If you’ve been in the workforce for a while and are looking for a change of scenery, you might want to consider getting a digital nomad visa.
It’s a visa program that allows foreigners to live and work remotely for a certain period in other destinations that aren’t their country of permanent residence.
Depending on the country, the digital nomad visa offered could allow you to stay in that region for several years, and it might even include tax breaks.
However, many countries look for specific qualifications for eligibility, including income and education.
If your company lets you work remotely, here are five countries that offer digital nomad visas to Canadians.
Japan
Japan launched its digital nomad visa in April. Canadians and their spouses and children are eligible to apply for the visa.
“The Digital Nomad Visa will allow holders to work remotely in Japan for up to six months (once this period is exceeded, the applicant must wait for six months to reapply for the same visa status),” reads a release from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). “The new visa presents a great opportunity for those in the relevant sectors to immerse themselves deeper in Japan.”
However, some requirements might make it difficult for some Canadians to apply.
Japan requires prospective digital nomads to have an annual income of ¥10 million. At the latest currency exchange rates, this is just under C$90,000.
Read this to learn more about eligibility requirements.
Italy
Italy launched its digital nomad visa in April, allowing highly skilled remote workers who are not citizens of an EU state to apply.
According to the Italian government, a person who qualifies for this visa is someone “who carries out a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely, both as a worker self-employed or as a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy.”
It added that prospective remote workers must have an annual income of around €28,000 or C$41,000 to qualify for the visa.
Read this to learn more about eligibility requirements.
Turkey
In April, Turkey launched its pre-application platform Digital Nomad GoTürkiye to make it easier for Canadians to apply to work remotely in the country.
To be eligible for the visa, you must be a Canadian citizen between the ages of 21 and 55 and have an annual salary of at least US$36,000, or around C$49,000.
Read this to learn more about eligibility requirements.
Portugal
Portugal offers this type of visa to non-EU citizens, which allows them to live and work remotely in the country for up to a year, with the option of renewing.
You won’t need an exorbitant income to do this, either. According to the travel website Nomad Girl, if you make €9,870 (C$13,212.70) per year and have proof of your employment and residence in another country, you should be able to apply.
Read this to learn more about eligibility requirements.
Spain
Spain launched its digital nomad visa in January 2023 as part of legislation that aims to encourage entrepreneurship and foreign investment, according to visaguide.world.
Non-EU citizens can apply for the program, meaning Canadians employed at companies that allow remote work are eligible.
The visa is valid for one year from the entrance date and is renewable for up to five years after that.