Top 5 Countries for Remote Workers

Since COVID-19 caused a global health scare in 2020, demand for in-person mentoring services have dwindled significantly. But as the popular saying goes, when one door closes, another opens.

Remote work has been in the fringes of global labour for several decades, but came to prominence in early 2020. All you need is a laptop/smartphone and an internet connection, and your mentorship or training can continue unhinged. And with the introduction of digital nomad visas, entrepreneurs and freelancers can work from anywhere around the world.

But before packing your bags to make a dash towards the airport, check out our guide to countries that offer remote worker visas. Getting these details right will make your search for an excellent work destination much easier.

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Tourist Visa vs. Digital Nomad Visa

A standard tourist visa usually lasts within 30 – 90 days. Holders of these visas cannot work in their host country without a special permit. But a digital nomad visa allows holders to work and can last from anytime within six months to five years.

Some countries, like Portugal for instance, even have a window digital nomads can access for permanent residency.

Essential Points to Consider When Choosing Suitable Countries to Secure a Digital Nomad Visa

Internet connection

Without the internet, you’re not a digital nomad – but an ordinary nomad, probably sans camel. It goes without saying if you want to be a digital nomad and serve your clients around the world you'll need a country with a very reliable internet connection.

Anything less and your business could suffer significant losses. Choice locations like Dubai, Cape Verde, and many European destinations have strong internet services. Don’t be attracted to a location without checking out its internet connectivity first.

Visa duration

Are you planning to spend five years or more in one location as a digital nomad? It’s a smart move to consider how long your choice countries offer such visas. Some countries allow digital nomads spend no more than two years before a visa renewal is needed. But some other locations can allow digital nomad visas that spend up to five years before renewals. More details below for selected countries.

Path to permanent residency?

Some digital nomads decide they like their temporary home so much they want to stay and put down roots - maybe it's the beach, a great city, or perhaps a new partner. Very few countries currently offer a path to residency through digital nomad visas. But there’s a marked rise in demand for digital visas, and countries are warming up to such offerings. In the coming years we think more locations will provide such an option sooner rather than later.

Requirements

Many countries that offer digital nomad visas to entrepreneurs and freelancers have very friendly requirements. But some countries could offer quite the challenge before offering workers a digital nomad visa. For example, the Czech Republic offers visas to digital nomads who have about €5,600 in their bank account. But other locations like the Cayman Islands only offer these visas to people who earn $100,000 per year.

Requirements to obtain a digital nomad visa are checkered across locations. Be sure to confirm every detail about your preferred country before requesting for such a visa.

Top 5 Countries to Secure a Digital Nomad Visa in 2021

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1. UAE

Dubai, UAE offers digital nomads visas under their Virtual Working Program. There’s an upside to this visa as it supports bringing your family with access to most services available to citizens.

Standard requirements:

-               Proof of employment, ownership of a company, or one-year contract

-               $5,000 monthly salary minimum  with 3 months of bank statements

-               Health insurance (UAE coverage mandatory)

-               $290 visa fee

2. Barbados

Barbados named their visa the Welcome Stamp which runs for twelve months and can be extended for much longer.

Standard requirements:

-               Ownership of a location independent business or remote work for a company outside Barbados

-               $50,000 per year in earnings

-               Mandatory COVID-19 tests and quarantine (usually 48 hours)

-               $2,000 visa fee per person

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3. Croatia

You have to visit Croatia to apply for their 12-month digital nomad visa at the moment. But that may change soon with the rise in demand for such visas across the globe.

Standard requirements:

-               €2,500 per month minimum income or savings

-               Proof of self-employment

-               Passed criminal background check from your current country of residence

-               Proof of rental/accommodation agreement

-               Travel and health insurance for your period of stay

4. Portugal

Portugal has two visas suitable for digital nomads – D7 Passive Income Visa and D2 Migrant Entrepreneur or Independent Worker Visa. You can renew the residence permit and be on your way to permanent residency in just five years.

Standard requirements:

-               Proof of income, business ownership, or financial means

-               At least €600 per month in earnings

-               Criminal background check

-               €85 visa fee and €75 resident permit fee per person

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5. Mexico

Mexico offers a Temporary Resident Visa that is available first for twelve (12) months and can be renewed for longer.

Standard requirements:

-               $1,620 net earnings for the past six (6) months or $27,000 in your bank account

-               Proof of financial self-sufficiency

-               Ownership of a location independent interest or employment with a company based outside Mexico

Other Top Locations that Offer Digital Nomad Visas

About 40+ countries have visa programs curated for digital nomads to explore. Check out the list below for more options to seek a suitable nomad visa:

1. Norway
2. Anguilla
3. Antigua and Barbuda
4. Aruba
5. Bermuda
6. Cape Verde
7. Cayman Islands
8. Colombia
9. Costa Rica
10. Curacao
11. Czech Republic
12. Dominica Republic
13. Estonia
14. Georgia
15. Germany
16. Greece
17. Iceland
18. Jamaica (US citizens only for up to 6-months stay)
19. Malta
20. Mauritius
21. Montserrat
22. Seychelles
23. Spain
24. Vietnam

Make sure you go through every important detail about your choice destination before submitting an application. Some legal requirements may be friendly in some countries and quite harsh in others.

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Move to An Excellent Destination and Make Yoke Work for You, Wherever You Are

Being a digital nomad has its perks and can open up your career to a new world of possibilities. It’s a smart move to work in excellent surroundings, especially when you offer mentoring services. But would you be able to organise your schedule, interact with clients, and perform other activities at an optimal pace.

Yoke delivers all the tools and support you need to make sure your mentoring services have a greater reach. No matter your choice destination to live as a digital nomad, our expert services will make you an excellent coach in no time.

Hero image credit: Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash