Working Remotely? These Countries Are Offering Visas for Longer Stays.

The idea of combining work with travel has changed dramatically over the years, in part thanks to remote work becoming more common. (In 2022, more than a third of U.S. employees did at least some of their work at home on workdays.) A number of countries see the potential of remote workers to positively impact their communities and economies, and now more than 20 offer visas specifically for these work-from-anywhere travelers—a sign of how remote work–friendly the world has increasingly become.

Whether you’re looking to explore the Caribbean or Europe while you bring in an income, here are seven attractive places offering visas for those who want to work remotely.

1. Spain

In 2023, Spain started rolling out its digital nomad visa for foreigners planning to live in Spain while working remotely. The visa is valid for up to a year, but it can be renewed. Check the website for application requirements, which include at least three years of experience in the applicant’s field of work. Remote workers must make at least 200 percent of the monthly Spanish national minimum wage (approximately $2,800 per month or $33,700 per year).

Why you should stay in Spain

Tapas bars, beach trips, driving down the Costa Brava—Spain is a destination full of dreamy vignettes, especially for U.S.-based remote workers who can explore in the morning thanks to the time difference. While AFAR named Mallorca one of the Europe’s must-visit places in 2023, remote workers may want to stay in Gran Canaria for their stint in Spain. Olga Hannonen, a researcher at the University of Eastern Finland, studied how digital nomads were affecting Gran Canaria on the local level, interviewing stakeholders from restaurant owners to local residents. In the case study of the island, one surprise finding was how accepted digital nomads were by locals.

“Our respondents said that, ‘Oh, we became friends with digital nomads,’ or that they have very positive experiences with digital nomads,” she tells AFAR. “That’s something that has not appeared in other studies [in places like Bali].”

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2. Mauritius

Mauritius offers a travel visa for digital nomads hoping to stay more than 180 days in a calendar year, offering up to a year-long period of stay with the option for renewal. While there is an approved list of countries whose citizens can apply before entry to the country for the visa, those not on the list can still travel to the country on a tourist visa and then apply from within the country. Applicants need to prove they make a minimum amount of $1,500 per month.

Why you should stay in Mauritius

Located around 100 miles from Madagascar, Mauritius is full of nature (it’s where the now-extinct dodo was from) and scenic coastlines. This country off the southeastern coast of Africa is home to layered sand dune formations called the Seven Coloured Earths, a rum distillery in the village of Chamarel, and a diverse population that practices a number of religions and cultural traditions.

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3. Croatia

Those interested in Croatia’s digital nomad visa can submit an online application. The visa is valid for a year and cannot be extended. However, travelers can apply again for another visa as soon as six months after the expiration of the previous digital nomad visa. Digital nomads need to provide proof that they make at least $2,800 on a monthly basis or have a minimum of $33,200 already available in their bank account.

Why you should stay in Croatia

This country has been offering its digital nomad visa for a few years now, giving remote workers more opportunity to see its Game of Thrones settings without the crowds. And because Croatia became a part of Europe’s Schengen Zone in January 2023, having the visa means free movement in the region. Plus, the benefits of this visa also extend to close family members of the visa holder.

Writer and digital nomad Steve Tsentserensky particularly recommends Zagreb: “Zagreb has a number of things that appeal to me. So the size of the city is one thing. It’s like 800-ish thousand people. It’s not particularly big, it’s not the smallest either. So it’s this nice Goldilock zone for a city,” he tells AFAR. “I find it to be a beautiful city also. It’s got Austria-Hungarian architectural vibes, and I find that there’s a lot of nature here. There’s a mountain right behind the city that I have access to.”

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4. Barbados

In 2020, Barbados announced the introduction of the Barbados Welcome Stamp, a visa that allows digital nomads to stay in the Caribbean island for 12 months. Interested travelers who have location-independent work can apply for the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp online. One of the program’s requirements is that applicants must make an annual income of at least $50,000 over the duration of the Welcome Stamp.

Why you should stay in Barbados

There’s plenty to experience during a year in the country: Take an ATV to the countryside or learn about its reputation for rum. Shorter stints in the country offer hotel stays that range from unique experiences to total relaxation. Plus, from Barbados you have easy access to other nations in the Caribbean.

Photo by Alexander_Magnum/Shutterstock

5. Iceland

In 2020, Iceland released its digital nomad visa, making this Atlantic island an accessible remote work location for non-EFTA/EEA teleworkers for up to six months. Applications must be mailed to the Directorate of Immigration, and visas are only valid for 90 to 180 days. Applicants must either be an employee of a foreign company or a self-employed worker. Additionally, digital nomads must prove they make a monthly income of at least $7,300.

Why you should stay in Iceland

There are several aspects that make Iceland appealing: English is widely spoken, and its geographic location can accommodate time differences between the United States and eastern Europe. Iceland also boasts a natural landscape that, according to AFAR contributor Ali Wunderman, “extends well beyond the bounds of the waterfalls and beaches that repeatedly appear on your friends’ social media profiles.”

Remote workers, no matter if they’re visiting for the first time or consider themselves professional Ring Road drivers, should especially think about timing their visa to maximize the time they have in Iceland. While September and mid-April are the best months for northern lights chasers, specific festivals occur throughout the year: Reykjavík’s Art Festival is held in June, while the Reykjavík Film Festival starts in September—so look for any events that might strike your fancy.

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6. Curaçao

Remote workers from across the globe are eligible to apply for the @Home in Curacao program, which allows you to stay for six months with the option for an extension of six more months (totaling a maximum of one year in Curaçao). Digital nomad visa applicants don’t have a minimum income requirement to prove through this program.

Why you should stay in Curaçao

Curaçao is well-loved for its candy-colored Dutch architecture and diverse residents who speak Papiamento—a Portuguese-based Creole. The southwest Caribbean island has no shortage of ways to stay active beyond remote working, including street art walking tours and an open-air food court serving authentic and affordable Curaçaoan cuisine.

This part of the ABC islands is known for its pristine beaches (with nearly 40 to choose from), but travelers can also learn about the region’s history in the trans-Atlantic slave trade through Curaçao’s museums and monuments.

Photo by Derek D. Galon/Shutterstock

7. Dominica

The Caribbean island of Dominica offers the Work in Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa, which is available for up to 18 months. The program is available to any location-independent individual over 18 years of age who earns more than $50,000 annually.

Why you should stay in Dominica

Coined the Nature Island of the Caribbean thanks to its range of mountains and rain forests, Dominica offers long-term visitors the opportunity to explore its natural beauty, including emerald natural pools, national parks, and a swimmable coral reef that emits volcanic bubbles, called Champagne Reef.

There’s plenty to get excited about when it comes to this island, from new luxury resorts to the country’s goal of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation by 2030.