Germany, Portugal, Spain, Mexico and Dubai offer remote work visas.
The new coronavirus pandemic has induced a series of social changes all over the world. One of the main ones, with regard to the Economy, was the need for social isolation and the resulting use of the home office, of course, for posts and businesses with this option in their types of business. And it seems that the change is here to stay: most of the businesses that implanted remote work in 2020 aim to continue following this model, even in a year with the expectation of mass vaccination against Covid-19.
And this change reinforces, in an adapted manner, the great desire of many: to live and work abroad. And this is because it is possible not only to plan a change of nationality, but also to find public policies that encourage the home office for foreigners. To this end, countries such as Germany, Spain, Mexico, Portugal and Dubai issue visas for those who wish to work legally and remotely.
In Germany, there is a visa called “Freiberufler” (Freelancer, in a free translation), earmarked especially for digital nomads. With a possible extension of up to 3 years, the “Freiberufler”, the tourist, receives from the local fiscal office a classification of “liberal” freelancer, instead of a profession with commercial purposes. This being done, the candidate must present proof of income, travel insurance, besides letter(s) of recommendation from previous employers. In Berlin, exclusively, there is an artist visa that can be requested by musicians, writers and painters.
In Spain, the autonomous worker visa is a special permission that allows the tourist to live and work anywhere on Spanish territory for a maximum period of one year. First of all, the candidate must undergo a verification of his documents, which must include an affidavit that there are no criminal antecedents. Learn more about the employment bond agreement for autonomous workers in this link: https://bit.ly/3ddRudx
Still on European soil, in Portugal, there is a visa for tourists. Called Visto D2, the document is part of a special program for entrepreneurs from other countries, to allow them temporary residence as autonomous workers. To this end, the candidate must show that his professional skills are needed in Portugal. So, while still in Brazil, you must go to the nearest Visa Application Center. In case you are already in Portugal, go to the Foreigners and Frontiers Service (SEF) for information about the program.
In America, in the center of the continent, Mexico offers tourists a temporary residence visa. With a deadline of up to 4 years, the document allows Brazilians to live and work anywhere on Mexican territory, legally and in home office. To be eligible for the process, you must have a monthly income of over US$1,620 (about R$8,350), or a bank balance of over US$27 thousand (+- R$139 thousand). It’s worth noting that, for Brazilians, there is an automatic liberation of work and residency for up to 180 days with no need for a visa.
Lastly, our next stop is in Dubai. With the implementation of the “program for virtual work”, Dubai intends to allow remote workers from all over the world, as well as their families, to remain in the city for up to one year, for the price of US$ 287, added to health insurance that covers the United Arab Emirates, and a tax for the processing of each person and an affidavit of a monthly income equal or superior to US$ 5,000. In return, the visa allows for the opening of a local bank account, a telephone number, enrollment of children in Dubai’s schools and access to the country’s public services.
