18 countries with a digital nomad visa where you can live and work

In a post Covid-19 world (sorry, we dropped the ‘c’ word), remote working has become ever more popular, with thousands of digital nomads flocking to places far and wide.

But how do they manage it, I hear you ask? Well, step forward the digital nomad visa if you please…

Picture it now – you’re sat on a palm-fringed beach in the tropics, an ice-cold coffee in hand, listening to the waves lap against the sand while you’re tapping away working on a laptop. Sounds a bit too good to be true, am-I-right? Well, what if I told you that this exact scenario isn’t just a long and distant pipe dream?

Post deep breath Covid-19, the world has well and truly changed and remote working has boomed. In fact, with the arrival of the digital nomad visa – a document or permit which allows you to live and work legally in an array of different countries across the globe – it’s never been easier to head off to a far-flung location, get settled and immerse yourself into a brand-new culture.

So, what’s the different between a working holiday visa and a digital nomad visa?

A digital nomad visa is solely meant for either freelancers, business owners or for remote workers who are employed by a company outside the country in which they are applying to live.

Working holiday visas on the other hand are designed to cater to those who don’t yet have a job but who are wanting to live and work overseas for a period of 1-3 years. If that’s you, then JENZA have got your back. We offer working holiday visas in Oz, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the UK and Japan – so if you don’t have your own TikTok pastry folding influencer empire or a job that allows you to work remotely, then we’re here to help!

If you fall into the digital nomad camp, then first of all – hats off for making it happen. Digital nomad visas are independently sourced, so we can’t help you to get these visas. However, we can give you advice on where in the world you can take your adaptor plugs and killing-it-at-life attitude.

So, where in the world offers digital nomad visas?

There are now more than 60 countries around the world which offer digital nomad visas, allowing for extended stays to those who are wanting to work remotely, with more being added all the time. Most of these give you up to 12 months in-country with the opportunity to extend, so you can really get right to the heart of a country – whether than be Colombia or Canada.

It should be noted however that many of these countries will require you to pay some tax while you’re in country – make sure you don’t get caught out! So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here’s a run-down of 18 countries you can live and work on a digital nomad visa.

1. Spain

Golden beaches, mighty mountains, romantic cities – and let’s not forget those tasty tapas and jugs of sangria - heading to sunny Spain is always a good idea. Well, what if I told you that you could now live and work remotely anywhere in the country for up to one whole year, with the possibility of extending after that up to two times. So, whether you’re wanting to bed down in the cultural behemoth of Barcelona or laze with a laptop on the party-heavy beaches of the White Isle, then this one’s got you covered.

Minimum income required: €2,160 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: Around €80 (dependent on where you’re applying from)

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of extension twice

2. Portugal

One of the most popular choices for digital nomad visas, Portugal has seen a massive boom in remote workers since they were implemented back in October 2022. And to be honest, it’s easy to see why. Ancient castles and some of the world’s best surf spots go hand in hand with fantastic food and sun-kissed beaches. It takes around 90 days to get the visa through, so you can’t really be in a rush with this one, but it’ll be worth it in the end! Just think – the vinho verde and pastel de natas will be waiting for you upon arrival…

Minimum income required: €3,280 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: Around €180 (dependent on where you’re applying from)

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of extension four times

3. Italy

Ah – where to start with Italy? Clifftop villages, crumbling, medieval ruins, the best cuisine on earth (fight me!), bloomin’ Aperol spritzes – it really is the crème de la crème of Europe, and that’s before you even look at how cheap the requirements are for getting a digital nomad visa here actually are. You only need to prove you earn €8,500 per year, and you can also take your pick of where you want to live. Channel your inner Jennifer Coolidge from the White Lotus in Taormina, Sicily or escape from mankind in the foothills of the snow-capped Alps. The choice is yours.

Minimum income required: €8,500 per annum (proof is required from the year prior, correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: Around €116 (dependent on where you’re applying from)

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of extension

4. Greece

Continuing with the Mediterranean theme, Greece announced its digital nomad visa way back in 2021, being one of the first countries to do so, and at just €75, it’s one of the cheapest visas to get on this list, and you’ve got the piercing blue waters of the Adriatic and Aegean Seas to entice you – not that you probably need much enticing, mind. You’ll need to earn €3,500 per month here though, so it’s not exactly open to everyone, but if you can afford it then it’s definitely worth it. Weekends watching the sun setting over the cliffs of Santorini or the escaping to the vineyards and olive groves of Kefalonia? Yes please!

Minimum income required: €3,500 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: Around €75 (dependent on where you’re applying from)

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of extension twice

5. Bali

I bet you 50 buck that you probably know someone who has gone and become a digital nomad over in Bali, and let’s be honest, can you blame them? Lush, jungle-covered scenery, endless stretches of sand, majestic temples and some pretty epic nightlife – Bali has got it going on. Sure, you might need to avoid an influencer or two (ok maybe hundreds of them), but that’s a small price to pay when life looks this good. Plus, if you’re big on diving, then the Gilis and Nusa Lembongan are within easy reach and offer you the chance to spot giant mola mola, mantas and loads of turtles. Win, win.

Minimum income required: USD $2,000 in savings (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: USD $131.23 (60 days) or USD $393.70 (180 days)

Visa length: 60 days (which can then be renewed twice up to 180 days) or 180 days (which cannot be renewed)

6. Canada

You know how much we love Canada here at JENZA – there’s a reason why we offer Work Canada which allows you to work in Canada for 2-3 years (passport dependent). However, if you’re a remote worker, there is another route to you working in the Great White North. You’ll need to prove you work for a company outside of Canada, you can stay for six months, and tech jobs are favoured. Now for Sophie’s Choice – east or west coast?

Minimum income required: None – you’re just required to work for a company based outside of Canada

Visa cost: From CAD $100 (dependent on where you’re applying from)

Visa length: Up to 6 months

7. Malaysia

Travellers to South East Asia often give Malaysia a miss in favour of other destinations, and we can’t for the life of us figure out why. After all, you’ve got some of the best food in the world (Penang’s Little India enters the chat), coral-speckled islands in the shape of Tioman and the Perhentians, one of the region’s most cosmopolitan cities and actual orangutans… the digital nomad visa here also lasts up to a year and you can extend it for another year after that.

Minimum income required: USD $24,000 per annum (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: RM 1,000

Visa length: 3-12 months with the possibility of a 12-month extension

8. Japan

This digital nomad visa is so new that it doesn’t even have a price tag yet, but thank goodness it exists. One of the most fascinating and unique countries on the planet, Japan is an eclectic melting pot of snow-capped peaks, Buddhist temples, futuristic skyscrapers, delicious food… we could go on and on. A place where the old meets the new like ying and yang, it’s a place that really has to be seen to be believed – the perfect spot to be a digital nomad then.

Minimum income required: ¥ 10 million per annum (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: To be confirmed (DM us if you know!)

Visa length: 6 months

9. Colombia

Ask pretty much any traveller you come across what their favourite country is, and I guarantee you that Colombia will feature more times than not. It’s a spellbinding destination where the soaring peaks of the Andes go hand in hand with the lush, wildlife-filled jungles of the Amazon and the azure coral reefs of the Caribbean – and that’s not even mentioning the cities! Speaking of which, Medellin is often dubbed the best place to be a digital nomad on earth, and you can expect incredibly affordable prices, lively nightlife and some of the most welcoming people around. Best get that flight ticket booked then.

Minimum income required: USD $995 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: USD $52 (processing fee) plus between USD $170-230 (visa fee)

Visa length: Up to 24 months

10. Costa Rica

Now if you’re still thinking about Colombia, then I raise you Costa Rica dear reader. This verdant Central American country is one of the world leaders in conservation and ecotourism – in fact, almost 40% of the country is officially protected, and 25% is in the shape of national parks and wildlife reserves. This is the place where you can see sloths and howler monkeys in the trees, alongside whales, dolphins and nesting turtles offshore – not to mention over 900 species of birds! So, if you’re a wildlife buff and are earning 3k in USD per month, then this one’s a no brainer.

Minimum income required: USD $3,000 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: USD $90 (processing fee), plus a security deposit of 75% of a return flight home and a residency fee of USD $50

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of a 12-month extension

11. Norway

Stunning fjords, soaring peaks, the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky and even the chance to snorkel with orca (seriously) – Norway is arguably one of the most captivating countries in the world. Here, being outdoors is order of the day – even when it’s literally Baltic outside – so if that’s your bag, then this one is for you. You’ll need to have a contract with a Norwegian client, and the actual digital nomad visa isn’t exactly cheap – but 24 months surrounded by some of the most impressive scenery on the whole planet? Yes please!

Minimum income required: €35,719 per annum (plus proof of a contract with a Norwegian client who is paying at least €40 per hour, correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: €600

Visa length: Up to 24 months

12. Malta

Even though it’s small, the archipelago of Malta, Gozo and Comino packs a pretty almighty punch. Lapped by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, it boasts numerous Roman fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum – an ancient neolithic burial site. Add in deep sea caves which are just waiting to be explore with a scuba tank, sky-high cliffs, exquisite seafood, and a warm climate all year round, and you can see why digital nomads absolutely love this spot!

Minimum income required: €32,400 per annum (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: €300 plus €27.50 (processing fee)

Visa length: 12 months with the possibility of extension twice

13. Estonia

A part of the former Soviet Union, Estonia is renowned for its absolutely stunning scenery – think countless lakes, rocky beaches and thick forest – not to mention magnificent churches and hilltop fortresses. In other words, it basically looks like it belongs in a movie. Its capital, Tallin, has become increasingly fashionable over the years, and it’s picturesque Old Town is just waiting to be discovered.

Minimum income required: €4,500 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: €80 (C Visa) or €100 (D Visa)

Visa length: 90 days (C Visa) up to 12 months (D Visa)

14. Brazil

An absolute whopper of a country, Brazil has everything from powder-sand beaches and jaguar-filled wetlands to captivating megacities and some of the best nightlife you’ll find on the entire planet. The digital nomad visa here is also one of the cheapest you’ll find, and you don’t need to earn the big bucks to move here either. In fact, the only difficult thing to choose is where the heck you’re gonna live!

Minimum income required: USD $1,500 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: USD $100 (dependent on where you’re applying from)

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of a 12-month extension

15. Panama

Another Central American gem here, Panama has pretty much everything you’d want from a country as a digital nomad. Tasty grub, tropical islands you can visit at the weekend, affordable prices, plenty of adventure - not to mention one of the most progressive and forward-thinking capitals in the whole of Latin America. A great spot for remote work we say.

Minimum income required: USD $36,000 per annum or USD $3000 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: USD $250 processing fee plus USD $50 for the visa card

Visa length: 9 months with the possibility of a 9-month extension

16. Croatia

Croatia is arguably the jewel in the Mediterranean’s crown – and it offers everything from UNESCO-listed monuments, out-of-this-world beaches, epic music festivals and stunning scenery. And that’s not even mentioning it’s world-class national parks or incredibly tasty food. It’s also pretty darn cheap to live and work out here as a digital nomad, so all in all, you’re onto a bit of a winning streak with this one.

Minimum income required: €2,300 per month (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: €46.45 (temporary residence) plus €31.85 (processing fee) plus €9.29 (administrative fee)

Visa length: Up to 12 months

17. Seychelles

If you had to sum up the word paradise, then the Seychelles would probably be it in a nutshell. White-sand beaches, kaleidoscopic coral reefs, jungle-covered peaks, azure waters, giant tortoises, scenic nature trails… you get the picture. The digital nomad visa is also under USD $50, and you don’t need a minimum amount of income to get one, so the only question we’ve got is – why aren’t you on a plane yet?

Minimum income required: No minimum income is required, but your finances are assessed to determine whether you can afford to stay in Seychelles (correct as of Aug ‘24)

Visa cost: $46.07

Visa length: Up to 12 months

18. Peru

Our final entry on this list of where to head with a digital nomad visa is none other than Peru – a bucket list location which offers everything from Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca – plus a whole load of alpacas and llamas. It’s truly impossible to put into words what this enchanting place is like to visit, let alone live, so we won’t even try. The digital nomad visa also is in the initial stages of being rolled out, so fingers crossed this one crosses over the line.

Minimum income required: To be confirmed (DM us if you’re there already on this visa!)

Visa cost: To be confirmed

Visa length: Up to 12 months with the possibility of an extension

Don’t have a job sorted for a digital nomad visa, but still wanting to live and work abroad? Check out all our work, camp and intern abroad options

*Outside of the experiences we sell, JENZA are not visa advisors. This article was written to help direct those who may qualify for a digital nomad visa towards countries where they may be able to work. Please always research where you are looking to go and the visa rules and regulations carefully.