Work-Friendly Visas

The five vital attributes for a digital destination:

• Highly connected 
• Has lots of cafes, co-working & community
• The best nomad destinations offer inexpensive visas or visa-free travel lasting several months.

• Carrying cash: make larger withdrawals less often, to avoid repeated bank charges
• An emergency stash:  store a supply of cash in US dollars, UK pounds or Euros hidden somewhere safe as a last-ditch emergency fund, in case you don’t have access to your accounts
• Credit and debi...

• Software developer. Remote working is a standard part of development, so it’s a small leap to being a coding nomad.
• Web designer. A perfectly portable profession, where what matters to clients is results, not where you are based.
• Trav...

• Deciding how to make a living while you trot the globe is the biggest single decision you’ll have to make as a digital nomad. Start with what you know. It will almost always be easier to find work in a field where you already have years of experience.
• You don...

• The Second City is typically the second-largest in the country – where local politicians are pulling out the stops to make things easy for business, the cost of living is manageable, and competition for space and resources is that little bit less cutthroat.
• T...

Being a digital nomad doesn’t have to mean being a recluse, even if you’re working for yourself rather than being part of a team.

Plugging into the local nomad network is a great way to find out what other people are doing and get tips for great places to eat, sleep and wo...

• Do plenty of research ahead of time and work out a seamless route from the airport to your first overnight stop.
• Fly overnight, land in the morning
• Don’t arrive after dark: things will be closed, taxi fares are higher, and you’re more at risk of crime and simply getting los...

• Visit your doctor for a general check-up
• Go to the dentist, and visit your optician for an up-to-date glasses prescription and a general eye health check 
• A month or so ahead of travel, get any vaccinations you need for your ...

Accommodation will be the biggest single cost of nomadic life, so plan ahead. Being a temporary resident isn’t like passing through on holiday; hotels and hostels drain budgets, and you’ll need your own living space to feel fully at home.

Location is key: if you have to tr...

That idyllic image of working at your laptop on the beach is a bit of a fantasy – you won’t be able to see the screen clearly, and where is the wi-fi coming from? Real-life nomads choose a workspace with free wi-fi and a quiet environment. 

Some options:

• The coffee shop board...

Bank accounts tend to be designated in a particular currency and operate in a particular jurisdiction, under a particular tax regime. Whenever money moves between banks, countries or currencies, there are fees to pay.

Deciding who will pay these fees and charges adds an extra layer of c...

• Always make sure that your policy covers medical treatment and evacuation in the event of a medical emergency or a natural disaster.
• Keep the hotline number handy – your insurer may be able to advise on reputable local medical facilities as well as handle claims. 

• A universal travel adapter plug
• Surge protection 
• A multiplug or power strip
• An external hard drive, USB stick, or memory card for critical backups.
• A 1m ethernet cable
• Spare USB leads
• A spare laptop power supply
• Noise-cancel...

• Social Media Expert. Managing social media accounts is a business that works from anywhere.
• Technical Support Representative. You don’t have to be physically in the room to keep tech ticking over smoothly.
• Virtual Assistant. ...

• The Tech Metropolis: Some of the best hubs for digital nomads are vibrant, modern cities – often in Asia – with young populations, cutting-edge tech industries, and well-established networks of local entrepreneurs
• The Merging Capital: Europe is dotte...

• You already know plenty of people in your own industry, so approach contacts before you head off, either directly or via networking sites like LinkedIn. Let people know that you’re going freelance and looking for work.
• Most people have a string of talents tha...

The first rule of fitting in anywhere is communication. Even if all your digital business is with people back home, learning some of the local languages will help with the logistics of running your business overseas, as well as making you feel more grounded and part of the local ...

• Take a walk at first light
• Find somewhere great for breakfast
• Get acquainted with public transport
• Hunt down a street food lunch
• Relax in a local park
• Investigate local co-working spaces
• Find an authentic local meal
• Find your new local....