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There is a common belief that digital nomadism is a lifestyle driven by spontaneity and a desire for adventure, which, while not necessarily untrue, is far from the whole story.
Managing your life, work, and everything in between from a completely different country is a process that requires time, patience, and jumping through endless bureaucratic hoops, many of which come unexpectedly.
So while half of all global destinations now welcome remote workers with open arms, it’s worth noting that no two Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) programs are the same.
Therefore, UNWTO recently released a letter analyzing the 54 DNVs currently offered worldwide, along with their requirements.
Of the countries that have offered adequate information on the policies of their respective visa programs, we have chosen the five that are currently the easiest to obtain based on criteria such as processing time, income requirements, duration, fees and taxes.
Albania
Launched in the first half of 2022, Albania’s Unique Permit Program is without a doubt one of the easiest visas for digital nomads available today.
The visa is offered to all foreigners who are self-employed or employed by a company outside Albania, including US residents.
At the time of writing this article, there are no specific minimum income requirements.
However, anecdotal evidence shows that as long as your income is above the minimum salary in Albania (currently ~40,000 ALL/month or 410 USD/month), your application will be considered.
The application can be submitted online and the processing time varies from 15 days (for a single-entry visa) to 30 days (for a multiple-entry visa), while the required fees are $64 and $107 respectively.
Once obtained, the visa is valid for one year, with the option to extend for another five years.
Seychelles
The Seychelles Visitors’ Workcation Permit is offered to freelancers, self-employed people and people who work for a company abroad.
The application is submitted online and may take up to 4 weeks to be assessed. Filing requires a modest fee of $49, and once the visa is obtained, the holder is completely tax-exempt.
The document is valid for up to one year, although extensions are possible and easily granted as long as all the above steps have been carefully taken.
The Bahamas
The crown jewel of the Caribbean also happens to be one of the easiest countries to get a digital nomad visa in.
The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Permit Program offers remote workers the opportunity to live on the island for up to one year, with the option to extend for an additional three years.
There is no minimum income requirement and visa processing time is as fast as 5 days.
The only potential downside to this program is that it may be a bit more expensive compared to its counterparts on today’s list.
The initial application fee is a modest $25; However, once the visa is approved, applicants are expected to pay $1000 for themselves, and $500 for each dependent.
Considering the effortless application process and the kind of life that awaits you on the idyllic island, the $1,000 fee seems relatively reasonable.
Argentina
Living in this beautiful South American country has never been easier – with the short-term residence permit for digital nomads offering remote workers the opportunity to live in Argentina for up to a year.
The entire application process is online and you can expect a response within 2-4 weeks.
Plus, you don’t have to meet the minimum monthly income requirements and the total cost is about $200, which is pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of things.
That said, you are expected to pay the same taxes as all Argentine residents, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your cross-country excursions.
Saint Lucia
If the idea of working from a dreamy Caribbean beach intrigues you, you’ll also want to consider Saint Lucia as your next favorite destination.
The Live It program launched in 2021 welcomes foreigners to live on the island for up to a year.
There are no minimum income requirements to qualify for the visa; However, once you spend more than 183 days in Saint Lucia, you are considered a tax resident and must pay accordingly.
That’s really the only downside to the entire process, as applications can be submitted online, take just five days to be reviewed, and cost a modest $46-$70 depending on whether you apply for a single or multiple submission.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
