There’s a common belief that digital nomadism is a lifestyle that’s driven by spontaneity and an itch for adventure, which, while not necessarily untrue, is far from the whole story.
Managing your life, work, and everything in between from a whole other country is a process that requires time, patience, and jumping through endless bureaucratic hoops, many of which come unexpectedly.
So, even though half of all global destinations are now welcoming remote workers with open arms, it’s worth noting that no two digital nomad visa (DNV) programs are created the same.
That’s why, UNWTO recently released a brief analyzing the 54 DNVs currently offered in the world along with their requirements.
From the countries that offered adequate information on the policies of their respective visa programs, we chose the five that are currently the easiest to obtain based on criteria such as processing time, income requirements, duration, fees, and taxation.
Albania
Albania’s Unique Permit Programme, launched in the first half of 2022, is hands-down one of the easiest digital nomad visas to obtain right now.
The visa is offered to all foreigners who are either self-employed or employed by a company outside of Albania, U.S. residents included.
As of the time of writing this article, there are no specified minimum income requirements.
However, anecdotal evidence shows that as long as your income is higher than the minimum salary in Albania (currently standing at ~ 40000 ALL/month or 410 USD/month), your application will be taken into consideration.
The application can be submitted online and processing times range between 15 days (for a single-entry visa) and 30 days (for a multiple-entry visa), while required fees stand at $64 and $107, respectively.
Once obtained, the visa is valid for one year, with the possibility of an extension for an additional five years.
Seychelles
The Seychelles Visitors’ Workcation Permit is offered to freelancers, the self-employed, as well as those working for a company outside of the country.
The application is submitted online and it can take up to 4 weeks for it to be reviewed. A modest $49 fee is required for the submission, and once the visa is obtained, its holder is fully exempt from taxation.
The document is valid for up to a year, though renewal is possible and easily awarded as long as all of the above steps have been taken carefully.
The Bahamas
The Caribbean’s crown jewel also happens to be one of the easiest countries to get a digital nomad visa from.
Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Permit Programme offers remote workers the opportunity to live in the island nation for up to one year, with a possibility for renewal for an additional three.
There’s no minimum income requirement, and the visa processing time stands at an impressive 5 days.
The only potential downside to this program is that it can be a bit pricier compared to its counterparts on today’s list.
The initial application fee stands at a humble $25; however, once the visa gets approved, applicants are expected to pay $1000 for themselves, and $500 for each dependent.
Considering the effortless application process and the type of life that awaits you on the idyllic island, though, the $1000 fee seems relatively reasonable.
Argentina
Living in this stunning South American country has never been easier – with the Short-Term Residence Permit for Digital Nomads offering remote workers the opportunity to live in Argentina for up to a year.
The whole application process is carried out online, and you can expect a response within 2-4 weeks.
Moreover, you won’t have to meet any minimum monthly income requirements and the total costs add up to roughly $200, which is pretty reasonable in the large scheme of things.
With all that said, you will be expected to pay the same taxes as all Argentinian residents, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your sightseeing excursions across the country.
Saint Lucia
If the idea of working from a dreamy Caribbean beach intrigues you, you’ll also want to consider Saint Lucia as your next destination of choice.
The Live It program launched in 2021 welcomes foreigners to live on the island for up to a year.
There are no minimum income requirements to qualify for the visa; however, once you spend more than 183 days in Saint Lucia, you’ll be considered a tax resident and required to pay accordingly.
That’s really the only downside of the whole process, though, seeing as applications can be submitted online, only take 5 days to be reviewed, and cost a modest $46-$70 depending on whether you’re applying for a single or multiple entry.
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