Freelance and remote work are the mainstream of our time. This format of employment has many more pros than cons. The main one is the opportunity to work anywhere in the world, any time, in any form and in any conditions. That is why many freelancers travel to other cities and countries while still making money.
Let’s find out where a digital nomad can immigrate to and what the migration laws of different countries say about this.
Immigration laws for freelancers
We can distinguish three categories of countries in terms of availability:
- Affordable: countries with simple immigration laws, in which it is possible to stay for a long time without a residence permit (or with minimal requirements to obtain a residence permit). These are, for example, Thailand, Ecuador, Georgia, Turkey, Montenegro, Indonesia.
- Moderate accessibility. There are some difficulties for the immigrant, but the chances of moving are high. Examples: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal.
- Practically unaffordable. Countries with very strict immigration laws, where entry to freelancers is practically closed: USA, the UK, Australia, Canada.
Let’s take Canada for example. For a freelancer a relocation under the “Self-employed person” program sounds to be perfect. But there are many nuances. First, only professionals of the arts and sports fall under this category (that is, for example, webmasters have virtually no chance). In addition, there is a very strict system rating the value of a specialist, which depends on education, work experience, and knowledge of languages.
And, for example, in Indonesia or Thailand the visa issue can be solved quite simply. You can stay in the country for up to several months on a tourist visa, and then renew it by traveling to neighboring countries.
Is it possible to relocate without special visas?
The visa-free regime or a tourist visa typically allows staying in a country no longer than 90 days (most often no more than 30 days). Then a freelancer must obtain a long-term visa or a residence permit, depending on intentions.
Until recently a common option among freelancers were so-called “visa runs”. To avoid the bureaucracy some freelancers leave the country when their visa expires and get an exit stamp at the border. The next day or a few days later they come back for another “tourist” term.
That way you can live for years in Thailand, Bali, and other paradises. But this is not the best option. The problem is that formally visa runs are a violation of the migration laws of the country. Now the governments of visa-free states have begun to tighten requirements for tourists. For example, in Thailand, border guards sometimes check visa runners and ban them from re-entering the country. And due to the coronavirus pandemic and border closures, visa runs to another country have become virtually impossible.
A foreigner who wants to live in a country permanently must legally formalize their status, become a taxpayer, get other rights and obligations of permanent residents. If you are caught in violation, there will be a fat black spot in your visa history. In order not to become a violator, you need to get a residence permit – a document that allows you to stay in the country for a long time. For freelancers there are two main types: residence permit without the right to work and business residence permit.
How can a freelancer get a residence permit without the right to work?
This type of residence permit is more common in developing or “resort” countries that want to allow immigrants to spend money in their country earned elsewhere abroad.
The main requirement for the holder of such a residence permit is the availability of savings or permanent passive income of at least a certain limit. The amount of income depends on the country’s cost of living. In developing countries such as Argentina or Peru an income of $500 per month per person is needed. But in Caribbean resorts – for example, in Barbados – the monthly income must be at least $4000.
Some countries impose additional restrictions. For example, in Spain you should show savings sufficient to live for a year – this is about €10,000 per person (about $12,000).
Portugal requires proof that you have a steady passive income, in 2020 that’s at least €635 per month (about $770). And remote work or freelancing does not qualify – only pensions, dividends or rent from real estate.
Thailand, Bulgaria and some other countries issue residence permits only to retirees with pensions of several hundred euros.
Detailed requirements can be found at the websites of the consulates of the selected countries.
How can a freelancer get a business visa or residence permit ?
Self-employed and individual entrepreneurs can obtain a business residence permit in almost all EU countries and China. To do this, a freelancer must register as an entrepreneur or self-employed and become a taxpayer.
Unlike with the “classic” business residence permit, a freelancer does not need to register a company, hire employees, or invest money. It is enough to demonstrate suitable education and/or experience, register as a sole proprietorship or self-employed person and find the first clients. Read how this process works in Germany.
Note that in some countries, such as Portugal and Germany, it is important that customers live within the country – this justifies your desire to live and work here.
What other visa options are there for freelancers?
Recently a number of countries have introduced a new type of visa designed specifically for remote workers. Such a visa is usually granted for one year and is usually easier to obtain than a residence permit, but only if your income meets the required level. You do not have to pay taxes in this case.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the issuance of such visas has been suspended in a number of countries. However, the program is popular in the Caribbean (e.g., Bermuda and Barbados). Recently a special program for freelancers has been introduced in Mauritius. One of the first European countries that began issuing Digital Nomad Visas was Estonia. Croatia is going to follow this example in the near future.
Freelancevisa.info editorial staff is constantly monitoring the situation with visas and residence permits for digital nomads. We will keep you informed about all the updates!
