27 Aug
Digital nomads are people who work remotely while travelling. And increasingly, countries are offering digital nomad visas to foreigners to attract wealthy long-term visitors and bolster economies.
Although Covid-19 reinvigorated digital nomadism, it’s a trend that’s been around for some time. Popular Computing magazine referenced the term in the early 1980s. As technology has improved and corporate policies relaxed, it’s become the domain of more than just the rogue startup founder or restless writer.
The internet is awash with not–so–humble brags of people who left office jobs to tick off countries while working remotely in paradise. But its rapid acceleration and popularity in the wake of Covid-19 is not without controversy. Full-time residents of popular digital nomad destinations are pushing back against outsiders clogging up coffee shops and lamenting the joys of cheap rent – often in cities where many residents can’t afford the same luxuries.
Even so, governments continue to woo digital nomads by offering specific visas that allow visitors to earn an income from their home country – and then, in between Zoom calls and Slack updates – inject some of that foreign currency into the local economy.
And although the South African passport is notoriously weak, some countries are still open to local digital nomads who can meet specific requirements. Central to most applications is a standard visa for the country or region, on top of which, you can stack a long-stay, temporary residence, or digital nomad visa.
Although terms, conditions, and eligibility change frequently, here are some destinations worth investigating if you fancy the idea of making your fellow employees back home despise you even more:
Anguilla
Anguilla is an idyllic British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean that includes the main island and several islets. The destination was one of the first to introduce a digital nomad visa programme in 2020 called “Lose The Crowd Find Yourself. Work. Life. Bliss.” It allows eligible visitors who meet a raft of requirements and pay a fee of R34,000 to live and work from Anguilla for three to 12 months.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas offers an extended stay visa called BEATS, which allows digital nomads to work remotely from its 16 islands for one year. Applicants must be eligible to enter the Bahamas or have the requisite visa, pay a small application fee, and provide medical insurance and employment proof. Successful applicants must then pay R17,000 to receive the digital nomad visa.
Bermuda
Bermuda allows those who meet specific requirements to apply for a Work from Bermuda certificate. Remote workers must demonstrate employment or company registration, funds to support them for one year, and pay a R4,500 application fee.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers a temporary residency visa called Rentista. Application fees are low and allow visitors to stay for up to two years. Successful applications must meet various requirements – including a demonstration of a monthly income of R43,000.
Croatia
Croatia is a popular tourism destination for South Africans, and some options are available for those wanting to stay longer and work remotely. You’ll need to meet Croatia’s visa entrance requirements for South Africans and then submit an application for a temporary stay that meets specific requirements. You can expect to pay upwards of R3,500 in submission and administration fees.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic offers an entrepreneurship visa for those “who intend to run a business or be self-employed, statutory organ or member of a statutory organ of a company”. There are several hoops for applicants to jump through – including an in-person consulate interview and proof of financial means. This allows digital nomads and other freelancers to remain in the country for up to one year.
Dubai
It’s possible to live and work from Dubai for up to one year under its new virtual working programme. Applicants must have health insurance valid in the UAE, employees must submit proof of employment of R85,000 per month, and business owners proof of a company one year or older with a minimum income of R85,000.
Estonia
Estonia’s digital nomad visa allows successful applicants to remain in that country for up to one year. Applicants must have valid health insurance, supply proof of at least R60,000, and pay visa fees of R1,700.
Georgia
South Africans have for some time been able to enter Georgia without a visa and remain there for up to one year. Although Georgia launched its Remotely From Georgia digital nomad programme during the pandemic, this appears not to have any significant benefits or changes to the existing relationship with South African visitors.
Germany
Germany offers a three-month residence permit to self-employed workers and freelancers, often called the German freelance visa, that can be extended by up to three years. South Africans must apply for a visa at a local German consulate, travel to the country, and then submit additional paperwork for a residence permit.
Greece
Greece now offers a new digital nomad visa that allows people, including the self-employed, to live and work in that country for up to one year. Applicants must submit proof of at least R60,000 income per month. If the first year goes well, digital nomads can apply for a digital nomad residence permit valid for two years.
Malta
Malta launched a Nomad Residence Permit that allows digital nomads to live and work within the archipelago for up to one year. The permit is open to people who typically require a visa to enter Malta. It requires proof of a gross monthly income of R46,000, valid travel documents, health insurance, a background check, and a property rental agreement.
Mauritius
Mauritius offers a Premium Visa to encourage foreigners to visit the island as long-stay tourists. The visa is valid for one year, is renewable, and costs nothing. Successful applicants are not eligible to enter the Mauritius labour market, primary income and profits should be outside the country, and they must supply basic documentary evidence to support the application.
Mexico
Mexico’s temporary resident visa allows successful applicants to live and work remotely in that country for up to one year. There are several requirements to be successful – including demonstrating economic solvency of R725,000 earned over the previous 12 months or a monthly income of R44,000.
Norway
Norway allows digital nomads to live in that country for up to two years under its independent contractor visa. Applicants must provide proof of a business outside of Norway and earn at least R610,000 per year, among other requirements.
Portugal
Portugal’s D7 Residence visa is intended for those who wish to obtain a residence permit in Portugal. It allows successful applicants to remain in Portugal for one year, can be renewed for successive periods of two years, and can be converted into a permanent residence permit five years later.
26 Aug