With the rise of remote work, many location-independent US workers are leaving America and heading to these 17 countries that offer convenient work visas.
Explore While You Work
Have you ever wanted to clock in while you relax on the beach, or earn your paycheck while you explore an exotic new country? While many are returning to the office, millions of Americans still work from home full-time.
Digital Nomads on the Rise
If you are one of these people, you may be eligible to relocate to a new country. With the rise of remote work, the number of digital nomads – people who move to new countries or travel across the globe while they work from their laptop – is on the rise too, and many countries are establishing ‘digital nomad’ or ‘remote work’ visas.
17 Countries to Consider
Here are 17 nations that offer compatible work visas for US citizens, whether self-employed or salaried, who can do their job full-time outside of the office – and the country!
#1. Croatia
Croatia was one of the earliest adopters of the Digital Nomad Visa which established the process for foreigners in 2021. Close family members, such as spouses, children, and common-law marriage partners can also join workers in Croatia for the duration of their stay.
Cost of application: 55 EUR
Income requirement: 2540 EUR per month
Visa duration: 12 months
#2. Iceland
Known for its incredible natural beauty, living in Iceland as a remote worker sounds enticing – just be aware that the country has an exceptionally high-income requirement for digital nomads!
Cost of application: 88 EUR
Income requirement: 7300 EUR per month
Visa duration: 6 months
#3. Norway
The Norwegian digital-nomad visa is actually an ‘independent contractor visa’ that offers a surprisingly achievable minimum income requirement, but there’s a catch: you will need to have a signed contract with a Norwegian client to be eligible, and the application fee is rather hefty.
Cost of application: 600 EUR
Income requirement: 35,719 EUR per year
Visa duration: 2 years
#4. Portugal
One of the most popular locations for digital nomads is Portugal, an affordable country with beautiful weather, great food, and a relatively accessible visa scheme.
Cost of application: 75 EUR
Income requirement: 3,280 EUR per month
Visa duration: 1 year
#5. Spain
While some have reported that the application is long, complicated, and expensive, obtaining a Spanish DN visa will allow you to soak up the Mediterranean sun all year round.
Cost of application: 75 EUR
Income requirement: 2334 EUR per month
Visa duration: 5 years
#6. Malta
Sunny and historic Malta is another beautiful Mediterranean destination that welcomes remote workers to its shores.
Cost of application: 300 EUR
Income requirement: 2700 EUR per month
Visa duration: 6 months to 1 year
#7. Hungary
Also known as the White Card, the Hungary digital nomad visa allows remote workers with foreign employers and clients to live and work in this Eastern European country.
Cost of application: 110 EUR in home country, 76 EUR via online portal
Income requirement: 2000 EUR per month
Visa duration: 1 year
#8. Costa Rica
For US citizens who want to work on tropical beaches without straying too far from their home country, Costa Rica might just be the perfect choice.
Cost of application: 100 USD, 238 for guarantee deposit
Income requirement: 3000 EUR per month
Visa duration: 1 year
#9. Belize
Another tropical paradise that welcomes US remote workers who meet a certain income threshold is Belize – sparkling coastlines and intrepid jungles await!
Cost of application: 500 USD
Income requirement: 75000 USD per year
Visa duration: 6 months
#10. Brazil
Head further south to Brazil, which requires US workers to meet one of the lowest income thresholds on this list (less than $20,000 per year!), in order to enjoy the vibrancy and excitement of this South American nation.
Cost of application: 100 USD
Income requirement: 1500 USD per month
Visa duration: 6 months to 1 year
#11. Colombia
US digital nomads interested in living in a fascinating and fast-paced environment with a very low cost of living should consider Colombia, where a digital nomad visa is relatively easy to secure and you only need to earn less than $10,000 per year to apply!
Cost of application: 54 USD
Income requirement: 825 USD per month
Visa duration: 2 years
#12. Dubai
Many travelers are drawn to Dubai, the glittering metropolis of the Persian Gulf. Enjoy world-class shopping, impressive architecture, and desert adventures with the Dubai Virtual Work Residency Visa.
Cost of application: 611 USD
Income requirement: 3500 USD per month
Visa duration: 1 year
#13. Taiwan
Taiwan may just be one of the most underrated destinations in Asia, with sophisticated cities, an incredible food culture, and stunning natural sights. Since 2018 Taiwan has offered the Employment Gold Card, which allows foreigners to live and work there.
Cost of application: 100-300 USD, depending on citizenship and visa duration
Income requirement: 5,700 USD per month
Visa duration: 1 to 3 years
#14. Thailand
One of Asia’s most popular holiday destinations does offer a Long Term Residence Visa that is used by many remote foreign workers, but it has rather strict requirements – applicants will need to prove two years’ worth of income, as well as work for a company that generates atleast $150 million annually.
Cost of application: 1370 USD
Income requirement: 80,000 per year
Visa duration: Up to 10 years
#15. Malaysia
Travel south from Thailand and you’ll find the Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa, also known as the DE Rantau Programme, which aims to make Malaysia a more desirable option for remote workers from across the globe.
Cost of application: 220 USD
Income requirement: 24,000 USD per year
Visa duration: 3 months to 1 year
#16. Seychelles
Want to go on a permanent holiday to one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world? Consider Seychelles, which has adopted the Workcation Retreat Program which allows foreigners to live and work on one of the 115 islands of the Seychelles.
Cost of application: 50 USD
Income requirement: No specific threshold, you only need proof that you can financially support yourself
Visa duration: 1 year
#17. Namibia
Namibia is the first country on the African continent to offer a digital nomad visa, opening up a region of the world that would normally be reserved for travel only.
Cost of application: 62 USD
Income requirement: 2000 USD per month
Visa duration: 6 months
So, plenty of options to explore for those adventurous to give remote working in these amazing countries a try.
The post 17 Countries Opening Doors to U.S. Digital Nomads with Work Visas first appeared on Career Step Up.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Evgeny Atamanenko.
The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
