Latin America wide opens its doors for digital nomads; grants temporary visa

Remote work has been for a long time the favourite way of completing tasks for many people, to such an extent that a new generation of digital nomads was born. This community grew up as a result of the compulsory telework for virtually the whole world population in the middle of the pandemics of COVID-19. Now, multiple countries around the world opted to support this kind of travellers by granting work visas, which enables them to stay for longer in their territories.

Digital nomads work online, either for businesses or digital platforms, and they are frequent travelers: such is the freedom of taking their office in their carryon.

Some time ago, such an adventure was very troublesome due to the country restrictions to the stay of tourists. This is no more the case, as more and more countries are willing to accommodate these freelancers from six months up to two years.

While the issue of such visas for digital nomads started in Europe, Latin America did not fall behind. Nowadays a dozen of countries grants visas or stay special permits, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia and Panama, according to the Report on Migration Trends in Latin America, released by Fragomen.

In Costa Rica, digital nomads may apply for the rentier visa to stay at least for two years. Applicants are required to provide evidence of their income or prove that they work for a foreign business and earn at least USD 2,500 monthly. In default of it, they need to deposit USD 60,000 in a domestic bank account.

In Mexico, the visa for tourists is good for 180 days, including the option to apply for temporary residence, effective for one year and renewable within the subsequent three years. This is for the applicants capable of proving self-sufficiency.

Colombia is among the Latin American countries with more growth for that matter. The nation has embarked upon new migration laws and regulations giving more leeway, options and alternatives, not only to digital nomads, but also to entrepreneurs and investors. Over the past few years, Colombia has expanded its migration status for the entry of foreigners, from humanitarian measures to visas for new investors under its Law for Entrepreneurs.

For its part, Argentina is planning to welcome digital nomads in Buenos Aires, the capital city. In the meantime, the nation is working on a visa that may be used nationwide.

Similarly, Panama is working hard to expend its visa system, and has already given support to sportspersons and environmentalists.

In Central America, Salvador has made provision for digital currency and cryptocurrencies, clearing the way to the digital nomads, who explore and develop this item.

Brazil and Chile extended the term of stay for tourists. In this way, digital nomads can stay there for longer, on condition of being responsible for their expenses and civil and legal duties.

Furthermore, an excellent option for digital nomads includes Antigua and Barbuda, which offer the Nomad Digital Residence (NDR), whereas Barbados offers its Seal of Welcome to Barbados, and Bermuda boasts the Work from Bermuda.

In all these cases, digital nomads are required to prove that they do remote work, either as freelancers or for a business legally registered in a foreign country. They also need to produce evidence of income higher than USD 1,000, that is, being able to sustain themselves during their stay.