What digital nomad visas mean for long-term business travel

From island getaways like Madeira to innovative tech hubs like Estonia, digital nomad visa programes open the door to appealing destinations for long-term business travel. 

Digital nomads are individuals who telecommute while traveling, whether they’re logging on from an internet café or poolside. Fuelled by post-pandemic interest in remote work, the trend shows no sign of stopping. In fact, some estimates show there could be one billion digital nomads by 2035. 

While digital nomads are often freelancers, many are also employed by businesses with remote work policies. The advantages of a digital nomad lifestyle are clear, from lower costs of living to sunny locales and the freedom to explore. But businesses can benefit as well – particularly those working with a remote workforce. The opportunity for longer-term business travel can improve employee satisfaction and loyalty, for higher retention rates. And as more countries take part, digital nomad visas streamline the legal complexities and compliance of international employment.

How digital nomad visa programes work

Visa fees, duration, and requirements will vary by country. Some are open only to business owners or full-time remote workers, while others are available to freelancers and entrepreneurs. 

At minimum, they allow workers to live in the country and perform professional duties without penalty, while the more enticing programes include tax incentives and local healthcare. For example, Malta’s visa doesn’t require digital nomads to pay personal income tax. 

Digital nomads vs remote workers

Many digital nomads are hybrid or fully remote workers. However, not all remote workers are digital nomads. Working remotely includes those who stay at home rather than going to a brick-and-mortar office. Digital nomads, by contrast, work while traveling in different locations, in or out of their home country. 

How is a digital nomad visa different from a traditional work visa?

For short-term business trips, many destinations allow travelers to enter without a specialised work visa. When short-term work permits are required, these should be arranged by travel managers as part of pre-trip planning.

However, when companies manage a remote workforce, it’s important to understand the difference between digital nomad visas and traditional work visas. 

Work visas: 

• Are typically sponsored by the employer in their destination country
• Are usually tied to a specific employer or job contract
• Have a fixed duration in line with the employment contract

Digital nomad visas:

• Do not require company sponsorship, though they may require proof of employment
• Provide greater flexibility with individuals working for multiple clients and companies
• Vary in duration from several months to several years

Are digital nomads considered business travelers?

Digital nomads blend their usual professional activities with long-term sightseeing, while business travelers usually follow an itinerary. 

Business travelers tend to visit a country for a specific, work-related purpose, such as a seminar or sales event. By contrast, digital nomads have greater flexibility. They usually stay in a location for a longer period, integrating work activities with cultural immersion. While the digital nomad stereotype involves hopping from one country to another, the majority (80%) prefer to stay for three to nine months.

However, there are also long-term business travelers working on complex projects that might stay in a location for several months. And some might choose to extend their original work trips with personal travel time, following the growing bleisure trend that blends business travel with a digital nomad lifestyle. 

What are the differences between digital nomads and business travelers?

There are a few fundamental distinctions to make between digital nomads and business travelers:

• Duration: Digital nomads are usually long-term travelers, while business travel can be long or short-term in scope. 
• Flexibility: Digital nomads, while having work responsibilities to meet, have more freedom to set their own schedule and location. By contrast, business travelers have structured itineraries to follow. 
• Office support: Business travelers have the support of their office back at home, with managers and coordinators to contact if anything goes wrong. Digital nomads must often navigate the challenges of travel alone. 
• Expenses: Travel expenses are paid for by the company for business travelers, but digital nomads will usually not receive travel payments for typical expenses like accommodation and meals.

Which countries offer digital nomad visas in 2025?

There are over 50 digital nomad visa countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Each comes with its own application requirements and minimum incomes for long-term business travel, but here are a few of the most notable examples.  

1. Antigua and Barbuda

An increasingly popular destination for business travel, the Caribbean draws tech start-ups and Fortune 500 companies alike. Its luxury hotels come equipped with modern meeting spaces to facilitate conferences and corporate retreats. There’s nothing like a sea view to enhance productivity, and when business travelers wish to extend their stay the Caribbean is home to many digital nomad visa countries.

The twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda offer a Nomad Digital Residence Programe that enables remote workers to stay for up to two years. To qualify, applicants must be:

• 18 years of age
• Employed (or self-employed) outside of Antigua and Barbuda
• Earn a minimum income of $50,000 (USD) per year
• Have a clean criminal record

2. Brazil

With straightforward eligibility requirements and access to tech industry hubs like Belo Horizonte and São Paulo, Brazilian digital nomad visas are an attractive proposition. These are initially issued for one year, but eligible workers can apply to renew for a second. 

To qualify for a Brazilian digital nomad visa, applicants must: 

• Be employed or self-employed outside of Brazil
• Receive a minimum of $1,500 (USD) per month in income OR have at least $18,000 in the bank
• Have a clean criminal record
• Provide all supporting documentation, including applicable work contracts

3. Cape Verde

Nestled off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde blends a lush, tropical climate with a growing digital nomad community. Its Remote Working Programe is available to long-term business travelers visiting from Europe, North America, The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, and the Economic Community of West African States, who may stay initially for six months. 

Eligibility requirements include:

• A minimum bank account balance of €1,500 for individuals and €2,700 for families for the past six months
• Documented health insurance

4. Estonia

Estonia has long been a hotspot for business travel, particularly for those working in the tech sector. Home to companies like Bolt, Pipedrive, and Wise, it draws visiting workers for conferences and collaborations, with a charming medieval backdrop. 

Estonia’s e-Residency programe already entices entrepreneurs with the ability to start companies from anywhere in the world. And in 2020, the country launched its official Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers from abroad. To qualify, employees must: 

• Be able to perform work duties remotely
• Have an active employment contract with a company based outside of Estonia
• Meet the minimum gross income threshold of €3504

5. Japan

Announced in 2024, Japan’s new digital nomad visa allows individuals to live and work in the country for up to six months. It’s open to employees who can work remotely for companies based outside of Japan, with the following caveats:

• Digital nomad visa holders cannot be employed by a Japanese company during their stay
• Annual income must be at least ¥10 million JPY
• Applicants must be a citizen of an eligible country
• The visa is not renewable, but can be reapplied for after spending six months outside of Japan

6. Portugal

One of the most popular European digital nomad visa programes comes from Portugal. The country offers two national D8 visa types:

• Temporary stay visa: Valid for up to one year with the option to renew
• Long-term residency visa: Gives the right to obtain a residency permit and eventual path to citizenship

For most business travelers who want to experience Portugal for the short-term, the temporary stay visa will be the better option. To quality, here are the digital nomad visa requirements:

• A minimum remote income of €3,480 per month
• Proof of employment or freelance income based outside of Portugal
• Valid travel insurance

7. Spain

Spanish digital nomad visas are available for employed and self-employed workers. If employed, companies must be located outside of Spain. However, self-employed applicants can still qualify for this type of European digital nomad visa if they work for Spanish companies, provided this doesn’t exceed 20% of their business. 

The entry requirements are slightly more stringent for Spanish digital nomad visas compared to some others on the list, including minimum education requirements apart from income. 

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a relevant university, college, or business school
• Minimum three years of experience in the field
• Able to fulfill all work duties using a laptop, phone and internet connection
• If self-employed, contracts must be agreed three months prior to application

8. South Korea

South Korea’s F-1-D Workation Visa is open to employed remote workers as well as freelancers. It’s valid for a maximum of two years, starting with a one-year period and opportunity for renewal. To qualify, workers must meet the following criteria and apply in their country’s Korean embassy.

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have worked for at least one year in the same industry
• Receive a minimum income equal to twice Korea’s Gross National Income (GNI), according to the most recent figures announced by Bank of Korea

9. Thailand

The Destination Thailand visa enables foreigners to live and work in Thailand in what the government calls a ‘workcation’ designed for digital nomads, freelancers and remote workers. Qualifying is straightforward with these digital nomad visa requirements:

• Proof of address
• Valid passport and recent photograph
• Financial evidence of at least 500,000 THB
• Employment contract or professional portfolio

Which country is best for a digital nomad visa?

As ranked by the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Index, Spain is the best country for digital nomads. And a study from Global Citizen Solutions rated visa programes according to indicators including income requirements, visa duration, quality of life, internet speed, and more. This also put Spain at the top of the list, with nine out of the top ten countries located in Europe.  

What country has the longest digital nomad visa?

Thailand’s digital nomad visa allows stays for up to five years, while Mexico and El Salvador are good for four. One of the longest European digital nomad visas is issued in Portugal. Although it’s initially only valid for one year, it can be renewed up to five. 

How long does it take to get approved for a digital nomad visa?

Processing times vary from weeks to months depending on country and demand. Some, like Costa Rica and Indonesia, are processed in as little as 7 to 14 days, but it’s best to start the planning process early to expedite approval. 

Pros and cons of digital nomad visas for employees

For business travelers who love to travel, transitioning to a digital nomad lifestyle offers plentiful advantages. Workers can spend more time exploring new places without career gaps, all while enjoying a stable source of income.  

Most destinations offering digital nomad visas have the infrastructure to support remote work, including co-working spaces and high-speed internet. 

However, these visa programes do come with strict eligibility requirements and rules. Working remotely also requires a high level of discipline to stay productive, and some employees may find it difficult to be away from loved ones for longer-term business travel. 

Pros and cons of digital nomad visas for businesses

Businesses will similarly enjoy advantages and challenges. One primary benefit of digital nomad visas is that they simplify compliance. Arranging international travel for your workforce can be complex at times, but this type of visa can be easier to qualify for in comparison to traditional work visas. In turn, this reduces your company’s administrative burden. 

Of course, offering location flexibility as a perk will also help your company stand apart to attract top talent. Plus, hiring a remote workforce allows you to hire the best person for the job, wherever they’re based. 

At the same time, there are challenges associated with managing digital nomads. Each country comes with its own set of requirements, which you’ll need to research. Differences in time zones and working schedules, combined with poor signals, mean communication can be a challenge as well.  

Tips for managing a nomadic workforce

To tackle the challenges of working with digital nomads, here are a few tips to keep in mind. 

• Research digital nomad visa requirements carefully and hold a briefing to ensure both employer and employee are on the same page. 
• Research international taxation requirements and local labour laws, including the differences between physical residency and tax residency.
• Establish expectations around working hours, check-in times, and modes of communication. 
• Invest in travel software for productivity, including collaborative tools like Slack and Workday that give overseas works the tools they need to be successful. Platforms like Tripeden.com for Business can help streamline the process with seamless team management and itinerary sharing. 
• Implement a good system to maintain traveler visibility. Solutions like Traxo partner with Tripeden.com for Business to provide real-time corporate travel data, so businesses can be sure team members have arrived safely.
• Make time for check-ins with traveling workers to support employee wellbeing. 

Why you should create a digital nomad travel policy

Nearly one-fifth (18%) of digital nomads reported that their company doesn’t have a digital nomad policy. And 14% of those surveyed stated that their employers aren’t even aware that they’re nomadic. 

As this trend grows, more companies are developing nomad-specific policies. With clear guidelines, employers can perform adequate duty of care and manage teams effectively. This also ensures that any extended business travel falls within the visa regulations. 

Digital nomad policies may go a step beyond the usual corporate travel policy, including sections related to:

• Limitations on length of stay
• Communication protocols
• Data security requirements 
• Local law compliance

Tripeden.com for Business offers a free Travel Policy Builder to help create clear guidelines. With details stored online, it’s easy to log back in and update your policy to reflect changing workforce trends and business travel needs.  

Effectively managing business travelers, including longer-term remote employees, is easier with the right tools. Use a combination of project management tools like Asana and Trello with business travel management solutions like Tripeden.com for Business. Blending technology with clear policies, companies can harness the digital nomad trend to attract and retain talent.