Remember when long-term travel meant dodging 90-day limits and praying the immigration line was sleepy? Those days are fading. Countries now woo remote workers with slick e-visa portals, four-page PDFs and income thresholds you might already hit. Below are seven of the friendliest “just show up and upload” options.
1. Barbados — Welcome Stamp
Why it’s easy: Entire application is one web form; approval email often lands in under 72 hours.
Income proof: 50 000 USD per year, self-declared.
Fee: 2 000 USD flat.
Stay: 12 months, renewable.
Bonus: You can import your car duty-free if you end up staying.
2. Mauritius — Premium Visa
Why: Zero fee, 15-minute upload portal, approval in five days.
Income: 1 500 EUR a month (plus 500 EUR per dependent).
Stay: Up to 12 months, extendable.
Perk: No tax on overseas income kept abroad.
3. Georgia — Remotely From Georgia Permit
Why: No fees; enter visa-free and upload documents after arrival.
Income: 2 000 USD a month or 24 000 USD savings.
Stay: 12 months, with a path to residency.
Extra: Wine tastings count as cultural immersion, not tourist activity.
4. Portugal — D8 Remote Worker Visa
Why: Consulates accept applications via VFS; most documents can be scanned.
Income: 3 040 EUR a month (four times the Portuguese minimum wage).
Stay: Two years, renewable to five, then eligibility for permanent residency.
Perk: Allows Schengen travel and local freelancing after SEF registration.
5. Dubai — Virtual Working Programme
Why: Fully online; 30-day tourist entry covers you while waiting for approval.
Income: 3 500 USD a month.
Fee: 611 USD all-inclusive.
Stay: 12 months, renewable.
Perk: Access to resident banking and annual apartment leases.
6. Croatia — Digital Nomad Residence
Why: Email a PDF to local police; pay about 60 EUR on card pickup.
Income: 2 540 EUR a month or 30 000 EUR in the bank.
Stay: 12 months, then a six-month gap before reapplying.
Perk: Foreign earnings remain tax-free.
7. Malaysia — DE Rantau Pass
Why: Entirely online; approval in four to eight weeks; fee about 225 USD.
Income: 24 000 USD a year.
Stay: Up to 24 months (one-plus-one).
Perk: Discounted coworking desks across the country.
Checklist: PDF bank statement, travel insurance, a recent passport photo and reliable Wi-Fi for the upload. Which visa tops your list?