With the rise of digital nomads, it has become increasingly common for tech professionals to live and work in countries other than their place of birth. Cities like Dubai, Bali, and Barcelona have become top destinations, creating a never-ending holiday loop. With the AI war now in full swing, governments have been further relaxing immigration policies to attract top tech talents and investors. Many now offer residential permits to allow these professionals into their countries with less hassle.
However, not every country offers the same processing experience, which can be the defining factor for many digital nomads. We spent the last few days comparing notes and policies to find the country offering the fastest long-term residency permits for tech professionals.
Below are 8 countries where long-term residency is easier and faster to obtain, offering clearer pathways to live, work, and remain legally, even without becoming a citizen.
/1. Portugal
Easiest Visa: D7 Visa
Income or Investment Required: €920 ($1,092) per month
Work Rights: Accommodating to remote workers and freelancers, allowing them to work for non-Portuguese companies.
Duration of Residency: An initial 2-year residence permit, which is renewable for a subsequent 3-year period, after which you can apply for permanent residency after 5 years of legal residency.
Physical Stay:183 days/year or 8 months total
Processing Timeline: 6 to18 months
Family Inclusion: Allows main applicants to include immediate family members in their application for residency.
/2. Panama
Easiest Visa: Qualified Investor Visa (Golden Visa)
Income or Investment Required: Minimum $300,000 in approved real estate, or $500,000 in the Panama stock market or government bonds.
Work Rights: Grant holders the legal right to live, work, and study in Panama
Duration of Residency: Direct Permanent Residency
Physical Stay: At least once every two years to maintain your status.
Processing Timeline: Usually within 30 to 60 days.
Family Inclusion: Allows family members with immediate permanent residence.
/3. Vanuatu
Easiest Visa: Permanent Residency (Green Card) visa
Income or Investment Required: $7,450 for individuals ($9,900 for families)
Work Rights: No restrictions to live, study, and work in Vanuatu.
Duration of Residency: Typically issued for a duration of 10 years, which is renewable
Physical Stay: No requirements to live in or visit the country
Processing Timeline: Within 5 to 7 days.
Family Inclusion: Spouses and dependent children can be included in the application.
/4. Antigua and Barbuda
Easiest Visa: Nomad Digital Residence program
Income or Investment Required: A minimum income of $50,000 annually.
Work Rights: Grants remote working access to holders to work for companies based outside Antigua and Barbuda
Duration of Residency: Valid for 2 years and renewable
Physical Stay: No strict minimum physical presence requirement
Processing Timelines: Can take up to 14 days.
Family Inclusion: Allows family inclusion but with an extra cost of $3,000 for a family of 3 dependents.
/5. Thailand
Easiest Visa: Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa
Income or Investment Required: Minimum of $1,600 per person
Work Rights: Grants legal permission to work in Thailand.
Duration of Residency: Valid for 10 years, after which you can renew
Physical Stay: No minimum physical presence requirement
Processing Timeline: Takes roughly 1 to 3 months
Family Inclusion: Allows dependents with no limit on the number.
/6. Spain
Easiest Visa: Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Income or Investment Required: €28,800 ($34,211) per year for the main applicant, plus €7,200 ($8,552) for each dependent.
Work Rights: Spain’s NLV strictly prohibits working, even remotely.
Duration of Residency: Now valid for 1 year from its previous 90-day period and is renewable for 2 years
Physical Stay: 183 days per year
Processing Timeline: 1 to 4 months.
Family Inclusion: Allows the inclusion of close family members.
/7. Mexico
Easiest Visa: Temporary Residency visa
Income or Investment Required: Monthly income of $4,000 per month or $76,000 in savings.
Work Rights: Offers the right to work in Mexico, whether remotely or onsite
Duration of Residency: Valid for 6 months for a single entry, after which you can exchange it for a residency card valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually for up to 4 years.
Physical Stay: Does not have a strict minimum physical stay requirement, but you must exchange your pre-approved visa for a resident card within 30 days of arriving in Mexico
Processing Timeline: Takes roughly 3 months, including the visa exchange for a residency card.
Family Inclusion: Only through Family Unity (Unidad Familiar), which is granted when you hold a Mexican temporary resident card.
/8. Serbia
Easiest Visa: Residency Permit
Income or Investment Required: At least €50,000 ($59,400) investment in a Serbian company or income of €1,000 ($1,187) per month.
Work Rights: Offers the right to work
Duration of Residency: Issued for up to 3 years.
Physical Stay: No more than 10 months of total absence or one 6-month absence if you want to apply for permanent residency.
Processing Timeline: Typically, 30 to 35 working days
Family Inclusion: Allows family inclusion through a family reunification program.
David Adubiina
