Remote Work: Latest Countries to Implement Digital Nomad Visas

September 14, 2022


Governments across the world continue to launch digital nomad visa schemes for international remote workers. Thailand and Uruguay are the latest to join the list of countries aiming to facilitate remote work, while Colombia will start to accept applications from 22 October 2022. Portugal has just approved a new Immigration law that includes a new tailored visa for remote work.

Thailand

Visa applications will be accepted from 2 September for a new Long-Term Resident (LTR) route for four different categories of foreign nationals: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-From-Thailand Professionals and Highly skilled Professionals.

LTR holders will enjoy privileges such as:

  1. Discounted personal income tax rate.
  2. Exemption from the normal required ratio when applying for visa by removal of the requirement for employers to hire four (4) Thai citizens per one (1) foreigner.
  3. Fast track at the international airports in Thailand.
  4. 90-day report extended to 1-year report and exemption of re-entry permits.
  5. 10-year renewable visa.  LTR visa holder will be granted a visa five years at a time.
  6. Immigration and work permit facilitation services at the One Stop Service Center in Bangkok.

More information and requirements for the Work-From-Thailand professionals can be found in this official government document.

Uruguay

Decree 238/022 published on 28 July 2022, declared that an existing six-month short stay permit called “Hoja Provisoria de identidad” can now be utilized by foreign nationals wishing to work remotely for foreign companies from Uruguay. It may be renewed once for another six months.

Colombia

Resolution 5477 from 22 July 2022, entering into force on 22 October 2022, has expanded the list of permitted activities of short business travelers (90 days extended to 180 max) to include remote work of digital nomads. For those foreign nationals wishing to work as a digital nomad for a longer period of time, a two-year digital nomad visa could be issued.

Portugal

A separate update will be published as soon as we know more about the new Portuguese digital nomad visa.

Newland Chase Insights

Following the COVID pandemic, more and more countries continue to implement digital nomad visas that provide that long-awaited legal immigration framework to remote work. Global immigration policies may need to be adapted to this new way of work. Employers are strongly encouraged to fully understand the impact of digital nomads from an employment, financial and tax perspective.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.