Tag: Catch

These 2 Hugely Popular Asian Countries Are Launching Digital Nomad Visas But There’s A Catch

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Asia is becoming increasingly popular for digital nomads looking to embrace new cultures while taking advantage of lower crime rates and lower costs of living.

There are currently more than 35 million digital nomads working around the world, and that number is only growing.

Many governments are keen to attract digital nomads and the benefits often bring to their economies. These 2 hugely popular Asian countries are joining many others and launching digital nomad visas.

But there’s a catch:

Digital Nomad Visa In Japan

Japan has long been a popular destination for digital nomads drawn to its unique blend of modern living and culture.

In response to this Japan has finally introduced its own digital nomad visa and the program is expected to start by the end of March.

Applicants from 49 countries, including the U.S., will be eligible to apply for the visa, and you can use this both if you’re a remote worker or if you’re self-employed.

But this isn’t a digital nomad visa that will work for everyone.

The big catch is that to be eligible for the six-month visa for digital nomads you will need to have an annual income of 10 million yen ($68,300) or more, which excludes a huge percentage of digital nomads who aren’t earning enough to be eligible for the visa.

You will also need to have your own private medical insurance in place, though visa applicants can travel with their spouses and dependent children.

Contrary to popular belief, Japan isn’t an expensive country to live in, and the cost of living isn’t as high as you might think. One report found that the average cost of living in Japan is 46% less expensive than the average cost of living in the U.S.

With that in mind it is surprising that the earning threshold for the new digital nomad visa is so high. And no doubt disappointing for those would-be nomads in Japan who don’t meet the earning threshold.

Digital Nomad Visa In South Korea

South Korea is soaring in popularity with travelers and has also announced plans to launch its own digital nomad visa.

The South Korean digital nomad visa will allow nomads to stay in the country for up to 2 years which is 4 times longer than the Japanese visa.

Just like the Japanese digital nomad visa the main drawback of the Korean digital nomad visa is the prohibitively high income requirements nomads will have to prove they meet.

Each nomad will need to prove they earn an annual income of over 84.96 million won ($65,000) to be eligible for this visa.

That figure is a whopping 2 times the gross national income per capita with the cost of living in South Korea being lower than the cost of living in the U.S.

Again, these figures are both surprising and disappointing to those digital nomads who don’t meet the earning requirements.

Other requirements for this new visa include having private health insurance as well as written proof of your employment status and a clean criminal record check.

Why Japan And Korea?

Japan and Korea are the two most popular tourist destinations in Asia right now. Both boast areas of outstanding natural beauty, rich historical attractions, and appealing modern cultures.

From Korean K Pop to Japanese Manga, both cultures have entered the zeitgeist in the U.S. and their pop culture is what attracts so many younger tourists and digital nomads.

For digital nomads, both countries are incredibly safe and convenient and boast high-speed internet connections. They are affordable, clean, and dynamic.

Tokyo was revealed to be 2023’s fastest-growing destination in the world for digital nomads experiencing a 369% increase in nomads in the country with Korea coming close behind.

U.S. travelers can stay in both Japan and Korea for up to 90 days (or 3 months) with a regular tourist visa, so if you don’t meet the high-income requirements to secure a digital nomad and stay on a longer-term basis, then both destinations are still well worth visiting and exploring in the shorter term as part of your digital nomad adventure.

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February 5, 2024
This Cruise Ship Is Making It Possible For Digital Nomads To Live At Sea – But What’s The Catch?

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A cruise ship might not seem like the ideal home for a digital nomad. With small cabins and notoriously bad internet service, it can be hard to imagine living aboard a cruise ship for any length of time, much less getting any work done. But Miray Cruises is launching a brand new kind of ship to do just that.

Their MV Gemini ship is being remodeled to become a long-term floating home geared towards remote workers. The ship will set sail in the fall of this year and will visit every continent throughout its journey, taking along over 1,000 lucky passengers.

Onboard Amenities

The company has gone to great lengths to adapt the ship to meet the needs of digital nomads. Along with high-speed WiFi throughout, the ship is equipped with a full-scale business center, offices, meeting rooms, and a business library and lounge. There is also a 24-hour hospital with medical visits at no extra cost. Passengers will be treated to more spacious cabins and onboard community-building initiatives for a more comfortable long-term experience.

Due to the extended nature of the cruise, there will also be longer stops at various ports throughout the journey. With 208 overnight stops out of the 375 planned ports, guests will have more time to explore onshore.

In addition to these welcome changes, passengers can expect all of the typical cruise amenities, such as a swimming pool, wellness center, sundeck, auditorium, spa, and salon.

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Where Will It Go?

A better question might be, “Where won’t it go?” The ship is set to embark on a 130,000-mile journey, stopping at hundreds of ports along the way. There are 135 countries included on the itinerary, spanning all 7 continents. It is the ultimate around the world sailing trip.

The ship will stop at several ports throughout the Caribbean, sail the entire coastline of South America, up the west coast of the United States before hitting both Hawaii and then Alaska, and then over to Asia. It will then make stops in Japan and South Korea before continuing throughout Southeast Asia, then around Australia and New Zealand. Finally, it will pass India, loop the entire coastline of Africa, then make its way up to the Mediterranean and Europe.

How Much Does It Cost?

Cruises can range from very affordable to quite expensive, depending on the location, amenities, and level of luxury that you desire. You might think a cruise around the world would lean towards the expensive side, and for that, you would be both right and wrong. The Life at Sea Cruise is not a cheap vacation. However, taking all factors into account, it could come up to less than your life at home.

The lowest-priced room, a standard inside cabin at 130 square feet, comes up to $30,000 per person per year. That’s around $2500 a month, which is lower than the average rent for major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and New York.

It’s also not much more than what many remote workers already pay for coliving or digital nomad groups that move around month to month. On top of all that, this is meant to be both long-term and all-inclusive, so there are no grocery bills, utilities, or other similar costs people typically spend in their home country.

Prices do vary by cabin, with the largest being a 322-square foot balcony room at $110,000 per person for the year. The prices are more ideal for couples, but single travelers do get a small discount – 15% off the double occupancy rate. Financing options are available, but a pretty hefty downpayment of $45,000 is required. Although the monthly rate could be enough for some to handle, the downpayment might be a dealbreaker.

What’s The Catch?

The cost, itinerary, and amenities seem very straightforward. However, there is one very big catch. Travelers must commit to the entire journey – not one, not two, but three years. Yes, the ship will sail for a solid three years, and passengers are expected to sign on for the whole time. Though there is an option to split your cabin with other passengers (somewhat like a timeshare), even one year aboard a cruise ship is a huge commitment for most to make. Another drawback is that the Life at Sea sets sail from Istanbul on November 1, 2023, leaving very little time to get your affairs in order.

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March 6, 2023
Another Italian Town Is Offering Money To Move There, But What’s The Catch?
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We’ve all read the headlines – “Beautiful town in Italy is paying people to move there” and “Houses in this Italian village are selling for $1.” But what is behind these seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers? Are they real, and if so, why do these amazing deals pop up so frequently? What’s the catch?

Presicce, Puglia

Earlier this week, officials from the town of Presicce, located in Puglia, announced they will pay outsiders up to $30,000 to move there. Should you start packing your bags?

About The Area:

This beautiful town is located at the southern tip of the heel of Italy’s boot, and along with the neighboring town of Acquarica, it is home to around 9,000 residents. Historically known for its highly productive and renowned olive oil industry, Presicce has been referred to as the “city of green gold.”

Hidden under the town center is an elaborate system of olive mills that tourists can still visit today. The town is surrounded by olive groves and cycle and hiking trails and is about a 15-minute drive to the coast.

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The Fine Print:

In order to qualify for the payment, you’ll have to move to Presicce, purchase an abandoned home in the town’s historical center, and renovate it, if needed. While Americans are permitted to buy property in Italy, they will need to sort out the appropriate visas in order to stay longer than 90 days or look into becoming an Italian Citizen.

The $30,000 sum will be split in two, with one part given to help pay for the home and the other intended for renovations and refurbishment. Eligible houses are determined by local authorities and must have been built prior to 1991

Why Are They Doing This?

In short, Presicce’s population is declining, and officials are hoping this incentive will breathe new life into the town and give a boost to the local economy. Only half of the town’s 9,000 residents live in the historical section, and this incentive will hopefully revitalize the dwindling center.

Speaking to CNN, local councilor Alfredo Palese said, “There are many empty homes in the historical center built before 1991 which we would like to see alive again with new residents. It is a pity witnessing how our old districts full of history, wonderful architecture and art are slowly emptying.”

Other Places In Italy With Relocation Incentives:

Sardinia – $15,000

The beautiful Italian island of Sardinia is trying to lure new permanent residents to its smaller towns in an attempt to reverse a population slide. What’s the catch?
- Move to a Sardinian town with a population of fewer than 3,000 people
- Put the $15,000 towards renovating a home
- Live there full-time
- Register Sardinia as your permanent residence within 18 months
Candela – Up To $2,000

This central Italian town is offering different amounts based on the size of your family- the more people, the more money you receive. What’s the catch?
- Move to Candela
- Rent a house
- Have a job that pays over $7,500/year
Molise – $25,000

The region of Molise, located east of Rome, has 106 villages in need of more people. Officials are hoping a cash incentive can help repopulate these small towns. What’s the catch?
- $700/month for up to three years
- Need to commit to starting a small business to boost the local economy
- Must be between 18-40 years old
Calabria – Up To $29,000

Calabrian officials hope that their “active residency income” project will boost the economy of Southern Italy and help out small communities that are under threat of even more devastating population loss. What’s the catch?
- Payment made over three years
- Must relocate to a village with less than 2,000 residents
- Must commit to starting a new small business or taking over an existing business
- The maximum age is 40
- Must relocate within 90 days of application
$1 Homes

In 2008, a town in southern Sicily made headlines when the mayor announced they’d be selling off homes for as little as $1. Since then, 34 other Italian towns have followed suit with similar programs. Yes, there are homes for sale for next to nothing, but the costs can quickly add up, as most homes on offer are in need of significant restoration and can come with additional expenses like closing costs, translation services, and taxes.

Is It Worth It?

Italy often makes headlines for incentivizing tourists and potential new residents to join them in an attempt to revitalize their numerous small towns and villages. These creative incentives are certainly worth a shot for Italian municipalities. If successful, many towns could be saved from dying out, but it is likely too soon to know how well these programs are working.

From a new resident’s perspective, there will be many factors to consider when taking up one of these offers. While the increase in remote work makes rural living more accessible to many, there will also be unique challenges for those who choose to move to one of these small towns.

Many do not have great internet connectivity, and some towns have little opportunity to make a living locally. Language barriers, limited social life, and isolation are all factors to consider before jumping on one of these offers.

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November 25, 2022