Digital nomadism is an undeniably increasing trend worldwide, especially after the pandemic with the rise of remote work. There will be over 35 million digital nomads worldwide in 2022, most originating from the US. Digital nomads generally combine remote work and travel for various reasons. 

Many countries have started offering a version of the “digital nomad” visa to lure highly qualified, young professionals. These visas allow remote workers to settle for extended periods, working from home and contributing to the local economy. After the disruptive 5-year digital nomad visa that Indonesia put into effect in July 2022, Portugal has also launched a new one-year digital nomad visa, which will be effective on October 30. The new visa program allows visitors to live and work for up to a year in Portugal. In addition, the visa will also allow you to travel visa-free through the Schengen Zone.

Yet until now, there wasn’t a simple way for temporary residents to work remotely from the country. Previously, expatriates had to apply for a D7 visa. The difference between a Portugal Digital Nomad Visa and a Portugal Tourist Visa is the amount of time allowed to stay in the country. Depending on the country, a Tourist Visa will allow you to stay up to 90 days. In contrast, a Digital Nomad Visa can extend your stay for up to a year or more.

The new visa designed for working professionals, officially called the “residence visa for the exercise of professional activity provided remotely outside the national territory, was created first after the Portuguese government amended immigration law in July. Ana Catarina Mendes, a Portuguese Cabinet minister, says: “Portugal is a country for immigration. Every year, we receive thousands of immigrants seeking opportunities in our country”.

ASEAN’s largest economy, Indonesia, has recently announced “Digital Nomad Visas.” Indonesia aims to entice more remote workers to the country with a new digital nomad visa which allows its holders to stay in Indonesia for five years tax-free.

Digital nomads generally combine remote work and travel for various reasons. Passionate about new adventures, they know how to make the most of new technologies and only need an internet connection to work from anywhere in the world. Unlike other remote workers who usually stay in one place and do work, digital nomads travel and explore while working.

Many countries have started offering a version of the “digital nomad” visa to raise tourism figures back to pre-pandemic level. These visas allow remote workers to settle for extended periods, working from home and contributing to the local economy. Indonesia has become the most recent country to offer such a visa.

What offers Indonesia’s New Digital Nomad Visa?

ASEAN’s largest economy, Indonesia, has announced “Digital Nomad Visas.” Indonesia aims to entice more remote workers to the country with a new digital nomad visa. This exclusive nomad visa allows its holders to stay in Indonesia for five years. They also remain in the country tax-free as long as they derive their income from outside of Indonesia. With this legislation, this visa has won the title of the longest-term visa in the world. This new application hopes to incentivize digital nomads to work from popular tourist destinations like the island of Bali.

The visa policy was announced by Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno to boost tourism in the country and to get over 3.6 million overseas travelers into the country over the next year.

According to a Bloomberg report, Uno said that getting millions of travelers through this visa will create a million jobs for Indonesians as the borders have now opened for foreign tourists.

Sandiaga Uno also said the new permit was part of a move away from sunseeker tourism toward a more sustainable model.

He further emphasized he took this decision after a survey that showed Indonesia was “top of mind” for 95% of the remote workers. He also informed that similar plans were in the last year for digital nomad visas, which had to be postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic.

“In the past, the three “S” was: sun, sea, and sand. We’re moving it to serenity, spirituality, and sustainability. This way, we’re getting better quality and impact on the local economy,” Uno said to Bloomberg.

This strategy ensures that residents won’t be displaced from their jobs and that travelers will be longer-staying, higher-spending individuals more invested in the area. Uno explains that they’re interested in not just the quantity of tourists but the quality and the industries their spending will contribute to most.

The government has not yet declared guidelines on when and how to apply for the visa.