Canadians can apply for a digital nomad visa, which allows for long-term stays in which the applicant can live and work abroad for up to a year, and sometimes even more.
If you want to trade in your home office for white-sand beaches, old-world cities and gorgeous weather, here are 10 countries where Canadians can live and work remotely for up to two years.
Portugal
Details: Portugal offers old-world charm, gorgeous beaches and an average of more than 300 sunny days a year, making it the perfect place to base your work-from-home life.
Portugal's digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live and work in the country for less than one year, according to Visit Portugal.
Known as the temporary visa, to qualify, applicants must earn at least four times Portugal’s minimum wage (820 euros per month) which works out to be at least 3,280 euros per month, or about CA$4,846.
In terms of employment, applicants must either be self-employed or employed by a company based outside of Portugal. They must be able to provide a contract of work or contract of services provided as part of their application.
Applications can be made through your local Portuguese consulate or embassy.
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Italy
Details: Italy just introduced a new digital nomad visa, allowing workers from outside the European Union (which includes Canadians) to work and live in Italy for up to a year.
The visa is aimed at "highly skilled" workers, either freelancers or employed remote workers.
The Italian government most recently defined "highly skilled workers" as those with a university-level degree or post-secondary professional qualification, or at least five years of professional experience.
Digital nomads and remote workers must also have health insurance covering the entire duration of their stay in Italy.
They should also have documentary evidence of accommodation for the length of their stay in the country, have a contract of work or clients, have sufficient funds of at least 28,000 euros (about CA$41,380) and have already worked remotely or as a digital nomad for at least six months.
Those interested should book an appointment at an Italian consulate in their country of residence. You'll want to have a valid passport, proof of employment, proof of income, health insurance, proof of accommodation in Italy and a criminal record certificate.
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Greece
Details: Want to spend your 9-5 life island-hopping, sunbathing and swimming in turquoise waters? Greece is the perfect place to do just that.
The country's Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU citizens to live and work remotely in the country for up to a year. After this time, they can apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Permit if they want to stay longer.
Foreign workers are able to work for any employer registered outside Greece. Like many other digital nomad visas, however, they aren't permitted to work or freelance for Greek companies.
To be eligible, applicants have to prove that they have sufficient resources for the length of their stay, or a salary of at least 3,500 euros, or about $5,172 per month after taxes.
According to Marketing Greece, you can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa at the Greek consular authority in Canada as part of a fast-track process. The request can be made by email or registered letter and the consular authority is obliged to respond within 10 days, with the eventual residency permit being issued by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
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Iceland
Details: If hot springs and volcanos are your thing, Iceland could be the place for you.
Iceland's long-term visa for remote work is open to high-income residents from countries outside the EEA who don't need a visa to enter the Schengen area.
Applicants must be either employees of a foreign company or self-employed workers in order to be eligible. They also have to show an income of 1,000,000 Icelandic Krona per month, or around CA$9,901. This number increases, however, if you want to bring your spouse or children along.
Unlike other digital nomad visas which allow workers to remain in the country for up to a year, Iceland's permit allows workers to stay in the country for up to six months.
To apply, you can mail an application to the Directorate of Immigration or deliver one to the drop box in the Directorate’s reception.
According to the Directorate of Immigration, It is necessary to first pay the processing fee by bank transfer and submit the payment receipt with the application for confirmation.
Applications can also be handed in and paid for in the Directorate's reception or at the offices of District Commissioners outside Iceland's capital area.
Applicants must also pay a fee of 12,200 Icelandic Krona (about $120) as part of their application.
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Spain
Details: You can trade in your WFH life for the laid-back culture of Spain, complete with jaw-dropping beaches and stunning architecture.
Spain's digital nomad visa is meant for foreigners who work remotely or carry out professional activities by telecommunication.
Applicants must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a university or business school of "recognized prestige," or have at least three years of work experience "in functions similar to those of the position to be performed as an international teleworker," according to Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.
Applicants can also bring their spouse or unmarried partner as well as their dependent children or relatives, who are also able to obtain the visa.
To be eligible, applicants must have documentation that they make 200% of Spain's monthly minimum interprofessional wage (SMI), which works out to 2,268 euros (or $3,351) per month.
To apply, Canadians must submit an application in person to a Consulate General of Spain location in Canada. Appointments must be requested in advance by email.
Once issued, the visa is valid for one year.
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Barbados
Details: Want to work from a destination with white sand and tropical weather? Look no further.
Barbados offers a "Welcome Stamp" visa program that allows foreign nationals to relocate and work from the country for up to 12 months.
The visa is available to anyone who meets the visa requirements and whose work is "location-independent," and you can apply as an individual or bring your family (and your pet).
To qualify, you'll need to make an annual income of at least US$50,000 (about CA$69,770) over the 12 months you intend to have the travel stamp.
According to Visit Barbados, you'll find that the island is well equipped for remote working, with the "fastest fibre internet and mobile services in the Caribbean" and lots of local cafes and public spaces that offer free public Wi-Fi.
You can work on the beach or from one of the many co-working and office spaces available in Bridgetown.
Applications can be made online at Visit Barbados. Once approved, applicants must pay a fee of US$2,000 (if applying as an individual, or US$3,000 if applying as a family) within 28 days.
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South Korea
Details: South Korea's Digital Nomad "Workcation" Visa allows foreigners to travel and work remotely long-term in the country.
According to Visit Korea, the visa is eligible only to workers hired by or affiliated with an overseas business, and therefore is not available to freelancers.
The visa allows for stays of up to two years for remote professionals and their families. To be eligible, applicants must work for a company abroad and have earned a salary equivalent to at least 85,000,000 won (about CA$84,774) in the previous year.
Applicants must also be 18 years old or older and have worked for at least a year in the same industry. They must also have medical insurance covering at least 100 million won for hospital treatment and repatriation while in South Korea.
Applications can be submitted to local Korean consulates in Canada.
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Costa Rica
Details: Costa Rica’s digital nomad program invites international residents to work remotely from the "land of pura vida."
To be eligible, foreign nationals must provide paid services remotely using digital or telecommunication technologies or analogous means, to a "natural person or legal entity located outside of Costa Rica," according to Visit Costa Rica.
They must also earn a minimum amount of US$3,000 (CA$4,126) per month originating from outside of Costa Rica for the provision of these services. This increases to US$4,000 (CA$5,502) if they wish to apply for their dependents to legally stay in Costa Rica.
Digital nomads will not be considered to be normal residents for tax purposes, meaning that they will be exempt from complying with “formal and material duties” to the General Directorate of Taxation of the Costa Rican Ministry of Finance.
They will be able to use their driver’s license from their home country for the full duration of their stay in the country.
The visa allows for a stay of up to one year, with the option to renew for an additional year, according to Visit Costa Rica.
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UAE
Details: The UAE offers a long-term visa scheme for remote workers and their families.
The virtual work residence visa is a one-year visa that allows foreigners to enter the UAE under self-sponsorship and work in line with the terms and conditions issued with the visa.
Applicants must be able to provide proof that they work remotely for an organization outside the UAE, and must have a monthly income of US$3,500 (or about CA$4,813).
If you want to live in the biggest city in the United Arab Emirates, there are different eligibility requirements that you must meet.
To live in Dubai under its virtual working programme, applicants must provide proof of a minimum salary of US$5,000 (about CA$6,876) per month and proof of employment with a contract valid for one year, or proof of ownership of company for one year or more if you're a business owner.
Applications can be made online.
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Japan
Details: In April 2024, Japan introduced a new digital nomad visa that will allow holders to work remotely in Japan for up to six months.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the visa is intended for remote workers who have an annual income of 10 million yen (CA$87,600) or more.
The spouse or children of the digital nomad can also apply to join them in Japan.
As part of their application, applicants will need to provide documents explaining the applicant's planned activities and period of stay during their stay in Japan, proving that the applicant has insurance against death, injury or illness during their stay, and proving that the applicant meets the annual income requirements.
Once they have all the required documents and materials, they can submit a Digital Nomad Visa application to their nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.
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Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
