by Charlie
Argentina
Argentina is the second Latin American country, after Brazil, to introduce a digital nomad visa, valid for six months, which can be renewed once per digital nomad within the same time period, making it possible to stay for up to one year.
The Argentine government will also offer packages such as discounts on airport transfers and transportation, discounts on lodging, discounts on shared office space, and additional benefits in education, culture, and gastronomy. The Government also emphasized that Buenos Aires was in the top 10 best cities in the world to live as a digital nomad, and that the city had been named the “Best City to Live in Latin America”.
Mexico
Mexico’s digital nomad visa is valid for one year, renewable for a total stay of four years. Applicants cannot work for a local company and income must come from outside of Mexico. They will also be considered tax residents of Mexico if they stay more than 183 days in a year.
Since the visa is primarily for Canadians, all fees, approximately $288, need to be paid when applying for the Canadian dollar at a local bank branch. Proof of monthly income of at least $2,720 or an average monthly bank balance of $35,290 is required. Applicants must also meet one of the following conditions:
Maintain a bank balance of $43,000 for the past 12 months or have earned $2,595 per month for the past 6 months (tax-free, with an additional $861 per family member if bringing in a spouse or dependent), or own Mexican real estate valued at least $346,000.
Canadian
Canada’s Digital Nomad Visa supports a maximum six-month stay, but people have the option to extend their permits if they are employed by a Canadian company. Its focus is on bringing tech employees from the U.S., but the Canadian government also encourages employees from around the world – recent initiatives have also incentivized healthcare workers and STEM industry professionals to come to work in Canada.
The visa initiative will last for one year, or until the Canadian government receives 10,000 applications. Applicants can bring family members with them; only the applicant will count toward the 10,000 cap, and any other family members will not be counted.
Decisions on digital nomad visa applications in Canada will be made within 28 days and currently require the applicant to meet the following criteria:
- Perform work remotely for a foreign employer;
- show sufficient funds to support themselves in Canada for up to six months;
The documents required for the application are:
- 6 months of bank statements showing proof of funds;
- offer letter and pay stubs from current company;
- updated resume;
- work history letter;
- house lease or other proof.
Brazil
Brazil has a thriving digital nomad community and it was the first country in South America to offer a digital nomad visa. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year, and applicants can also obtain residence in Brazil through investment or Brazilian citizenship. The visa costs $100 and requires a minimum monthly income of $1,500 as well as having approximately $18,000 in savings at the time of application.
Columbia
The Colombian Digital Nomad Visa allows for a stay of up to two years, allowing applicants to bring their spouses and dependents with them, as well as the opportunity to start a digital technology business in Colombia, a unique feature not allowed under most digital nomad visas.
Applicants must work as an employee, freelancer, submit a letter from your employer in English or Spanish proving that you work remotely, or own a business outside of Colombia that earns at least $900 per month.
Bermuda
Bermuda, which already has several shared office spaces, vacation and electric car rentals, and other venues, has a digital nomad visa that is valid for one year and renewable. The full application process is supported online and takes just 15 minutes to complete, and a response will be received within five working days. Applicants can bring their spouses and family members, but each family member must complete their own application form and submit all related applications on the same day.
Applications are subject to a visa fee of US$263, an employment contract or business registration proving income earned outside of Bermuda, with no minimum income requirement, but must have sufficient means and sources of income to support themselves. If the applicant is a student, he or she is required to submit an offer of admission to an undergraduate, graduate, research or doctoral degree programme.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa, known as the Rentista, is valid for one year, renewable for another year, and costs $250. Proof of a monthly income of $3,000 is required, and the amount may increase if there are more people.
Digital nomads can travel to Costa Rica with their spouses and dependents on this visa, and can also use the visa to open a local bank account, be exempt from local Costa Rican taxes, and drive with a driver’s license from their country of origin.
Ecuador
Ecuador’s Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to reside in the country for up to two years, and applicants are not required to pay taxes on income earned outside of Ecuador, and can bring their spouses and dependents with them on this visa.
Applicants must work as an employee, freelancer, or own a business outside of Ecuador and earn $1,350 per month (three times the Ecuadorian base wage), with a minimum additional income of $250 for each dependent.
Uruguay
The Ecuadorian digital nomad visa allows for residence in the country for six months to one year. While applicants cannot apply with a spouse or dependents, almost everyone is eligible, both in terms of the application process and eligibility requirements, and the Uruguayan digital nomad visa is one of the easiest visas to obtain.
Applying for a Uruguayan digital nomad visa only requires the applicant to work remotely for a company or client located outside of Uruguay as an employee, freelancer, or business owner, and to sign an affidavit attesting to the ability to earn enough money to support themselves in Uruguay through remote work.
Anguilla
The British Overseas Territory of Anguilla is located in the Caribbean, and the small island’s digital nomad visa is valid for 12 months, welcoming not only remote workers but also students enrolled in online programs.
Applicants are required to work remotely outside of Anguilla as an employee, freelancer or business owner, or must be enrolled in a university outside of Anguilla. The cost of the visa is US$2,000 per applicant or US$3,000 for a family of up to four persons, with an additional US$250 for each additional dependant, and a minimum required income of US$55,000 is required. In addition to the digital nomad visa, some countries require visas to enter Anguilla.
Barbados
Barbados says its digital nomad visa, the Barbados Welcome Stamp, allows you to stay on the island for up to 12 months with the option to renew the visa without having to pay local income tax to Barbados.
The application process is also relatively simple, being done online and not involving any interaction with embassies or consulates. The application fee is US$2,000 for individuals and US$3,000 for couples and families, with proof of relationship required if bringing a spouse or children. It is also required that the applicant be an employee of a company based outside Barbados, be a freelancer for clients based outside of Barbados, or own a business established outside of Barbados that earns $50,000 in a one-year period.
Dominican Republic
Palm trees, tropical climate, beautiful beaches, you may recognize Dominica from the famous Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, it is also one of the cheapest islands to live in the Caribbean. The Dominica Digital Traveler Visa is valid for 18 months and allows applicants to bring family members with them and have no obligation to pay income, capital gains or dividend taxes during their stay.
Applicants need to be remotely employed or own a company outside of Dominica, or be a freelancer working with foreign clients and earning US$50,000 per year.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the few visa programs offered free of charge that welcomes digital nomads, remote workers and entrepreneurs from 95 countries including the United States, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom to apply remotely.
The program has a one-year permitted stay, and those who register their businesses as individual entrepreneurs can also apply for permanent residency. Proof of personal income of $2,000 per month or bank statements of at least $24,000 are required. Under the Individual Entrepreneur Program, Georgia imposes a 1% tax on turnover up to $155,000.
Bahamas
The Bahamas’ Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay allows digital nomads, freelancers, remote workers and students to work on any of the 16 tax-free islands that comprise the Bahamas for a period of one year, which can be renewed up to a maximum of three years, depending on circumstances.
Applicants are required to pay both an application fee and a permit fee totaling $1,025 per person and $525 per family dependent, and submit a letter from a current employer or proof of self-employment showing income. Citizens from the United States, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom do not need an additional travel permit.
Panama
With its sunny, tropical climate, Panama is rated as one of the most livable countries in the world. Its Digital Nomad Visa allows holders to reside in Panama for nine months, with the ability to renew for another nine months, become a tax resident and take advantage of the country’s favorable tax rates.
Applicants are required to earn income working remotely as an employee or business owner of a company, or as a freelancer for clients outside of Panama, earning at least $3,000 per month.
It is important to note that applicants for the Panama Digital Nomad Visa are not allowed to bring their family members with them and must be assisted by an immigration attorney before submitting their application.
Montserrat
The island of Montserrat with broadband Internet calls its digital nomad visa a teleworker’s voucher, valid for one year and renewable. Family members are allowed to bring along and there is no need to pay taxes to the country.
The application process can be completed online in less than 15 minutes. An application fee of $500 for an individual or $750 for a family of four is required, with an additional $250 for each additional dependent. Applicants need to be employed or own a business outside Montserrat, or they can freelance with clients abroad, and provide proof of an annual income of $70,000.
Cayman Islands
The Digital Nomad Visa for the Cayman Islands is aimed at affluent digital nomads and remote workers and is valid for two years. The application process is completed entirely online and the entire process takes three to four weeks. It is also possible to apply with extended family, which includes parents/step-parents, grandparents, children/step-children, spouses and siblings/half-siblings, and is valid for two years.
The visa fee is US$1,469 for individuals/couples and US$500 for each additional family member thought. Applicants must be employed outside the Cayman Islands or own a business outside the Cayman Islands, or be freelancers with foreign clients, with proof of annual income of US$100,000 for an individual, US$150,000 for a couple and US$180,000 for a family.
Curaçao
Curaçao’s digital nomad visa permits residence on the island for six months, with an option to renew for another six months, and the ability to bring a spouse and dependents with them. During this time the visa holder is not a tax resident and therefore does not have to pay local taxes.
Applicants are required to pay an application fee of $264, must work for a company or own a business or have freelance clients located outside of Curaçao to earn a subsistence income, have health insurance on Curaçao, and have booked an accommodation or residential rental.
The application process and requirements are relatively simple and relaxed, and with no minimum income requirement, the cost of living in Curaçao is one of the lowest in the Caribbean.
Grenada
With English as the official language in Grenada, communication and acclimatization will be much easier than one might think. Applicants can bring their spouse and dependents under the age of 18 for a one-year stay, with the option to renew for another year, and are eligible for zero income tax.
The application fee is US$1,500 for an individual, US$2,000 for a family of four and US$200 for each additional dependent. Applicants must be employed or own a company located outside of Grenada or work as a freelancer with clients outside of Grenada and meet an annual income of US$37,000.
Armenia
The Armenian digital nomad visa grants a one-year temporary residence permit, which is renewable, and the ability to bring family members with them, including spouses, children and parents. If one resides in the country for more than 183 days in a year, he or she is considered a tax resident and can apply for Armenian citizenship after three years of legal residence.
Visa holders have the same opportunities as Armenian citizens and have access to the national healthcare, education system and more. Applicants must be registered as sole proprietors or “private entrepreneurs” in Armenia, working as freelancers or business owners with clients around the world.
