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Eight countries that offer remote visa options for digital nomads

  • The Caribbean dual-island nation became the latest country to offer remote work visas to people looking to shift there. Under the Nomad Digital Residence Scheme, eligible applicants can live in and work in the tropical paradise for up to two years. They will have access to the nation’s 365 stunning beaches, car rental options, WiFi and cellular coverage. Antigua and Barbuda has largely escaped the clutches of the virus with only 107 cases and 3 deaths from the virus. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>To be eligible for the programme though, you need to show that you earn at least USD 50,000 a year. The application cost is USD 1,500 for a single individual, USD 2000 for a couple and USD 3,000 for a family of three. <br><em><strong>Image: </strong></em>St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda town skyline on Redcliffe Quay at dusk.
    1/8

    Antigua and Barbuda:

    The Caribbean dual-island nation became the latest country to offer remote work visas to people looking to shift there. Under the Nomad Digital Residence Scheme, eligible applicants can live in and work in the tropical paradise for up to two years. They will have access to the nation’s 365 stunning beaches, car rental options, WiFi and cellular coverage. Antigua and Barbuda has largely escaped the clutches of the virus with only 107 cases and 3 deaths from the virus.
    Eligibility: To be eligible for the programme though, you need to show that you earn at least USD 50,000 a year. The application cost is USD 1,500 for a single individual, USD 2000 for a couple and USD 3,000 for a family of three.
    Image: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda town skyline on Redcliffe Quay at dusk.
    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
  • A pioneer in launching digital remote visa options, Estonia allows digital nomads and location independent entrepreneurs to stay for up to a year in the country. The option, however, is only open to a few countries outside of the EU, Schengen zone and the United Kingdom. Another caveat is that if a Digital Visa holder is in the country for more than 183 days consecutively in a 12-month period, they will have to declare and pay taxes in the country. <br><br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>You will need to prove that have you work as a freelancer with clients based outside of Estonia, have an active employment contract with a company registered outside of Estonia, or conduct business through your own company registered outside the country. <br>You also need to prove that you meet the minimum balance requirement threshold of €3504 (approx USD 4,100). <em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Narrow street in the old town of Tallinn, Estonia
    2/8

    Estonia:

    A pioneer in launching digital remote visa options, Estonia allows digital nomads and location independent entrepreneurs to stay for up to a year in the country. The option, however, is only open to a few countries outside of the EU, Schengen zone and the United Kingdom. Another caveat is that if a Digital Visa holder is in the country for more than 183 days consecutively in a 12-month period, they will have to declare and pay taxes in the country.

    Eligibility: You will need to prove that have you work as a freelancer with clients based outside of Estonia, have an active employment contract with a company registered outside of Estonia, or conduct business through your own company registered outside the country.
    You also need to prove that you meet the minimum balance requirement threshold of €3504 (approx USD 4,100). Image: Narrow street in the old town of Tallinn, Estonia
    Xantana via Getty Images
  • Also called the Cradle of wine, the largely unexplored nation located in the Caucasus has launched its remote working programme called Remotely from Georgia, designed for freelancers, full-time employees and business owners. This enables them to work remotely for atleast 180 days to up to a year. People from around 95 countries are welcome to apply under the programme. The list, however, does not include India. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Along with requisite documents, travellers also need to show that they have the financial ability to pay taxes while staying in Georgia. They also need to show a minimum monthly salary of USD 2,000. If granted permission to work in Georgia, the traveller needs to undergo 12-day hotel quarantine at their own expense, post which they need to take the COVID test. <br><em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Abanotubani is the ancient district of Tbilisi, Georgia, known for its sulfuric baths.
    3/8

    Georgia:

    Also called the Cradle of wine, the largely unexplored nation located in the Caucasus has launched its remote working programme called Remotely from Georgia, designed for freelancers, full-time employees and business owners. This enables them to work remotely for atleast 180 days to up to a year. People from around 95 countries are welcome to apply under the programme. The list, however, does not include India.
    Eligibility: Along with requisite documents, travellers also need to show that they have the financial ability to pay taxes while staying in Georgia. They also need to show a minimum monthly salary of USD 2,000. If granted permission to work in Georgia, the traveller needs to undergo 12-day hotel quarantine at their own expense, post which they need to take the COVID test.
    Image: Abanotubani is the ancient district of Tbilisi, Georgia, known for its sulfuric baths.
    saiko3p via Getty Images
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  • The British Overseas Territory has launched the Work From Bermuda digital nomad visa, aimed at attracting digital nomads and remote workers to work on its shores for 12 months. The application fee is also cheaper at USD 263 fee, which includes the flexibility to travel to and from the country during the one-year stay. Family members can also avail of the scheme as long as they can show proof of sufficient financial support. <br>The island nation has been following a rigorous COVID-19 testing system which has enabled it to keep the virus under control. Bermuda has seen a total of 181 cases and nine deaths. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Applicants are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result within seven days of travel. They will again be tested on arrival at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport, and on the eighth and 14th day of their trip.
    4/8

    Bermuda:

    The British Overseas Territory has launched the Work From Bermuda digital nomad visa, aimed at attracting digital nomads and remote workers to work on its shores for 12 months. The application fee is also cheaper at USD 263 fee, which includes the flexibility to travel to and from the country during the one-year stay. Family members can also avail of the scheme as long as they can show proof of sufficient financial support.
    The island nation has been following a rigorous COVID-19 testing system which has enabled it to keep the virus under control. Bermuda has seen a total of 181 cases and nine deaths.
    Eligibility: Applicants are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result within seven days of travel. They will again be tested on arrival at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport, and on the eighth and 14th day of their trip.
    dbvirago via Getty Images
  • With tourism being the mainstay of the Caribbean nation, and with the pandemic affecting it dearly, Barbados has launched the Barbados Welcome Stamp programme under which remote workers can apply to live and work on the Island for 12 months. The tropical paradise has only seen 200 cases so far of the COVID-19, and 7 deaths. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Applicants need to show an expected income of atleast USD 50,000 for the next 12 months. The cost is USD 2,000 for solo travellers and USD 3,000 for families. Visa status will be confirmed in five working days.
    5/8

    Barbados:

    With tourism being the mainstay of the Caribbean nation, and with the pandemic affecting it dearly, Barbados has launched the Barbados Welcome Stamp programme under which remote workers can apply to live and work on the Island for 12 months. The tropical paradise has only seen 200 cases so far of the COVID-19, and 7 deaths.
    Eligibility: Applicants need to show an expected income of atleast USD 50,000 for the next 12 months. The cost is USD 2,000 for solo travellers and USD 3,000 for families. Visa status will be confirmed in five working days.
    NAPA74 via Getty Images
  • The Latin American country, bordering Nicaragua, already has a law that enables employees of private and public companies to work from their homes without commuting to work. This regularises the practice of remote working, which is prevalent in the country. <br>The country even has an eco-village and co-working community in the town of Santa Teresa. <br>Costa Rica offers a visa called a Rentista visa which allows self-employeed people or entrepreneurs to live and work in Costa Rica for two years. With tourism, the main industry in the country, getting a hit with the pandemic, Costa Rica is also reviewing a proposed law which would grant a one-year visa for remote workers. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>You need to show a monthly income of USD 2,500 for two years, or deposit USD 60,000 in a Costa Rican bank account. <br><em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Puntarenas Costa Rica<br>
    6/8

    Costa Rica:

    The Latin American country, bordering Nicaragua, already has a law that enables employees of private and public companies to work from their homes without commuting to work. This regularises the practice of remote working, which is prevalent in the country.
    The country even has an eco-village and co-working community in the town of Santa Teresa.
    Costa Rica offers a visa called a Rentista visa which allows self-employeed people or entrepreneurs to live and work in Costa Rica for two years. With tourism, the main industry in the country, getting a hit with the pandemic, Costa Rica is also reviewing a proposed law which would grant a one-year visa for remote workers.
    Eligibility: You need to show a monthly income of USD 2,500 for two years, or deposit USD 60,000 in a Costa Rican bank account.
    Image: Puntarenas Costa Rica
    Gianfranco Vivi via Getty Images
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  • With around 33 white-sand beaches and stunning coral reefs, Anguilla is a beach-lover’s paradise. For digital nomads who wish to spend time living and working on the island, the 35-square mile long British Overseas Territory offers a year-long visa at the cost of USD 2,000 per person. This covers testing for the visitors, additional health staff and surveillance and security for ports and digital work permit for travellers staying upto a year. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>The tourism board is prioritising longer-stay travellers, and applicants who come from countries or cities where COVID-19 prevalence is less than 0.2 percent.
    7/8

    Anguilla:

    With around 33 white-sand beaches and stunning coral reefs, Anguilla is a beach-lover’s paradise. For digital nomads who wish to spend time living and working on the island, the 35-square mile long British Overseas Territory offers a year-long visa at the cost of USD 2,000 per person. This covers testing for the visitors, additional health staff and surveillance and security for ports and digital work permit for travellers staying upto a year.
    Eligibility: The tourism board is prioritising longer-stay travellers, and applicants who come from countries or cities where COVID-19 prevalence is less than 0.2 percent.
    ©thierrydehove.com via Getty Images
  • The Czech Republic, with its dreamy, cobbled-stoned streets, picturesque castles and beautiful countryside, offers the zivno visa, or business long stay visa, which allows freelance and remote workers looking to live and work in the country. The processing time for the visa is 90-120 days. <br><br>The country, however, has seen the fastest rise in COVID-19 cases, with a total of 90,022 active cases. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Applicants need to show a bank proof of a minimum of approximately USD 5,600 for one year of stay.<br><strong> <br></strong><em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Old town of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic, UNESCO World Culture Heritage site
    8/8

    Czech Republic:

    The Czech Republic, with its dreamy, cobbled-stoned streets, picturesque castles and beautiful countryside, offers the zivno visa, or business long stay visa, which allows freelance and remote workers looking to live and work in the country. The processing time for the visa is 90-120 days.

    The country, however, has seen the fastest rise in COVID-19 cases, with a total of 90,022 active cases.
    Eligibility: Applicants need to show a bank proof of a minimum of approximately USD 5,600 for one year of stay.

    Image: Old town of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic, UNESCO World Culture Heritage site
    Xantana via Getty Images
The Caribbean dual-island nation became the latest country to offer remote work visas to people looking to shift there. Under the Nomad Digital Residence Scheme, eligible applicants can live in and work in the tropical paradise for up to two years. They will have access to the nation’s 365 stunning beaches, car rental options, WiFi and cellular coverage. Antigua and Barbuda has largely escaped the clutches of the virus with only 107 cases and 3 deaths from the virus. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>To be eligible for the programme though, you need to show that you earn at least USD 50,000 a year. The application cost is USD 1,500 for a single individual, USD 2000 for a couple and USD 3,000 for a family of three. <br><em><strong>Image: </strong></em>St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda town skyline on Redcliffe Quay at dusk.
A pioneer in launching digital remote visa options, Estonia allows digital nomads and location independent entrepreneurs to stay for up to a year in the country. The option, however, is only open to a few countries outside of the EU, Schengen zone and the United Kingdom. Another caveat is that if a Digital Visa holder is in the country for more than 183 days consecutively in a 12-month period, they will have to declare and pay taxes in the country. <br><br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>You will need to prove that have you work as a freelancer with clients based outside of Estonia, have an active employment contract with a company registered outside of Estonia, or conduct business through your own company registered outside the country. <br>You also need to prove that you meet the minimum balance requirement threshold of €3504 (approx USD 4,100). <em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Narrow street in the old town of Tallinn, Estonia
Also called the Cradle of wine, the largely unexplored nation located in the Caucasus has launched its remote working programme called Remotely from Georgia, designed for freelancers, full-time employees and business owners. This enables them to work remotely for atleast 180 days to up to a year. People from around 95 countries are welcome to apply under the programme. The list, however, does not include India. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Along with requisite documents, travellers also need to show that they have the financial ability to pay taxes while staying in Georgia. They also need to show a minimum monthly salary of USD 2,000. If granted permission to work in Georgia, the traveller needs to undergo 12-day hotel quarantine at their own expense, post which they need to take the COVID test. <br><em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Abanotubani is the ancient district of Tbilisi, Georgia, known for its sulfuric baths.
The British Overseas Territory has launched the Work From Bermuda digital nomad visa, aimed at attracting digital nomads and remote workers to work on its shores for 12 months. The application fee is also cheaper at USD 263 fee, which includes the flexibility to travel to and from the country during the one-year stay. Family members can also avail of the scheme as long as they can show proof of sufficient financial support. <br>The island nation has been following a rigorous COVID-19 testing system which has enabled it to keep the virus under control. Bermuda has seen a total of 181 cases and nine deaths. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Applicants are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result within seven days of travel. They will again be tested on arrival at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport, and on the eighth and 14th day of their trip.
With tourism being the mainstay of the Caribbean nation, and with the pandemic affecting it dearly, Barbados has launched the Barbados Welcome Stamp programme under which remote workers can apply to live and work on the Island for 12 months. The tropical paradise has only seen 200 cases so far of the COVID-19, and 7 deaths. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Applicants need to show an expected income of atleast USD 50,000 for the next 12 months. The cost is USD 2,000 for solo travellers and USD 3,000 for families. Visa status will be confirmed in five working days.
The Latin American country, bordering Nicaragua, already has a law that enables employees of private and public companies to work from their homes without commuting to work. This regularises the practice of remote working, which is prevalent in the country. <br>The country even has an eco-village and co-working community in the town of Santa Teresa. <br>Costa Rica offers a visa called a Rentista visa which allows self-employeed people or entrepreneurs to live and work in Costa Rica for two years. With tourism, the main industry in the country, getting a hit with the pandemic, Costa Rica is also reviewing a proposed law which would grant a one-year visa for remote workers. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>You need to show a monthly income of USD 2,500 for two years, or deposit USD 60,000 in a Costa Rican bank account. <br><em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Puntarenas Costa Rica<br>
With around 33 white-sand beaches and stunning coral reefs, Anguilla is a beach-lover’s paradise. For digital nomads who wish to spend time living and working on the island, the 35-square mile long British Overseas Territory offers a year-long visa at the cost of USD 2,000 per person. This covers testing for the visitors, additional health staff and surveillance and security for ports and digital work permit for travellers staying upto a year. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>The tourism board is prioritising longer-stay travellers, and applicants who come from countries or cities where COVID-19 prevalence is less than 0.2 percent.
The Czech Republic, with its dreamy, cobbled-stoned streets, picturesque castles and beautiful countryside, offers the zivno visa, or business long stay visa, which allows freelance and remote workers looking to live and work in the country. The processing time for the visa is 90-120 days. <br><br>The country, however, has seen the fastest rise in COVID-19 cases, with a total of 90,022 active cases. <br><strong>Eligibility: </strong>Applicants need to show a bank proof of a minimum of approximately USD 5,600 for one year of stay.<br><strong> <br></strong><em><strong>Image:</strong></em> Old town of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic, UNESCO World Culture Heritage site
Gayatri Vinayak

Imagine working in your beachwear, sipping a pina colada and living amidst the deep blue skies and golden sands. Sounds difficult considering the lockdown and pandemic we are in right now. But that is exactly what a handful of countries are offering – a chance to escape the drudgery of working from home and a change of scenery and country. And peripatetic workers are planning to make the most of it.

While the virus has changed the way people work and travel and tourism taking a hit across the world, it has also opened new opportunities that countries and businesses are looking to tap. Hotels are offering workations, staycations and even schoolcations, co-working spaces are opening up at exotic locations and Governments are reaching out to potential digital nomads and entrepreneurs to set up their work bases in the country.

Enter digital nomad visas - aimed at legalising the state of digital nomads, freelancers or travelling professionals in a particular country. They allow for longer stays and are often easier to obtain than work or residency visas. In return, most of these countries require people to prove that they are working with a company listed outside of the country so that they are not seen as taking jobs away from locals.

Here are some countries you can look at which offer remote visa options: