In today’s internet-driven age, many people are ditching the 9-5 lifestyle and instead opting to become what is known as a digital nomad.
This is somebody who works remotely and spends their time travelling with no one fixed location. This is all possible thanks to the technology and the internet and certainly offers an attractive lifestyle for those that can make it work.
As you would imagine with this type of lifestyle, there are a few unique challenges particularly when it comes to the legal side of constant travel and work. With this in mind, here is all that you need to know about visas and legal issues for digital nomads.
Visas
The issue surrounding visas for digital nomads is a complex one. If you are visiting a country in which you need a tourist visa then legally you are not supposed to work yet this is what most digital nomads do. This is because the work is usually remote and for clients overseas which also means that you are not taking a job away from anyone else and the authorities have more pressing matters to deal with. Technically, answering work emails or calls while on holiday on a visa holiday would be illegal so this is not an issue that people are concerned with.
Visa Length
Of course, visas only last a certain while which can be problematic if you want to stay in one place for an extended period of time. You can usually get a new visa and return to the country the next day which is known as a visa run. For any visa issue or immigration concerns, you should always speak to specialists like Withers Worldwide ahead of time.
Registration & Legal Issues
In some countries, you may also have to register with the local authorities if you are not living in a hotel during your stay so always research ahead. It is also important to research laws and customs ahead of time as you will find that many places are different to Western culture and you do not want to get on the wrong side of the law during your travels.
As you can see, the life of a digital nomad can be complex and there is a bit of a grey area. Many people have adopted this way of life and, provided that they research ahead and do not attract attention to themselves, they should be able to enjoy all the perks that this flexible way of life can provide.
