If you can work anywhere, why work from home?

Digital nomads can fully immerse themselves in their environment while advancing their careers and bolstering the local economy. There is, however, a possible disadvantage.

Employers are increasingly receptive to the concept of working from home, in part because of the COVID pandemic. But why work from home when you can work from anywhere in the world with digital nomad visas? Digital nomad visas make it easier than ever for remote workers to live abroad for extended periods of time, while boosting the local economy.

For each New Yorker who adores the city, there is someone who abhors it. If it were up to them, they would prefer to live (and work) in the countryside or near the beach, in a house with a large backyard with plenty of space for barbeques and garden parties, and where they wake up to the sound of birds tweeting instead of construction drills breaking concrete.

These individuals reside in New York City not by choice, but because they signed an employment contract there. They make Power Point presentations for investment banks, review student applications at local universities, or work for any of the thousands of other large and small companies that have established themselves within the city's borders, and demand the same of their employees. It is a dilemma with which many workers around the world, regardless of location, can identify.

Until recently, if you wanted to work somewhere, you had to live within driving (or commuting) distance of your place of employment. Now, more and more employers are becoming receptive to the concept of remote work, in part because of the COVID pandemic. Remote work allows employees to work from anywhere in the world, not just from home. This means that those dissatisfied New Yorkers could theoretically trade their cramped inner-city apartments for a spacious condo in the Caribbean and still arrive on time for work.

visas for digital nomads, explained

What do you think? Requesting permission from your employer and submitting an application for a nomad visa are all that are required. Ultimately, employers and migration offices make it possible for individuals to work abroad. When the pandemic began, many companies wished for their employees to return to work as soon as possible. They feared that productivity would plummet without direct supervision. Numerous studies have since dispelled this concern, prompting major corporations such as Twitter to permit and promote remote work even after COVID restrictions were lifted.

Governments are also facilitating work abroad with programs that are frequently referred to as "digital nomad visas." A digital nomad visa is an immigration document that allows the holder to reside in a country for an extended period of time. The allure of digital nomad visas is evident: employees may apply if they desire a change of pace and environment. Additionally, digital nomad visas provide a more culturally enriching experience than a typical vacation, allowing employees to fully immerse themselves in their new surroundings without having to put their careers on hold.

Obviously, each nation has its own entry requirements. In most cases, digital nomad visa applications require proof of income and remote employment. These measures ensure that employees, who are referred to as "digital nomads" once they move abroad, are able to support themselves during their stay without having to compete for local jobs. (More on this momentarily.) Travel insurance is also required for digital nomads, for obvious reasons. The majority of visa applications cost approximately $1,000 and allow for stays between six months and two years, with the option to extend the visa once the initial period expires.

the surprising advantages of nomad visas

The concept of nomad visas is welcomed by more than just digital nomads. Journalists, psychologists, and economists have all identified advantages of these immigration programs for the global economy. First and foremost, nomad visas make it simpler than ever for workers to travel between regions of the globe. This is especially important for countries with strict immigration policies, such as Japan, where employees and their families must frequently wait years to obtain work or residence permits.

how does working abroad affect mental health?

Working in a foreign country may have a negative effect on your mental health, which is the only notable drawback of digital nomad visa programs. The Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University found in a 2018 study that employees who travel two weeks or more per month for work are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than employees who remain at home or in the office. These conditions are exacerbated by other difficulties we face on the go, such as unhealthy eating and drinking, lack of exercise, and sleep deprivation.

It is unclear if these conditions apply to digital nomads as well. However, anecdotal evidence paints a picture that is somewhat alarming. Writing for Insider, longtime digital nomad and psychologist Carolin Müller admits that working abroad is not always a positive experience. Outside of your comfort zone and surrounded by new stimuli, it can be challenging to stay on top of your work and get enough rest.