croatia
With or without the digital nomad visa, Croatia is a country you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Croatia is a hot destination boasting undeniably beautiful nature, fairytale-like medieval towns, and a rich cultural heritage. The culture here is expressed through art, folk dances, music, food, and magnificent architecture. On January 1st, 2021, Croatia became one of the first countries in Europe to provide digital nomads with a long-stay visa.
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Benefits
The biggest benefit of the Croatian digital nomad visa is that it exempts you from double taxation. The assumption is that you’ll be paying income tax to your home country. The Croatia digital nomad city also allows you to bring your immediate family (spouse and kids), so long as you have a marriage certificate and birth certificates for the children.
Croatia’s digital nomad visa is valid for one year and can’t be renewed. Once the digital nomad visa expires, you must leave the country and wait 90 days before reapplying.
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
- Eligibility: your employer or business must be based outside of Croatia
- Cost: €60
- Processing time: three to four weeks
- Passport: must be valid for at least three months after your digital nomad visa’s expiration date
- Required monthly income: €2,300/month
- Visa validity: 1 year, non-renewable
Dubai (UAE)
Dubai needs no introduction as a digital nomad hub. This is one of the most popular cities in the world for people who work from anywhere, thanks to its quality infrastructure, diverse cultural scene, great living conditions, and top-notch coworking spaces, among other things. It’s also one of the countries with the best digital nomad visas and residency programs. In March 2021, the Emirate of Dubai became the first ‘country’ in the Middle East to issue a digital nomad visa.
Dubai Digital Nomad Visa Benefits
With the Dubai Digital Nomad visa, you can sponsor your spouse, family, and dependents. On top of that, you enjoy all the services and benefits that regular UAE residents do, including tax exemptions. You can open bank accounts, apply for bank loans, and even enroll your kids in schools in Dubai. You can leave the UAE while on a Dubai digital nomad visa. But you can’t be away for more than six months. Otherwise, you’ll need to reapply.
The Dubai Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year, but you can reapply without leaving the country. This is different from countries like Croatia, where you have to wait 90 days to reapply.
Dubai Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
- Eligibility: income must come from a business or employer outside of Dubai
- Cost: $611 (includes remote work visa fee, emirates ID card, and medical examination)
- Processing time: 5-7 days
- Passport: must be valid for the next six months (at least)
- Required monthly income: minimum of $5000 per month
- Visa validity: 1 year, renewable
Indonesia
Indonesia, particularly Bali, has been a magnet for all types of tourists for ages. Besides its 18000+ islands, this archipelago is also known for its natural beauty, a wealth of ancient temples, friendly locals, and mixed cultural experiences.
The Indonesia digital nomad visa has been in the works since 2021. The chances are that it will become active this year.
Indonesia Bali Digital Nomad Visa Benefits
The government is yet to give specific details regarding this visa. But we know that the Indonesia digital nomad visa will be valid for five years, making it the best in terms of validity. It may be possible to renew the Indonesia digital nomad visa. But that still needs to be verified.
Like Dubai, the Indonesia Bali digital nomad visa will exempt you from income taxes. You’ll be enjoying Bali’s enticing beaches, plentiful coworking spaces, and high-speed wi-fi while keeping your earnings. The only requirement is that your employer or source of income should be abroad.
Indonesia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
- Eligibility: you must have a business or employer outside of Indonesia
- Cost: not specified yet
- Processing time: not specified yet
- Passport: must be valid for six months
- Required monthly income: unknown yet
- Visa validity: 5 years
Malta
Malta is another interesting location if you fancy living right in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, and also one of the countries with the best digital nomad visas and residency programs. This island nation launched its Nomad Residence Permit program in 2021, thus offering digital nomads the opportunity to live in the Schengen Area that Malta is part of.
Malta Digital Nomad Visa Benefits
The most significant advantage of the Malta Nomad Residence Permit is that it is easy to access the EU and Schengen areas. Malta’s location in the Mediterranean sea means you’re surrounded by hot tourist destinations in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit costs €300, making it the best digital nomad visa for affordability. This program allows you to bring your family and stay with them throughout the validity of the visa. Note that you need to pay an extra €300 for each person.
Malta digital nomad visa holders are not required to pay any income tax. But that’s only if the company paying you is based out of Malta and the taxes are paid in your country of origin.
Malta Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
- Eligibility: be a non-EU, non-EEA, and Non-Swiss citizen employed by a company outside of Malta
- Cost: €300
- Processing time: 30 days
- Passport: must be valid for six months
- Required monthly income: €2700
- Visa validity: 1 year, renewable
Countries with digital nomad visas have varying application requirements. But a passport valid for several months after the visa’s expiry (mostly six) and proof that you earn money by working remotely are a must in almost all of them. Most digital nomad-friendly countries also exempt holders from paying income tax. However, it’s crucial to understand your home country’s tax requirements for digital nomads as you plan your next adventure.
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