Why Digital Nomad Visas aren’t just Working on the Beach

Do you want to work on the beach with your laptop with a piña colada? We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s not what working remotely abroad is like, regardless of what you might have heard or seen on social media. 

What Exactly is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A Digital Nomad Visa is a system designed for marketing, digital, and tech professionals who want the flexibility of remote work and the adventure of travelling without the limitations of standard tourist visa rules. Unlike other work visas, Digital Nomad Visas allow professionals to live in a foreign country while working remotely for a company not based in that country. 

Digital Nomad Visas started to gain popularity around the 2010s, especially for easily performed remote digital, IT, and marketing roles, such as software development, content management, or data analysis. The shift towards remote working during the pandemic and the desire to travel once global travel restrictions were lifted have made nomad working especially popular. 

How Popular are Digital Nomad Visas?

Digital Nomad Visas are extremely popular these days! Over 35 million people currently define themselves as digital nomad employers, and a quick Google Trends search shows a rise in search volumes for terms such as ‘digital nomad’ and ‘digital nomad visa’. 

Italy is the latest country to launch a new digital nomad visa for highly skilled workers, so we’ll use their visa system as an example to illustrate the requirements for a digital nomad visa: 

• You must apply outside Italy and work for a non-Italian company or be self-employed for foreign companies. 
• Your minimum salary must be €28,000 a year (about £24,000)
• You must have at least six months of experience working as a digital nomad elsewhere. 
• You must cover health insurance to cover medical care and hospitalisation costs.
• You must prove that you have secured accommodation in Italy.
• You must be exempt from previous criminal convictions.

What Countries in Europe have Digital Nomad Visas? 

Italy is the latest European country to provide Digital Nomad Visas, but the list of countries in Europe with Digital Nomad Visas is indeed very long: 

What are the Favourite Destinations for Digital Nomads outside of Europe?

We all have heard about people moving to Bali or Lisbon and working remotely. There are 60+ digital nomad and remote worker visas around the world, so if you are considering the possibility of working remotely, you have plenty of locations to choose from. 

Below are the top ten destinations for digital nomads according the users of Nomads.com, ranking cost of living, Internet speed, safety and weather (at the time of writing this article):

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Tokyo, Japan
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
4. Mexico City, Mexico
5. Seoul, South Korea
6. Kuala Lumpur, Malasya
7. Chiang Mai, Thailand
8. Penang, Malaysia
9. Athens, Greece
10. Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

The Pros: What People Love about Digital Nomad Visas

Is working abroad for a local tech company as good as it sounds, you ask? The flexibility of working remotely, the work-life balance and the freedom to travel are the three reasons for becoming a digital nomad: 

• More flexibility to travel: Digital Nomad visas offer the flexibility to travel and live in different countries while maintaining a steady job. 
• Lifestyle styles: Living in a new country can offer a refreshing change of scenery and a more relaxed lifestyle, improving your well-being and productivity.
• A boost for the local economy: For the host country, attracting digital nomads can boost local economies as remote workers bring in foreign income without reducing opportunities for national candidates in the local job markets. 

The Cons of Digital Nomad Visas

On the other hand, applying for a digital nomad visa can be a long process, navigating the bureaucracy of the visa process. For instance, people with medical issues might struggle to get full health insurance coverage. 

1. It’s not a straight process: Applying for a digital nomad visa often involves navigating bureaucracy, fulfilling specific criteria, and sometimes bearing significant fees and health insurance requirements.
2. It’s a temporary solution: Digital Nomad visas are temporary and do not offer long-term residency or benefits. 
3. Tax complications: Managing tax liabilities can be complex, as digital nomads must adhere to tax regulations in both their home country and the host country. 
4. Employee Motivation: Strong self-discipline and self-motivation are vital to succeed as a remote worker. Unfortunately, not everyone can be productive working remotely and adapt to working in a different time zone than your team. 
5. Tension and social conflict: The increasing popularity of digital nomadism and the cost of living crisis have increased the price of some services in some popular destinations, e.g. increasing the competition for rental accommodation. The negative consequences have led to tensions in some cases. 

How to tell your company to let you become a digital nomad?

You’ve heard the pros and cons of digital nomad visas and now want to talk to your managers about becoming a digital nomad for your company. Here are some steps to follow to increase your chances of success: 

1. Prepare a detailed plan describing how you will manage your responsibilities remotely, including time zone differences, communication methods, and any tools you’ll use. 
2. Explain how offering remote work can benefit the company by increasing productivity, reducing office costs, or extending work hours across different time zones.
3. Suggest starting with a temporary arrangement, such as a trial period, to ease any concerns from your employer. 
4. Reassure your employer that your performance and motivation will remain high. Offer regular updates and feedback sessions to discuss your progress and results.
5. Do previous research to be ready to discuss any legal, tax, or logistical issues with HR and your managers.

Final thoughts about working remotely abroad with a Digital Nomad Visa

While working remotely and travelling with a digital nomad visa seems exciting, the process has many complexities and logistical challenges. As more digital and tech professionals consider this flexible working arrangement, understanding this visa system’s positive and negative sides is vital to making an informed decision. 

So, before you pack up your laptop and set off, ensure you’re fully prepared for what lies ahead, keeping the professional and personal implications in mind. 

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