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For a few, ‘working remotely’ is a full-time lifestyle. You’ve seen them: backpackers hunched over laptops while everyone else is out ticking off tourist hotspots.
Millions of working professionals are ditching the 9-to-5 office grind for a more relaxed weekday. And no, it’s not a post-pandemic hangover. Instead, we've officially entered the digital nomad visa era of work. It’s basically a legal pass to swap your office cubicle for a beachside cafe, mountain valley or fancy European city square while still clocking into work.
What’s a Digital Nomad Visa?
Think of it as a temporary residence permit for living in one country while working remotely for a company based in another country. Digital nomad visas are valid for anything over an year.
How is it different from a tourist visa?
A tourist visa usually gives you a shorter stay (typically up to 90 days). And you're technically not allowed to work on a tourist visa. Digital nomad visas, on the other hand, are designed for longer stays and let you work remotely from the host country. Some countries even throw in perks such as tax exemptions.
Who’s eligible?
The golden rule is that your pay check needs to come from a different country.
So – working professionals, freelancers and business owners qualify. It’s just that their business should be registered outside the country where they want to live. You generally can’t use a digital nomad visa to go job-hunting locally.
You’ll also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself. Then comes the paperwork: a valid passport, proof of remote work, proof of income, accommodation details and other supporting documents. Many countries let you apply online; others require a trip to the nearest embassy.
Some 70 countries now offer some version of a nomad visa, and here’s what’s open for Indians:
Europe
1. Slovenia
Launched on 21 November 2025, Slovenia’s nomad visa lets eligible remote workers stay for up to one year, provided they work for a foreign-based company. The visa is non-renewable, so you’ll need to spend at least six months outside the country before reapplying. And yes, you can bring your family along.
2. Croatia
Croatia lets you take your remote job abroad for a ride for up to 18 months. While in the country, you need a minimum monthly income of €3,622.50 (some four lakh Indian rupees).
3. Germany
Germany doesn’t have a dedicated digital nomad visa, but remote workers can apply for a Freelance Visa or a residence permit for self-employment. The visa costs €75 and is initially valid for one year. It can be extended for up to three years, though.
4. Greece
Greece asks for a minimum monthly income of €3,500, medical certificate, police clearance and a confirmed return ticket. The visa costs €75 and lasts up to 12 months.
5. Italy
Italy’s visa is for highly skilled remote workers, including freelancers, consultants and employees. You’ll need an annual income of around €25,000, a health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage, six months of prior work experience and an employer declaration. The visa, as such, costs $125 and is valid for one year.
6. Portugal
Portugal’s temporary visa lets remote workers stay for one year with multiple entries, but it can’t be extended or used to apply for residency. Applicants must earn at least €3,280 a month (but this keeps getting revised).
7. Spain
Spain lets digital nomads take on local work too. But there’s a catch: it can make up no more than 20% of their total activity. Applicants need to meet financial requirements equal to at least 200% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage (approximately 3 lakhs, as of now). The visa lasts one year and costs ₹8,021 for applicants over 12.
8. Estonia
Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa is open to freelancers, employees and business owners earning at least €4,500 a month. Depending on how long you plan to stay, you can choose between a short-stay C visa or a long-stay D visa. The visa costs €120.
9. Malta
Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit lets remote workers live on the island of the Mediterranian sea. The permit costs €300, plus €27.50 for the residence card, and is valid for one year with annual renewals.
10. Romania
Romania’s D/AS visa allows remote workers to live in the country while earning from outside it. Applicants need to earn at least three times Romania’s average gross monthly salary for the six months before applying and throughout the visa period. The visa costs €120.
Asia
1. Indonesia
Indonesia doesn’t officially call it a digital nomad visa, but Indian remote workers can use the E33G visa to work there for one year. You’ll need a minimum bank balance of $2,000 and an annual income of $60,000. The visa costs 7,000,000 IDR and takes only around seven to 14 days to process.
2. Thailand
Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is basically the five-year seasonal pass of digital nomad visas. It’s multiple-entry, with stays of up to 180 days per entry, plus the option to extend for another 180 days annually for around 20,000 THB.
3. Philippines
The Philippines lets digital nomads work there for up to one year, with the option to extend for another year. Fees range from $65 to $145, depending on the visa duration.
4. Taiwan
Taiwan launched its six-month digital nomad visa in 2025 and extended it to two years in January 2026. The visa starts at six months, and applicants need to earn at least $20,000.
5. South Korea
South Korea’s F-1-D Digital Nomad (Workcation) Visa lets foreign nationals live there while working remotely. It’s a multiple-entry visa, valid for three years.
Africa
1. Mauritius
Mauritius’ Premium Travel Visa is a multi-entry option for digital nomads, allowing stays of six months to one year, with the option to renew. The visa itself is free.
2. Seychelles
Seychelles’ Workation Retreat Program lets freelancers, entrepreneurs and professionals employed outside the country stay for one year. You’ll need proof of employment or income, accommodation, a return ticket and health insurance. The visa costs €45.
North America & The Caribbean
1. Bahamas
The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) lets remote workers live and work there for up to one year with multiple entries. The biggest flex is that digital nomads don’t have to pay additional income or other taxes during their stay.
2. Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa is open to all nationalities, provided applicants work for an employer outside the country. The income bar is $3,000 a month. The visa costs $100, lasts one year and can be renewed and extended for another year.
Oceania
New Zealand
As of July 2026, New Zealand lets visitors on a Visitor Visa or NZeTA work remotely for employers or clients outside the country. If you stay for less than 92 days in a 12-month period, you may be exempt from New Zealand tax if your income is taxed elsewhere; longer stays can trigger tax from day one. A Visitor Visa allows around nine months.
Last verified: August 2026. Visa fee are subject to change based on availability, booking dates and airlines.