Digital nomad visas: Close to 50% of all global destinations offer DNVs, says UNWTO

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A UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) study has revealed that the number of destinations offering digital nomad visas (DNVs) has grown significantly over the past few years, with almost half now offering visas for at least a year.

A DNV allows individuals to live and work in a foreign country while maintaining employment or conducting freelance work for employers or clients in their home or another country.

These details were derived from a study covering 54 destinations.  The analysis showed the rise in DNVs reflected the growing number of digital nomads, with countries working toward meeting the growing demand.

The UNWTO brief examined the DNV programmes in seven areas:

1. Application process
2. Duration of visa
3. Taxation
4. Insurance
5. Accommodation
6. Minimum income requirements
7. criminal records check

Key findings of the UNWTO study

The study looked at the background and current state of digital nomadism trends covering five regions. It revealed the following trends:

• 47 per cent of destinations provide visas for up to one year
• 39 per cent of destinations exempt digital nomads from tax payments
• 17 per cent of destinations do not have minimum income requirements
• 76 per cent of destinations have online applications for DNV programmes
• 80 per cent of destinations process applications within a month
• Only 6 per cent of destinations have no visa fees for application

Dubai Digital Nomad Visa

Dubai was one of the first to launch this type of visa in the Middle East. The emirate ranked second in the 2021 Nomad List of the world’s fastest-growing remote working destinations, in a study involving 150,275 user check-ins.

The government created the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa in 2021 under the ‘Work Remotely from Dubai’ programme to attract talent from all over the world.

The virtual working programme is valid for a year, and it gives digital nomads access to all the standard services that residents benefit from, including utilities, schooling, etc.

It costs $611 in total, including application fees, processing costs, pre-application medical exam and Emirates ID.  All applications (new applications and renewals) are reviewed and processed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD).

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