8 Digital Nomad Visas That Lead to Permanent Residency

If you’re looking for digital nomads that lead to permanent residency, then you’ve come to the right place. 

With over 34 digital nomad visas available, it can be overwhelming and a bit confusing about the benefits of each. Some digital nomad visas only allow you to live in the country for one year, while other digital nomad visas lead to permanent residency. 

To clear the air about the digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency, we’ve created a specialized list. 

In this article, you’ll find the visa options that will land you on a path to permanent residency in a foreign country. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa allows remote workers to temporarily live in a foreign country. The point of a digital nomad visa is that the applicant earns their income working for a company or clients located abroad.

The visa provides a temporary residence permit that can sometimes be renewed. The validity of these visas can range from six months to two years; it all depends on the country offering the visa! 

In this article, we are including more visa options than just the specific digital nomad visas. This is because there are visa opportunities perfect for digital nomads, but they are not specified as digital nomad visas. 

Who is Eligible for a Digital Nomad Visa?

Remote workers who meet the minimum income requirement are eligible for apply for a digital nomad visa. 

There are some digital nomad visas with no income requirement, while others have requirements that are at least double the national minimum wage. 

As long as you can support yourself in the country with your remotely earned income without relying on the country’s social resources, you’re most likely eligible. 

Why Permanent Residency is Ideal for Digital Nomads

Some digital nomads, especially those looking to improve their lifestyle by relocating to a new country, search for digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency. 

As a permanent resident in a country, you have the right to live, work, and study in that country indefinitely. Essentially, a permanent resident has all of the rights as a citizen, except that they cannot vote or hold a national passport. 

It’s important to mention that some countries require permanent residents to live and be present in the country for at least six months out of the year. Otherwise, they could lose permanent resident status.

There are many reasons why a digital nomad would want permanent residency in another country. Having permanent residency is a great option, from the quality of life to tax rates to setting up their children for success and wanting to have access to the country even if borders close. 

Oftentimes, after obtaining permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship. However, this can be a long and bureaucratic process. 

Digital Nomad Visas that Lead to Permanent Residency

There are currently four visas ideal for digital nomads that can lead to permanent residency abroad. 

Armenia

While this visa option is not necessarily a digital nomad visa, Armenia offers an interesting opportunity to self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs. 

The scheme of this visa is for a digital nomad to register a business in Armenia, very similar to a sole proprietorship or LLC, in exchange for temporary or permanent residency. 

Having a business in Armenia still allows the freelancer to work with clients worldwide. However, they will be subject to paying corporate tax in Armenia. Fortunately, the tax rates are favorable. 

Since there is no minimum stay requirement in Armenia, digital nomads can use this opportunity simply to diversify their lifestyles and businesses. 

After three years of holding residency in Armenia, residents can apply for citizenship and obtain an Armenian passport. 

This visa also allows family reunification, which allows applicants to bring their spouses and dependents. 

Learn more about the requirements and how to apply for the Armenia digital nomad visa and get permanent residency. 

Greece

Greece’s digital nomad visa was introduced in 2021 and has gained a ton of attention from digital nomads worldwide. 

The minimum income requirement for this visa is just 3,500€ per month, and you’ll need proof that you work remotely. 

Initially, the visa lasts for one year. However, if you are determined to make Greece your home and apply for permanent residency, then you can apply for a two-year residence permit. 

The residence permit is renewable if you still meet the digital nomad visa requirements. After legally living in Greece for five years, you can apply for permanent residency. 

If you live in Greece for seven years continually, speak Greek, and pass citizenship tests, you can obtain Greek citizenship. 

Learn more about the visa requirements and how you can apply for a residence permit with the Greece digital nomad visa.

Italy

Italy started accepting applications for their digital nomad visa in April 2024, providing an excellent opportunity for non-EU nationals to come and live in this beautiful country. After five years of living in Italy full-time and passing an A2 Italian language test, you may apply for permanent residency.

Qualified applicants must be considered highly skilled individuals and earn at least 28,000€ per year (or 2x the national minimum wage). They may also include family members on their application to come and live in Italy with them.

The application process must be done at an Italian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. It can take a couple of months to secure an appointment and receive an answer about your application, so patience is key!

Learn more about the visa requirements and how you can apply for permanent residency through the Italy digital nomad visa.

Latvia

Latvia’s digital nomad visa leads to permanent residency after just two years. This is the fastest track to permanent residency a digital nomad can get in the EU!

The minimum income requirement is 2.5x the national average, which is €3,344 per month right now. Applicants must also be employed by a company or have a self-employed business established in one of the OECD countries to be eligible for this visa.

The visa application process takes place online and has a €60 visa fee. You can request expedited processing for €120, too.

After five years as a permanent resident in Latvia, you may apply for citizenship.

Learn more about the visa requirements and how to apply for permanent residency with the Latvia digital nomad visa.

Mexico

While Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa isn’t necessarily a digital nomad visa, it is a great opportunity for remote workers. 

With minimal requirements, digital nomads can obtain a one-year residence permit, which is renewable for up to four years. 

This is excellent news because after legally living in Mexico for four years, you can apply for permanent residency. After just five years, you can apply for citizenship through naturalization.  

The monetary requirements for Mexico’s digital nomad visa are the following:

• Maintain a bank balance of $43,000 for 12 months
• Earn $2,595 per month for the last six months
• Own a property in Mexico valued over $346,000

The application process can be lengthy, as you’ll have to visit a Mexican consulate or embassy, but it’s completely worth the time! 

Learn more about the visa requirements and how to apply for the Mexico digital nomad visa.

Norway

When you are self-employed and have a contract with a Norwegian client stating that they will pay at least the national minimum wage (€35,719 per year), you can apply for the Self-Employment Visa.

While this is a very selective and sometimes difficult visa for digital nomads to obtain, it is one of the digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency. After three years of legally living in Norway for three years, you may apply for permanent residency if you meet the requirements.

The residence permit is issued for two years and must be renewed after that.

Learn more about the visa requirements and how to apply for the Norway digital nomad visa.

Portugal

One of the most popular digital nomad visas in Europe is Portugal. Introduced at the end of 2022, Portugal is one of the digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency.

The minimum income requirement for Portugal’s digital nomad visa is just €3,040 per month, making it one of the cheapest digital nomad visas in Europe.

The initial visa allows digital nomads to stay in Portugal for four months. However, during these months, you will apply for your two-year residence permit after signing a lease or purchasing a property in Portugal. 

If you meet the minimum stay requirements associated with the residence permit, it can be renewed for an additional three years. After five years of legally living in Portugal, residents can apply for permanent residency. 

If you wish to become a Portuguese citizen, then you can apply through naturalization after living in the country for five years. Keep in mind that you will have to pass language and citizenship tests. 

Learn more about the visa requirements and how to apply for the Portugal digital nomad visa and put yourself on a path to permanent residency.  

Spain

The long-awaited Spain digital nomad visa is finally available and has so many perks, including being one of the digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency.

While the initial visa lasts for just one year, visa holders may apply for a residence permit within the first year. The residence permit will be active for three years and is renewable.

After living in Spain legally for five years, you can apply for permanent residency.

This is an excellent opportunity for digital nomads and those who work remotely with families who wish to have permanent residency in the European Union.

Learn more about the visa requirements and how to apply for the Spain digital nomad visa.

Relocate to a New Country While Working Remotely with Nomads Embassy

Are you ready to diversify your lifestyle and set yourself up in a brand new country while working remotely? 

It’s never been easier than with these digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency! 

Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads is here to connect digital nomads with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to assist them in their visa applications. 

Through our secure and innovative platform, you can receive your digital nomad visa faster and stress-free. 

Interested in discovering how obtaining permanent residency through a digital nomad visa looks for your situation and lifestyle? 

Schedule a call with our immigration lawyers today! 

Simply visit the individual visa article found in the menu at the top of the page and complete the contact form.