Since pandemic-induced stay-at-home mandates changed the workforce as we once knew it, remote work has skyrocketed. Today, about 20% of the workforce works remotely, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s compared to less than 6% of people who primarily worked from home pre-pandemic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
But remote workers aren’t necessarily working from their actual home these days. Rather, many remote workers are traveling the world, exploring and experiencing the far reaches of the globe, calling Airbnbs, hotels and co-living spaces their “home offices” instead.
As more people pack their bags and peruse flights to foreign lands, more countries are adapting to welcome them with open arms and attractive long-term digital nomad visas. While only a handful of countries offered digital nomad visas just a few years ago, in 2025, tons of countries offer location-independent workers the opportunity to work and live long-term — with terms, of course.
Here are some of the most popular places from which digital nomads are working these days.
1. Brazil
Brazil’s National Immigration Council of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security has regulated the granting of both temporary visas and residence permits for immigrants who work for foreign employers. They may stay for one year — and renew the visa for a second year — so long as they have proof of work and enough means to sustain life in Brazil.
“The remuneration of digital nomads stems from a source overseas, and the funds brought over by these immigrants warm up the Brazilian economy,” said Jose Vicente Santini, national justice secretary, in a 2022 statement. “This is an important step for Brazil in the promotion of one of the most modern labor models.”
2. Croatia
From the sandy stretches of Split to the 13th-century cobblestoned corners of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic nation of Croatia beckons business owners and entrepreneurs alike. And it’s among the countries to introduce a digital nomad visa.
According to Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior, the country defines a digital nomad as “a third-country national who is employed or performs work through communication technology” for their own business or for another company outside of the Republic of Croatia.
However, there are some stipulations. For example, nomads must provide proof of purpose, health insurance accepted in Croatia, a clean criminal record and proof they have money to support themselves, as well as an address in Croatia. The maximum amount of time remote workers can stay on the visa is 12 months.
While the visa cannot be extended, those who haven’t had enough of the craggy cliffside sunsets or the paradisiacal seashores can submit another application six months following its expiry.
3. Mexico
Whether it’s the dusty surf towns of Puerto Escondido and Sayulita, the dive destinations of Playa Del Carmen and Isla Mujeres, or the food stall-thronged streets of Mexico City and Oaxaca, Mexico is a hub for laptop-toting professionals. This is especially true for Americans, thanks to the close proximity to the U.S., the convenient time zones and appealing exchange rate.
Already, visitors can stay in Mexico on a six-month tourist visa. However, Mexico also offers nomads a temporary resident visa that’s good for a year and the ability to renew for an additional three. All that’s necessary is proof of a location-independent business or work outside of Mexico, as well as sufficient funds.
4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s canopied jungles became a magnet for those on the move amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as it remained open to Americans, many of whom flocked to the surf sanctuaries of Santa Teresa and Nosara. The country already had a freelancer visa, called the Rentista, which allows foreigners to stay for up to two full years (with the opportunity to extend), but it was limited. In August 2021, Costa Rica introduced a special one-year digital nomad visa that can be extended for a second year.
Digital nomad visa holders are exempt from local income taxes, and they receive a whole gamut of benefits. For example, they can open bank accounts in the country, drive with their home-country license and more. But to renew, nomads must be able to prove that they have spent at least 80 days in Costa Rica during the first year and pay a renewal fee.
5. Portugal
Portugal is often touted as expat central. The capital of Lisbon, for example, is teeming with travelers from all over the world — many of whom come to stay and work for the long haul, thanks to the copious laptop-friendly cafes, co-working offices, professional meetup groups and international networking events. All of that — and the pasteis de nata, of course.
Portugal offers visitors a digital nomad visa (the D8 visa) that benefits remote workers. This visa permits independent and entrepreneurial work purposes so long as the work is done remotely for companies outside Portugal. Unlike the Passive Income Visa (the D7 visa, which many digital nomads once used but is actually intended for individuals who have a stable income, such as retirement benefits and real estate rentals), the D8 visa requires proof of employment or self-employment with non-Portuguese clients. The D8 is valid for one year with the option to renew.
6. Mauritius
Mauritius offers a one-year premium visa for digital nomads who can prove that they have a monthly income of at least $1,500 and sufficient travel and health insurance for a long-term stay. Nomads must also have their own location-independent business or work remotely for a company that is not located within the country.
The one-year visa is available to all non-citizens who intend to stay in Mauritius as tourists, retirees or professionals carrying out business or working remotely. As with the others, visitors’ sources of income and profits should come from outside Mauritius.
7. Estonia
Estonia was the very first country to create an e-residency program for foreign entrepreneurs with online businesses. Flash forward to August 2020, and the Eastern European country also introduced a one-year digital nomad and freelancer visa for foreigners who wish to establish a Balkan base while working remotely for their own businesses or out-of-country companies.
Applications are available for either a Type C (short stay) or Type D (long stay) digital nomad visa in person at the nearest Estonian embassy or consulate. To be considered for either, visitors must provide evidence of foreign-earned income that meets the minimum threshold (about $4,800) in the six months preceding the application.
8. Spain
With year-round sunny skies, famous finger foods and storied history, Spain has a coveted digital nomad visa that allows remote workers to live in the world’s second-most popular destination (following France!). The Spanish digital nomad visa allows non-European Union residents to live in Spain — and roam freely around the Schengen Zone — for up to one year, with the possibility to extend for a maximum of five years.
The visa, which was launched as part of the Spanish Startup Act, requires applicants to demonstrate that their earnings are at least 200% of Spain’s minimum wage (which is about $2,800 per month or about $34,000 per year). Remote workers must show proof of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (or proof of three years work experience in their current field), stable contracts (with work for at least the last three months), permission from their companies to work in Spain and proof that the companies for which they work have been in business for at least one year.
Unlike many digital nomad visas, Spain’s allows remote workers to earn up to 20% of their income from clients and companies in Spain. However, there are some downsides. While Spain’s digital nomad visa is available to self-employed contractors or freelancers and remote employees of companies outside of Spain, the application process is often considered easier for those who are self-employed or who work on a freelance basis. That’s due to the complexities that employers have faced in obtaining Social Security certificates, which are required for employees.
9. Japan
Japan launched a digital nomad visa in 2024 to welcome its record-breaking numbers of tourists to the country. The six-month visa, which is twice the length of a standard tourist visa, allows remote workers to keep cranking while stuffing themselves with sushi. Visa holders can stay for up to six months within a one-year period (calculated on the basis of consecutive, not cumulative, months), but there are no extensions. Not unlike most digital nomad visas, the remote work must be for clients or employers outside of Japan.
For approval, the applicant must prove an annual income of about $67,000. The application also requires proof of insurance against death, injury and illness, as well as documentation of planned activities during the stay in Japan.
10. New Zealand
New Zealand doesn’t have a visa that is specific to digital nomads; however, this year, the country announced that visitor-visa holders can now work remotely for foreign clients, which was previously banned. The new rule is intended to encourage remote workers to visit the country and still be able to get their work done, without taking breaks or breaking the conditions of the visitor visa. The biggest stipulation: This allowance is only for visitor-visa holders who applied on or after Jan. 27, 2025.
Those with visitor visas in New Zealand may only work for clients or employers outside the country. But unlike many other digital nomad visas around the world, there is no minimum income requirement for those who wish to work from New Zealand. Visitors from countries like the U.S. can stay for up to six months (multiple entry) or up to nine months (single entry), 90 days of which working is permitted.
11. Taiwan
Taiwan is amongst the newest countries to offer a visa for digital nomads who visit for the world-famous food markets (and bubble tea, which originated here!). Taiwan’s digital nomad visa just launched in January and allows foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries (including the U.S.) to live and work remotely in Taiwan for up to six months.
The visa requires proof of an annual salary of at least $40,000 in one of the last two years for those ages 30 and older, or at least $20,000 for those between the ages of 20 and 29 — or proof of having obtained a digital nomad visa in another country. Proof of a bank account balance with an average of at least $10,000 over the last six months, as well as international health insurance, are also required.
12. Italy
Italy’s digital nomad visa is designed for highly skilled workers (including both freelancers or employees) working for companies in Italy or abroad. However, Italy’s digital nomad visa is only available to highly skilled workers with careers that meet or exceed the requirements listed in article 27-quater of Italy’s Legislative Decree n. 286 of July 25, 1998, which includes those that require post-secondary degrees or three years of professional training or experience.
A degree that is recognized through the Centro Informazioni Mobilita Equivalenze Accademiche (also known as CIMEA) or a Declaration of Value, combined with at least six months of experience in the intended remote work industry, is one way to demonstrate qualification. Without a degree, proof of least five years of professional experience in the relevant field may also be accepted. Eligibility for renewal of Italy’s digital nomad visa opens up after one year. Digital nomads can renew this visa for up to two more years.
13. Thailand
Thailand is a haven for digital nomads. In fact, many blogs have called the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai the “digital nomad capital of the world.” Thailand’s digital nomad visa, officially known as the Destination Thailand Visa (or DTV), costs $400 and allows remote workers to call the paradisiacal piece of Southeast Asia home for up to 180 days per entry with a total validity of five years (with exit and reentry).
However, digital nomads have another option for an even longer stay without coming and going all the time, so long as they can meet heftier financial requirements; Thailand also offers a Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa for what it calls wealthy global citizens, wealthy pensioners, highly-skilled professionals in targeted industries or remote workers working for well-established overseas companies.
Remote workers seeking this visa must be able to prove an income of $80,000 per year for the last two years, have a minimum of five years of relevant experience within 10 years of the application and have a health insurance policy in Thailand with coverage for medical expenses of no less than $50,000. The LTR visa application alone costs $1,600; however, once granted, it's valid for up to 10 years.
14. Canada
Canada doesn’t exactly offer a digital nomad-specific visa. Rather, it offers the opportunity for digital nomads to come and work for up to six months at a time without the need for any sort of special work permit. Digital nomads can also look for jobs in Canada and interview for Canadian employers while working for foreign companies in Canada on the “digital nomad visa” — and then apply for a work permit to extend their stay should they land a job there.
The program — essentially a longer-term visitor visa — started in 2023 to attract more talent to the country and give location-independent people a chance to explore all it has to offer, from wildlife-rich forests to sandy coastlines and culturally diverse cities. There’s no specific limit as to how many times visitors can enter Canada through the program, though frequent entries may raise questions regarding intentions.
15. Greece
The digital nomad visa for Greece was launched in 2021 and allows remote workers to live in the country and work remotely for up to one year. Families can also join in soaking up the Mediterranean sun, cuisine and culture for a fee. Compared to other Western European countries, Greece has a relatively low cost of living, which makes it ideal for digital nomads who want to experience Europe — with visa-free access to the Schengen Zone — with a more affordable home base. Plus, tax incentives such as a 50% reduction in income tax for the first seven years makes it even more financially attractive.
The stipulations are as per usual: Digital nomads must be employed or self-employed outside Greece, with the ability to complete their work obligations online. They must also meet a monthly financial requirement of about $3,800.
