How Remote Work Visa is Transforming Work and Travel

Remote work visas will create a much more sustainable form of tourism and transform how the world works and travels.

The idea of working remotely from exotic places is not new. It's been around since years ago with the booming of digital nomads, especially in attractive locations offering a mix of great weather and views, cheaper prices, and a reliable internet connection. Among the hot locations are Bali, Chiang Mai, Lisbon, or Medellin.

However, remote work has advanced fast due to the spread of COVID-19, giving many workers the flexibility to work from anywhere they desire. With a huge portion of people working from home already, remote work is the present, and flexible working is the future of work. Thus, many consider remote work to be here to stay.

Some countries have started offering mid to long term residence visas to attract professionals who can work remotely, in the hope to support local economies that have been decimated due to closed borders and lockdowns. These long-term visitors could support local economies without displacing any permanent residents’ jobs.

Remote Work Visa

Now more countries want to get ready for the new wave of remote working professionals, realising how sustainable this lifestyle is. That includes established professionals working for top companies that have embraced remote work and tend to have a higher buying power. Also, although at this time they could be facing travel constraints, but once the pandemic is controlled, they might be willing to live and work (at least for a while) somewhere else.

Destinations for Remote Workers

Countries, like Portugal and Germany, have had arrangements like this in place for years, while some destinations, like Barbados and Bermuda, have launched remote visa programs for incoming visitors.

Check this article for a list of 17 destination that welcomes remote workers: Destinations Welcoming Long-Term Visitors to Live and Work Remotely

Benefits from a Remote Work Visa

What are the benefits that remote workers can expect from a remote work visa?

1. Living in an area with scenic beauty and great weather 

Countries offering remote work visas are often top tourist locations. They usually offer fantastic activities to do after work, which means you’ll never have a dull day.

2. Reliable internet

Since they’re marketing to remote working professionals, stable connections are well-maintained. Strong, stable, and fast internet – without them, you can’t attract digital nomads.

3. A safe environment to work in

These countries depend on people coming into their country, staying for a while, and spending money. This wouldn’t be possible if everyone was worried about their security. Therefore, you’ll notice that they spend a lot on ensuring their cities are safe for ex-pats.

Meanwhile, governments offering remote work visas also reap benefits. 

4. Foreign money 

These types of travellers are valuable. They travel and spend a few months, whether buying local products and supporting the tourism industry or making a full-out business investment. By adding remote work visas, governments can attract more sustainable tourism spending and increase the overall revenue that they receive from foreign remote workers in their country.

Needless to say, a remote work visa is a win-win for everyone involved.

Remote Work’s Impact

Although it is difficult to predict the future and the exact implications of the growing trend of remote work visas on the overall industry, it is reasonable to expect more flexibility and freedom in our day-to-day lives.

1. Financial Freedom and Independence

Consider Geoarbitrage, or relocating to take advantage of the lower costs of a city/country. Saving money by relocating to a place with a lower cost of living frees you up with more time needed to earn money. You'll then have more time for the people and things you love, and this increase your quality of life.

2. Security and Pleasure

Previously, remote workers would purposefully seek out countries with more lenient visa policies so they can spend some time working while they are there. With remote work visas,  workers have a lot more security. This could lead to workers establishing a home base and increasing the overall spending in foreign countries, all without taking away any jobs from the local workforce.

Remote work visas, hopefully, will create a much more sustainable form of tourism and transform how the world works and travels.

Featured image: Satyam HCR on Unsplash