Thinking About Becoming A ‘Digital Nomad’? Your Journey Starts Here.

The era of remote work has allowed many employees to turn any environment into their office for the day. That freedom has led to the creation of a new class of worker: the “digital nomad.”

Making it official

During the pandemic, working from home became routine across many industries. Five years later, some remote workers have decided to trade their home office for a spot in the sand on a tropical beach.

And thus the era of the digital nomad was born.

But it’s not as easy as simply booking your flight and packing up your laptop. NerdWallet travel expert Sally French said it’s important for any prospective digital nomad to cover all the legal bases. For Americans considering one of many popular destinations around the globe, that involves obtaining a temporary residency permit … often referred to as a digital nomad visa.

“Especially as COVID-19 enabled the rise of remote work, digital nomad visas have become increasingly attractive,” French explained.

Mexico, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands are among the countries that offer such permits.

Know the rules

Even though obtaining a digital nomad visa can be a pretty straightforward process, there are a few things to consider before taking the first step. If you’re thinking about it, French recommends a basic web search for “digital nomad visa” and whichever country you’re considering.

From there, you’ll need to think about:

• Cost: The application process usually costs $100 or less, but expenses like health insurance, transaction fees, and shipping costs can add up.
• Time: In some cases, a visa might be granted in under two weeks, but you should be prepared for possible delays in the process.
• Taxes: Digital nomads can face some complex tax liabilities, so it’s a good idea to seek a knowledgeable pro for advice.

Chris Agee November 9th, 2024

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