Tag: Visa

Colombia’s New Digital Nomad Visa Is One Of The Easiest To Apply For
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 4 mins ago

Digital nomadism is on the rise in South America, a continent rushing to be ahead of the curve in the post-Covid economic race. Following Brazil and Argentina, who opened the path to residence for remote workers earlier this year, now it’s Colombia’s turn to launch its own Digital Nomad Visa, with some of the easiest requirements we’ve seen yet.

A country whose natural beauties and unique culture were once spoiled by turf wars and widespread instability, which kept visitors and investors away for most of the 20th century, Colombia has successfully re-branded itself in recent decades as a leading tourist destination and major Latin American hub.

Now, it’s taking yet another bold step in revitalizing its Covid-hit economy:

Colombia Has The Most Affordable Nomad Visa Requirements Yet

Colombia may be arriving somewhat late to the party, seeing that most of its traditional competitors, including Costa Rica and neighboring Brazil, have already announced similar schemes benefiting digital nomads months ago, but it’s definitely making up for the delay with an offer many will find impossible to resist.

Starting October 22, eligible workers will be able to set up residence in Colombia by fulfilling one simple requirement: they must have a minimum $684 in available funds monthly. That’s a far lower sum than the United States’ own national minimum wage average this year, estimated at $1,256.70.

With the cost of living crisis, the surging price of fuel, and the never-ending political disputes that are rocking Washington to its core, living Stateside is becoming unsustainable for many young workers, who are now looking outward beyond their home country and joining the growing nomadism trend.

Well, lucky them, cause Colombia’s visa scheme is incredibly accessible.

Digital Nomad Visas Can Require You Make $70,000+ A Year Elsewhere

Essentially, foreigners are required to earn a nearly-negligible average of $22.80 per day to apply, an amount significantly lower than other destinations fueling the trend. In comparison, Costa Rica expects applicants to prove means of support at least $3,000 per month, or $2,316 more than Colombia’s much more modest request.

Over in Europe, perhaps the most popular continent for long-term travelers due to its unparalleled cross-border connectivity, Croatia has established a minimum threshold of $2,600 monthly, while Malta is setting the bar even higher by turning down applications of travelers whose funds do not total $3,063.39 a month. Other examples include:
- Montserrat – Minimum $70,000 a year
- Dubai – Minimum $60,000 a year
- Barbados – Minimum $50,000 a year
- Estonia – Minimum $1,302 per month
- Romania – Minimum $4,170 per month
You can find the complete list of countries offering Digital Nomad Visas clicking here

As you can see, Colombia’s visa requirements are a lot easier to fulfill than those of island countries or Europe’s. Unlike other destinations that have admitted to be openly discouraging budget travel, eyeing big investors and high-spending tourists instead, the Escobar homeland is hoping to attract Europe’s shunned backpackers by removing financial barriers.

3-Month Rule Concern Will Soon Be A Thing Of The Past For Remote Workers

Prior to the visa being launched, Colombia was already a household name among digital nomads, who are drawn to Medellin’s bustling nightlife, Bogota’s cultural scene, the Colombian Amazon’s diverse nature and its beautiful Caribbean coastal route. The only downside? They were only allowed to remain in the country for up to 90 days.

That changes starting this fall.

As a general rule, when visiting as tourists, Americans and a majority of foreigners could only remain for three months. Still, we have had reports of nomads renewing their temporary visas for a further three, though that isn’t guaranteed and overstaying visas inevitably leads to legal difficulties when exiting or re-entering a country.

Once the new system launches, however, long-term travelers wishing to linger in Colombia will no longer have to worry about the 3-month rule, being allowed to remain in the national territory for up to two years – more than enough time to tick off the list all of Colombia’s top landmarks and discover its hidden gems.

In order to be free from Colombia’s Immigration Department’s scrutiny, eligible travelers will be probably be required to apply for the correct visa in advance, granting them permission to work remotely from Colombia. As of now, authorities have not given further information or listed other criteria that must be met.

Are There Any Other Rules For Applying?

As the system is only launching in the fall, we do not know yet of any other rules that may apply other than the minimum income. Usually, Digital Nomad Visas are issued upon presentation of:
- A valid passport that isn’t set to expire during the temporary residence
- Proof of enough financial resources
- One’s income must originate fully from abroad*
- Health insurance for the duration of the intended stay
- A criminal record check**
*When seeking entry into Colombia to work as an employee for a Colombia-based company, foreigners must apply for a Worker Visa, or other similar categories instead

**Not mandatory in some cases

Additionally, if you hold a second Mercosur citizenship besides your American, British or European, or you are also a citizen of a Mercosur-associated member state, you already enjoy freedom of movement within Colombia, being allowed to live and work in Colombia with no requirement other than your Mercosur/Mercosur-associated nationality.

Thus, you are not required to apply for a long-term visa or Colombia’s new digital nomad visa to remain in the country. This is valid for nationals of:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Top 10 Beach Destinations For Digital Nomads

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet To Becoming A Digital Nomad

South America’s First Digital Nomad Village Will Open In Brazil

The Top 5 Countries Where You’re Most Likely To Get Scammed

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
August 29, 2022
Americans Can Relocate To This European Country Without A Visa At All
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 3 hours ago

With all the craziness going on in the States right now, what with the loop of political controversies and economic upheavals, are you thinking of relocating elsewhere, even if only for a while? Perhaps somewhere far from all the culture wars and where life is not as cripplingly expensive? Well, we might know just the place… and surprisingly, Americans don’t need a visa at all to live there for up to a year.

Have you ever heard about Georgia, the country?

A Hidden Gem Nestled In The Far East Of Europe

Georgia is located in the Caucasus, an ambiguous territory marking the European and Asian boundaries, known to compile the very best of the two continents it is sandwiched in between – even then, it has been traditionally considered to be a part of the easternmost reaches of Europe. Sounds confusing still? It is located precisely northeast of Turkey, and south of Russia.

It is also one of the world’s most seriously underrated destinations. Although relatively obscure to Americans, Georgia is an incredibly ancient country, dating back more than 12,000 years. It has centuries upon centuries of History, and there is a lot to unpack here, though its exciting capital, Tbilisi, is a good place to start.

Tbilisi’s cityscape is dominated by picturesque Eastern Orthodox churches, the monumental Sameba Cathedral, a hilltop fortress boasting views of a colorful Old Town and the meandering river below, and countless museums where visitors – and long-term residents – can immerse themselves in, and learn about Georgian/Caucasian culture.

Beyond Tbilisi, Georgia has a myriad of other attractions ready to be discovered, such as the ancient cave city of Vardzia, similar to Turkey’s more famous Cappadocia, picturesque Black Sea towns with beaches that have hardly seen a massive influx of tourists in recent years, the natural wonders of the Mtirala National Park, and many more.

Additionally, for History lovers, the city of Gori in eastern Georgia is the birthplace of Soviet leader Stalin. Those are already reasons enough to consider a move to fascinating Georgia, but this is where things get truly interesting:

No Pre-Departure Visa Required For Stays Up To One Year

The country allows Americans to stay for up to a whole year without requesting a visa in advance. That means you can easily pack up all your belongings – which if you’re a digital nomad won’t be many at all – and move to Georgia with just your passport. No registration required, to Consulate appointments, no pre-issued permits. Simple as that.

For that reason, Georgia is one of the easiest countries to emigrate to. Unlike other European nations, that normally require a truckload of documents to grant Americans residence permits, Georgia is pretty lax about it. If you want to come and make it your base, whether temporarily or for a whole year, you’re more than welcome to.

On the other side, having relaxed immigration rules does not mean Americans enjoy freedom to move into and out of Georgia as they wish. It is still a sovereign country, and some rules must be respected. If they are residing in Georgia for more than 183 days, and are employed, for instance, Americans are liable to pay tax.

Small Business Owners May Be Eligible To Pay Only 1% In Taxes

This includes those working as entrepreneurs, or for an American-based company while living in Georgia. Those who don’t comply risk getting fined, and although the Personal Income Tax rate is relatively high at 20%, it is still far lower than other more popular European nations like Germany, at 37.7%, or Italy, where taxing can reach a staggering 43%.

If you’re still not happy about contributing this much to the Georgian Treasury, there is an easy way to bypass the high fees: for young entrepreneurs and freelancers coming from America and other countries, Georgia allows them to register for a ‘Small Business Status’, allowing them to pay 1% instead of 20%.

The only requirements? Do not have earnings originating from consulting and gambling, and an annual turnover of less than 500,000 lari, or approximately $184,000. Not that difficult to fulfill being a full-time traveler, right? With all this money talk, you may probably be wondering: is Georgia an expensive place to live in?

How Expensive Is Georgia?

To sum it up, not at all. Georgia has long been a haven for digital nomads looking to escape mainland Europe’s extortionate prices, and according to Numbeo, a platform compiling cost of living data across several destinations, a single person is expected to spend an average $538 a month living in the country, not including rent (August 2022 numbers).

It 42.42% more affordable living in Georgia than in France, for example. When planning to stay longer than a year, or even make Georgia their full-time home, Americans have a number of options to consider, though they are advised to contact local authorities to inquire about visa extensions, or permanent residence permits.

Things That Make Georgia Great

Here are other reasons why Georgia is a great place to relocate to:
- It has universal, publicly-funded healthcare
- Georgian and Russian may be the preferred language of a majority, but English is widely spoken too, particularly in major urban centers like Tbilisi and among the younger demographic
- World-class cuisine, some of the best in the Caucasus
- The country’s main international airports, particularly Tbilisi and Kutaisi, have direct links to other destinations all across Europe and Asia, facilitating travel for American expats
- Entrepreneurs with a ‘small business’ registration pay only 1% in tax
- It has access to the sea, namely the Black Sea, meaning there is an extensive beach stretch available for bathers in the hot summer months
- Georgia experiences hot summers, with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees to 32, and winters that are cold, but quite bearable (-1 to 7 degrees)
- Wine was invented here 6,000 years ago! And trust us, there is surely no shortage of the famous Georgian wine, or picturesque wineries, across the nation
Not sure about you, but we’re taking the next flight out like, right away. To find out more about travel to Georgia, entry requirements, health insurance requirements, and long-stay visas, make sure you access this link.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Georgia Removes All Entry Requirements

6 Reasons Why The Country of Georgia Is The Next Big Digital Nomad Hotspot

10 Must-See Attractions in the Country of Georgia

Why Trips To Europe May Not Go As Planned This Fall

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
August 13, 2022
This Fascinating Eastern European Country Has A New Digital Nomad Visa For Americans
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 3 mins ago

Remote workers based in the United States, rejoice! Yet another country has embraced the Digital Nomad trend and will start issuing residence visas for eligible foreign nationals, including Americans. If you’ve never heard of this Eastern European country before, allow us to introduce you to the wonders of the fascinating Latvia:

One of the most affordable places to visit in the continent, it is a Baltic Sea jewel bordering Lithuania and Estonia and a nation steeped in History and tradition. Although it is not the most obvious of tourist destinations, Latvia has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially among travelers looking to escape overtourism.

So what exactly makes Latvia such an appealing Digital Nomad destination?

A Country That’s Been A Digital Nomad Hotspot In The Making For Years

Latvia is a relatively new country. While the Latvian language dates back centuries, the region the Latvian people today call their home has existed as a province under several Empires throughout History. The most recent example is the Soviet Union, that collapsed in the early nineties and opened the path for Latvia to proclaim independence in 1991.

Fast forward 31 years later and you will find a well-developed nation that managed to shake off the ghosts of its Communist past, and despite being in close proximity to Russia, is now a member of the European Union and NATO. Latvia is no stranger to change, and since it found its freedom it’s been constantly looking for ways to revitalize its economy.

Riga, its picturesque, 632,000-people strong capital, has been an entrepreneurship hub for years, attracting people from all over Europe and beyond due to its highly affordable cost of living and low bureaucracy for those starting a business. In fact, the Latvia Government has been committed to a ‘Zero Bureaucracy‘ policy.

Their aim is to reduce the unnecessary paperwork in the public sector and make it easier for businesses to prosper. Because of that, Latvia is at the forefront of the digital revolution in Europe: according to data from the European Commission, it ranks at number 17 in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), out of a total of 44 European countries and territories.

Unsurprisingly, launching a new Digital Nomad residence permit is the next natural step moving forward. As we have discussed extensively in this other article, both solo travel and long-term travel are here to stay, now that the pandemic has boosted the digitization of the economy and remote working is more popular than ever.

Latvian Digital Nomad Visa: The Easy Path To EU Citizenship For Americans?

As of now, only citizens and residents of OECD countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) will be able to apply for the Latvian Digital Nomad Visa. This includes natives of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Turkey, and many more.

The visa allows digital workers, whose business or companies that employ them are registered in OECD states, to live in Latvia for up to two years, without requiring local sponsorship. Additionally, the country will be offering a path to permanent residence for those who apply to remain in Latvia once two years have elapsed.

After five years of continuous legal residence in Latvia (e.g. two years under the Digital Nomad scheme, and then a further three years as a permanent residence), foreigners are eligible to apply for Latvian citizenship, which would grant them EU citizenship as an extent, and the right to move freely across the whole European Union.

What Are The Visa Requirements?

In order to apply for this visa, digital nomads will need to satisfy the following requirements:
- They cannot hold Latvian or another EU/EEA citizenship, or Swiss citizenship*
- Their own company, or company they work for must be registered in an OECD country, such as the United States, Canada or Mexico
- They must be highly qualified professionals
- They need to prove at least six months of employment with a foreign employer, or register as an entrepreneur abroad
- Their monthly salary must be 2.5 times higher than the national average in Latvia**
*EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Swiss nationals already enjoy freedom of movement in Latvia as per the Free Movement directive, with no requirement other than nationality. If you are a U.S. passport holder, as well as a European citizen, you can already take up residency in Latvia freely by presenting proof of your other nationality.

**The minimum wage in Latvia is roughly USD 521,00 as of January, 2022, according to Eurostat.

Other requirements, such as filling out an application form, presenting proof of mandatory health insurance and payment of a visa fee may be detailed at a further date, once the new visa is officially launched. Essentially, non-Europeans must prove they are qualified professionals in their field and a stable source of income of at least USD 1,302.50 a month.

Latvia is the latest European country to issue Digital Nomad Visas, following:
- Croatia (Already launched)
- Italy (Planning to launch)
- Romania (Planning to launch)
- Hungary (Planning to launch)
Latvia Could Be The World Capital For Digital Nomads

Several other EU countries will also be opening the doors to Digital Nomads in the coming months, though none has been as generous as Latvia in regards to financial visa requirements. Authorities in the country believe that introducing this category will ‘help the tourism industry’ by bringing in a ‘large number’ of international travelers working remotely.

Marija Golubeva, the Latvian Interior Minister, has conceded that countries with a ‘more open’ immigration policy have higher GDP, lower unemployment rates, and ‘better-educated’ labor force. Besides being open to the digital revolution, Latvia has the potential to be one of the world’s digital nomad hotspots.

It is a front-runner in broadband coverage and is already prepared for the wider 5G roll-out set to take place next year. As stated by the European Commission on its latest DESI report, one of Latvia’s ‘main strengths’ is the extremely advanced coverage of fast broadband, comprising 93% of the territory – slightly higher than the EU-wide average of 87%.

Latvia has a 4G coverage of 99.9% and has been one of the first in Europe to allocate a radio spectrum for 5G once it’s been fully implemented. This means digital nomads can find a reliable internet connection to carry out their daily work anywhere, from the metropolitan Riga to the idyllic Latvian countryside.

Bottom Line

Eastern Europe is our favorite destination to travel right now, mostly due to its affordability compared to other Western states, like France or Spain, and the freedom travelers now enjoy country-hopping in the region. Bar a few exceptions, the East has no travel restrictions in place whatsoever – fortunately, Latvia is part of this collective.

When making Latvia (an EU country) their base, American nomads will enjoy higher standards of living compared to the United States, incredible culture, and nearly negligible crime levels. As aforementioned, they will also have the opportunity to apply for Latvian citizenship, so long as they integrate into Latvian society and show proficiency in the language.

More information can be found on the Government website.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Portugal Removes All Entry Requirements For Travelers

Germany And Ireland Preparing To Reintroduce Mandatory Masks This Fall

These Are The Cheapest And Most Expensive Countries To Visit In Europe

7 Underrated Destinations In Europe For 2022

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
July 2, 2022