Imagine trading your typical nine-to-five office view of a blank white wall for sunsets at a beachside cafe in the Bahamas or enjoying tapas in Spain. It sounds enticing, doesn’t it? Many countries now offer Digital Nomad Visas, catering to remote workers worldwide. Besides the freedom to work from picturesque locations, these visas allow individuals to immerse themselves in different cultures, cuisines, and languages while they work. Several nations worldwide have introduced digital nomad visa programs for Indian passport holders, making the dream of working from a vineyard not so distant after all.
What defines a digital nomad, and which visa category applies to them? Simply put, a digital nomad is someone whose job isn’t tied to a specific location, enabling them to work remotely from anywhere globally. These visas grant legal permission to work remotely in a foreign country for a designated period. They may be known by various names such as remote work visas, freelance visas, or digital nomad visas, each with specific eligibility criteria regarding permissible work types, duration of stay, and minimum income thresholds. Ultimately, these visas facilitate remote work opportunities for a specified duration in the host country.
Here are countries that offer digital nomad or remote work visas to Indian passport holders:
Indonesia
Photo: Indonesia Tourism
Indonesia may not label it as a digital nomad visa, but Indian nationals can reside and work in the country using the E33G visa for up to one year. To obtain this visa, applicants must demonstrate financial capability with a minimum bank balance of $2,000 (approximately INR 1,66,255) and provide financial statements indicating an annual income of $60,000 (about INR 49,87,665), along with proof of employment with an organisation based outside Indonesia.
Cost of the visa: $150 (about INR 12,469) + Rp2,700,000 (about INR 14,088)
Length of permitted stay: One year
Minimum stay requirement: A maximum of 90 days
Processing time: 7-14 days
Germany
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While Germany does not provide a specific visa for digital nomads working remotely, it does offer an alternative known as the Freelance Visa. To qualify for the freelance visa, applicants must belong to one of the recognised liberal professions such as creative, medical, advisory, teaching, or technical fields. They must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency for one year (typically a minimum monthly income of approximately €1280 or around INR 1,15,772), provide proof of freelance work, furnish evidence of qualifications (such as a university or higher education degree from a recognised institution), possess health insurance coverage, and show proof of residency, along with other required documents. Once all necessary documents are assembled, applicants should complete the application form and schedule an appointment at the German embassy. It’s important to note that all documents and forms must be translated into German, and it’s advisable to keep two sets of copies with you.
Cost of the visa: €75 (about INR 6,757)
Length of permitted stay: One year (can be extended up to three years)
Minimum stay requirement: Six months
Processing time for application: 3-4 months
Croatia
Photo: The Turquoise Collection
The Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Residence Permit enables individuals to reside and work in Croatia as digital nomads for a duration ranging from six months to one year. This permit functions akin to a temporary residency rather than a conventional visa. Eligibility criteria include being employed, freelancing, or self-employed with clients outside of Croatia. Besides a valid passport, applicants must demonstrate a monthly income equivalent to at least €2870 (approximately INR 2,59,580), possess health insurance, provide a clean criminal record from their home country, show a lease agreement or booking confirmation for accommodation in Croatia, and complete an application form, which can be submitted online or at a Croatian embassy or local police station near their temporary residence in Croatia. Upon approval, applicants must register their temporary Croatian address within 30 days, or within 3 days if entering the country immediately after approval.
Cost of the visa: Applying through a diplomatic mission or consular post incurs a fee of €55.74 (approximately INR 5,047) for temporary residence, along with additional costs of €93 (INR 8,421) for a long-term visa or €41.14 (INR 3,725) for a residence card.
If applying in person at a local police station in Croatia, the fees are €46.45 (around INR 4,201) for temporary residence. Additional charges include €9.29 (INR 841) for administration fees related to the biometric residence permit and €31.25 (INR 2,829) for the biometric residence card.
Length of permitted stay: Up to one year and non-renewable
Minimum stay requirement: None
Processing time for application: Following submission, you will receive an automated confirmation and subsequent communication from your assigned case handler.
Mauritius
Photo: Mauritius Tourism
Officially termed the Mauritius Premium Travel Visa, this visa permits digital nomads to reside and work in the country for up to six months initially, extendable to one year, with the possibility of renewal. Alongside a valid passport, applicants must provide evidence of income, demonstrating a minimum monthly income of $1,500 (approximately INR 1,24,691) for individuals and an additional $500 (around INR 41,563) per month for each dependent child, proof of employment outside Mauritius, and documentation verifying accommodation, travel plans, and health insurance coverage.
Cost of visa: Free
Length of permitted stay: Six months up to an year and is renewable
Bahamas
Photo: Getty Images
The digital nomad visa in the Bahamas, also known as the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS), permits remote workers to reside and work in this tropical destination for up to one year with multiple entries allowed. During their stay, individuals are exempt from additional income or other taxes. Requirements for the BEATS visa include a valid passport, evidence of employment outside the Bahamas, proof of financial means, medical insurance coverage, and a clear criminal record. Indian passport holders must also apply for a visitor visa to enter the Bahamas.
Cost of visa: The initial fee is $25, equivalent to approximately INR 2,078. After visa approval, applicants must pay a permit fee of $1,000 (roughly INR 83,129) plus an additional $500 (about INR 41,564) per dependent. For remote workers, the fee increases to $1,000 (about INR 83,129).
Length of visa: One year (Can be renewed twice and extended for three years)
Processing time for visa: 5 days
Greece
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Greece offers a digital nomad visa accessible to all non-EU residents. To apply, you will need to provide documentation such as an employment contract with a company based outside of Greece or evidence of independent work, proof of income (with a minimum monthly salary of €3500 or approximately INR 3,15,945), confirmation of accommodation in Greece, valid health insurance, a cover letter, a medical certificate, a Police Clearance Certificate attested by the Ministry of External Affairs (New Delhi), and a confirmed return flight ticket. Once you have gathered all necessary documents, you can complete the visa application either online or in person at the embassy and submit your application.
Cost of the visa: €75 (about INR 6,757)
Length of permitted stay: One year
Processing time for application: Two weeks to a month
Portugal
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Non-EU/EEA residents have the opportunity to apply for Portugal’s digital nomad visa. This temporary visa allows remote workers to stay in Portugal for up to one year with multiple entries permitted. It should be noted, however, that this visa cannot be extended or used as a pathway to residency. Alternatively, individuals can consider the long-term visa option, valid for 4 months with two entries allowed, which upon arrival allows applicants to apply for a two-year residence permit. Requirements for the temporary visa include being over 18 years old, proof of remote work or, for independent workers, a contract or documentation confirming services provided, a clean criminal record, proof of permanent residence in their home country, evidence of accommodation in Portugal, and proof of a monthly income of €3,280 (approximately INR 2,96,180).
Cost of visa: €90 (INR 8,126)
Length of permitted stay: 1 year
Italy
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Italy’s digital nomad visa enables traveling remote workers to reside and work in the country for a full year. In addition to a valid passport, applicants must provide two recent color passport-sized photos, a fully filled visa application form, a declaration from their employer confirming no criminal convictions, proof of an annual income of €28,000 (approximately INR 24,82,222), health insurance valid for medical treatment in Italy, evidence of accommodation, and six months of prior work experience in their intended field as a nomadic worker. An appointment at the Italian consulate in New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata is required to initiate the application process.
Cost of the visa: $125 (about INR 10,458)
Length of permitted stay: One year (can be renewed annually)
Processing time: 1-3 months
Seychelles
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Named the Workation Retreat Program, Seychelles offers a one-year visa tailored for remote workers, encompassing freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals employed outside the nation. To apply for this visa, applicants must furnish proof of employment (self-employed individuals can provide bank statements as proof), demonstrate income sources, show accommodation arrangements (e.g., hotel booking or rental agreement), present a return ticket, and possess health insurance. In addition to these documents, applicants need to apply for a Visitors Permit at least 60 days before arrival and obtain a Travel Authorisation, both of which can be completed online.
Cost of visa: €10 (about INR 903)
Length of Visa: 1 year
Visa processing time: A few weeks
Spain
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Spain provides a digital nomad visa designed for self-employed individuals or those employed remotely by non-Spanish organisations. Digital nomads can also engage in local work, provided it constitutes no more than 20% of their overall professional activity. Eligibility criteria include holding an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a university or demonstrating three years of relevant work experience. Applicants must submit a valid passport, a clean criminal record, evidence of employment outside Spain, proof of contractual arrangements (if self-employed), proof of permanent residency in their home country, and proof of health insurance as part of the visa application process.
Cost of visa: INR 7,125 for people aged over 12, INR 3,638 for children of age six to 11 and free for children aged five or under
Length of visa: 1 year
Processing time for visa: 10 days
Costa Rica
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Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa to individuals from any country, on the condition that they work remotely for entities outside of Costa Rica and have a monthly income of at least $3,000 (approximately INR 2,49,397), or $4,000 (around INR 3,32,529) if applying with dependents. Alongside a valid passport, applicants must submit bank statements and complete an online application form. It’s important to note that all documents and forms must be translated into Spanish.
Cost of visa: $100 (about INR 8,313)
Length of visa: 1 year (can be renewed and extended for an additional year)
Processing time for visa: 15 days
