Digital nomad visas: Which countries currently offer them?

The rise of remote work has untethered millions of professionals from traditional office locations — and digital nomad visas have emerged as a highly desirable response.

But where exactly are digital nomad visas currently on offer — and which countries have them in the pipeline?

In this article, we’ll cover the full list of countries that currently offer digital nomad visa programs, and the key criteria for obtaining them. We’ll also look at some of the countries planning to introduce digital nomad visas — and take a closer look at some of the compliance issues you may potentially face. So let’s jump straight in.

What is a digital nomad visa?

While some country’s definitions may differ, a digital nomad visa (DNV) generally allows foreign nationals to live in a country while working remotely for an employer based abroad. These programs typically cater to remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who earn income outside the host country.

While traditional tourist visas often prohibit work — and long-term residency visas come with complex requirements — DNVs bridge the gap by offering:

• Legal residency for between six and 24 months (renewable in some cases)
• Explicit permission to work remotely
• A simpler application process than for work or business visas

There are limits, though. Most DNVs typically restrict individuals from taking local employment, and the associated tax obligations can vary widely by country.

So, which countries currently offer digital nomad visas?

Here's a breakdown of countries that have active digital nomad visa (or equivalent) schemes in place:

Europe

North, South, and Central America

Africa

Asia

Note that requirements, costs, and renewability can vary widely by country — and often depend on the nationality of the applicant.

Which countries are considering digital nomad visas?

Several countries are actively preparing digital nomad visa legislation, or have announced some intent to launch such programs in the future. These include:

Japan: Introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa pilot in April 2025 for high earners (~$70,000 per year), valid for six months.

South Korea: The "Workcation Visa" is in legislative discussions and may launch in late 2025.

Turkey: A Digital Nomad Visa is expected by the end of 2025, initially targeting select nationalities.

Serbia: The Serbian government has confirmed development of a remote work visa program, although no official dates have yet been confirmed.

Argentina: A proposed remote worker visa has been under review since 2023.

Montenegro: A digital nomad visa bill was passed in 2022 but full rollout is still pending.

What should you do as an employer?

If you’re considering offering digital nomadism as a benefit, or you already do, here are some key things to consider:

Compliance. A digital nomad visa doesn't always mean exemption from payroll, tax, or labor law risks.

Tax implications. In some countries, workers may become tax residents despite foreign employer status.

Misclassification. Hiring digital nomads as contractors without understanding local labor law could create compliance risks.

Permanent establishment risk. Having an employee abroad could unintentionally trigger corporate tax obligations.

As a result, it’s important to weigh each scenario carefully on a case-by-case basis — and it’s especially important to consult with global employment experts.

See also: How to manage digital nomad workers as an employer

How Remote can help

In many cases, digital nomad visas have evolved from a fringe idea to a key part of global mobility strategy. They can help unlock retention, flexibility, and a competitive edge among your workforce — but only if implemented with care.

If your company has international talent, Remote can offer immigration guidance, analyzing individual cases to identify the best immigration options — whether that be a digital nomad visa or something else. 

In certain countries, we can also provide employment verification documentation for employees applying for a digital nomad visa.

To learn more about how we can help you and employees navigate immigration and visa concerns — and make global hiring simple and headache-free — speak to one of our friendly experts today.