The Top 24 Countries You Can Move to as a Virtual Assistant or Freelancer in 2026
There are over 70 digital nomad and freelancer visas active around the world right now. More countries are launching them every year as governments wake up to the economic value of remote workers who spend locally while earning globally.
Below are 24 of the most popular. These are the ones I see come up most often in conversations with the 45,000+ VAs and freelancers I have helped build location-independent careers - the ones with the most accessible income thresholds, the strongest communities, or simply the most interesting lifestyle on offer.
This is not just about travel. It is about choice - over where you live, how you work, and what your life actually looks like.
✈️ Real talk before you book that flight...
Half the visas on this list either require or strongly recommend proof of travel/health insurance — and "I'll sort it at the airport" is not a plan. I use SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance myself: no fixed address required, works across borders, sign up in minutes from wherever you are.
(Affiliate link — if you sign up, I get a small referral bonus at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I actually use on the road.)
Under a bilateral agreement, US passport holders can stay in Albania visa-free for up to 365 days - no application, no income requirement, no paperwork. One of the only countries in Europe offering this. UK, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free instead. Low cost of living, dramatic coastline, and still largely under the radar.
Albania's formal route for remote workers is the Unique Permit - a Type D visa combined with a residence permit for digital mobile workers. Valid for 1 year and renewable annually for up to 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residency. Requires around $9,800 USD per year in income.
1 to 2 years depending on visa type, with income expectations around $60,000 per year. Bali is one of the biggest digital nomad hubs in the world for good reason - incredible culture, community, and lifestyle. Best for established freelancers who can meet the income threshold.
Valid for 1 year and renewable for another. If you want to stay longer, you can switch visa types. Big culture, big energy, and a low cost of living. Brazil is an underrated option for freelancers who want Latin America without the obvious choices.
Valid for up to 2 years, with fast Wi-Fi, cool cities like Medellin and Bogota, and a actually low cost of living. The income threshold increased in 2026 to 3x the Colombian minimum wage - now around $1,400 USD per month. Still one of the more accessible options, but worth budgeting accordingly. A smart move for freelancers who are past the very early stages.
Officially a temporary residence permit rather than a visa. Valid for up to 18 months and cannot be renewed consecutively - you must leave Croatia for at least 6 months before reapplying. No local income tax on foreign earnings during your stay. A dreamy coastal destination with island hopping, Adriatic sunsets, and a well-established nomad community in cities like Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik.
Officially the Zivnostensky list, which translates as trade licence. Renewable and leads to permanent residency after 5 years. Some upfront admin involved and processing can take 90 to 120 days, but it is a reliable and affordable EU base. Prague has a well-established expat and nomad community and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Note: the formal Czech Digital Nomad Programme is currently restricted to specific nationalities and professions (IT and marketing). Check eligibility before applying.
1 year, renewable once. Not a direct path to PR, but smooth, modern, and a solid stepping stone for EU access. Estonia is one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world - perfect for tech-savvy freelancers.
Citizens of around 95 countries - including the US, UK, Canada, and most of Europe - can enter Georgia visa-free and stay for up to 365 days with no formal application required. You can freelance, work remotely, open a bank account, and sign a lease. It is one of the most actually open arrangements for remote workers anywhere in the world. Note: since January 2026, proof of health insurance is required on entry.
For those wanting a formal residency status, Georgia offers a D2 immigration visa for freelancers and entrepreneurs. This provides legal residency and access to the country's famously low tax rates - just 1% on turnover for registered small businesses. Requires a minimum monthly income of around $2,000 USD or $24,000 in savings.
For self-employed individuals with international clients. Residency after 3 years, citizenship after 6. Germany offers long-term security, excellent infrastructure, and a serious path to EU citizenship for freelancers who want to plant roots.
Starts with a 1-year stay, renewable, with long-term residency and citizenship options if you decide to stick around. Sunshine, slow living, and a growing digital nomad community. One of the most desirable lifestyle destinations in Europe.
12 months, renewable, with income expectations around 28,000 to 30,000 EUR per year. A strong option for EU living with serious lifestyle appeal - food, culture, history, and a growing remote work infrastructure.
Up to 2 years, renewable, in one of East Africa's most vibrant and fastest-growing tech and startup hubs. Requires income from outside Kenya and a minimum of around $2,000 USD per month. For those looking beyond Europe and Asia, Kenya is a actually exciting option.
Up to 12 months, requiring roughly 2,800 to 3,000 EUR in monthly foreign income. A quiet EU base with full Schengen access. Still under the radar, which means lower costs and less competition for good housing.
Valid for 2 years, easy to apply for, low cost of living, and English-friendly. A great option for Southeast Asia with actual long-term potential. Kuala Lumpur has excellent infrastructure, fast internet, and a large international community.
Valid for 1 year and renewable. Does not lead directly to PR, but you can switch visa types later. Safe, warm, English-speaking, and actually easy to navigate. A solid EU base for freelancers who want sunshine without the complexity.
12 months, renewable, with no fixed minimum income requirement - just proof of foreign income and sufficient funds. A genuine lifestyle option with a simple setup, beautiful surroundings, and a surprisingly straightforward application process.
One of the most popular choices for freelancers worldwide. Gives you 1 to 4 years, with a path to permanent residency after 4 years and citizenship after 5. Mexico does not have an official digital nomad visa, but the Temporary Resident Visa is the established route. Income requirements vary by consulate but are typically around $2,580 to $4,400 USD per month in 2026, or roughly $74,000 in savings. Packed with incredible cities and a well-established nomad community.
Introduced in 2022, the D8 is now the primary visa for remote workers and freelancers with active income. Requires a minimum of 4,680 EUR per month and at least 11,040 EUR in savings. Gives you legal residency, Schengen access, and a path to citizenship. Note: Portugal updated its citizenship law in May 2026 - naturalisation now requires 10 years of residency for most non-EU nationals.
The D7 is now specifically for those living on passive income - pensions, dividends, rental income, royalties. Minimum 920 EUR per month. If your income comes from active freelance work or remote employment, consulates are increasingly directing applicants to the D8 instead.
12 months, renewable once, with an income requirement of around 3,300 EUR per month. A lower cost EU option with surprisingly good infrastructure, fast internet, and a growing community of remote workers in cities like Bucharest and Cluj.
Register as a sole proprietor and apply for a renewable 1-year residence permit. After 5 years, apply for permanent residency. Stunning landscapes, EU access, and one of the most underrated countries in Europe for freelancers who want quality of life without the crowds.
Allows stays of up to 12 months initially, renewable annually for a total of up to 3 years. You must earn income from outside South Africa and meet a minimum of around $55,000 USD per year. Best suited to established remote workers, but an extraordinary destination for those who qualify.
Register as a freelancer in Spain, renew annually, and apply for permanent residency after 5 years. Full EU lifestyle, sun, community, and one of the most established freelancer visa routes on the continent.
Up to 5 years, with approximately $15K in savings and proof of freelance work required. One of the longest digital nomad stays available anywhere. Thailand has been a nomad favourite for years and the Destination Thailand Visa finally gives it a proper long-term option.
Renewable residence permits with proof of income usually starting around $1,500 to $2,000 per month. Incredibly affordable, culturally rich, and positioned right between Europe and Asia. Istanbul alone is worth the move.
An app I highly recommend
Once you have a destination in mind, the prep work matters more than most people realise. Visa entry rules, the right local apps, eSIM options, currency tips, safety info, cultural etiquette. It is a lot to piece together from different sources, and easy to miss something important.
TravelReddi pulls it all into one place. You enter your passport and destination and it builds you a personalised guide covering everything you need to know before you land. It is free, covers 40+ countries with neighbourhood-level detail, and actually saves you time.
It was built by Cara Laban, a VEA alumni, solo founder, and someone who has been travelling non-stop for a decade. She built the thing she always wished existed. Worth bookmarking before your next trip.
One more thing before you pack your bags
If you are taking your VA or freelance work on the road, so many incredible places are ready to welcome the right kind of traveler. Especially those willing to stay a little longer and put down some temporary roots. That is where the real experience is.
The ability to move freely is a privilege most people in the world do not have. And with it comes responsibility. When you relocate somewhere, even for a few months, you are living in someone else's backyard. The question worth sitting with is: how would you want people to treat yours?
There are so many resources available to help you learn local etiquette, cultural customs, and how to engage respectfully with a place before you arrive. Use them. The goal is not to make somewhere feel like home. It is to celebrate what it actually is. The people, the culture, the food, the rhythms of daily life that existed long before you got there. That is what makes this way of working and living so rich - if you let it.
The Thing Nobody Tells You
Most people assume that moving abroad requires a certain type of job, a certain level of income, or a certain kind of luck. What I have seen over 14 years is that the real barrier is almost never the visa. It is not knowing how to build the income that makes it possible.
Freelancing is one of the only careers that is actually portable by design. The skills you already have - writing, admin, design, tech, marketing, project management - are in demand from clients all over the world who do not care where you are sitting when you do the work.
If you are ready to explore what that could look like for you, the free Beginner's Guide to Virtual Assistance is a good place to start. And if you are serious about building something real, the Virtual Excellence Academy is where we go deep.
The borders are more open than you think. The only thing left is the income to back it up.
And once you're landing clients, make sure you're charging what you're worth. Here's exactly how to set your rates as a VA.
Who is Hannah Dixon?
Hannah Dixon is the founder of Digital Nomad Kit and creator of the Virtual Excellence Academy, an award-winning training that's helped over 45,000 VAs and freelancers build thriving remote businesses.
As a digital nomad of 20 years and international speaker, she's known for building inclusive communities, hosting global gatherings where belonging thrives, and expanding access to digital skills and self-leadership education through global partnerships.
Featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, and more, Hannah sees digital freelancing as a path to autonomy, access, and freedom - for everyone, everywhere, who's ready to build something of their own.
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