(TAN): Estonia is set to create a “digital nomad visa” which would allow foreigners to come to the country as a visitor and continue to live there while working for an overseas employer.
Digital nomads typically use telecommunications technologies to work remotely from foreign shores, co-working spaces, coffee shops or recreational vehicles.
The Estonian Parliament recently amended its existing laws to launch this visa, thus becoming one of the few countries to offer this arrangement.
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The Northern European nation’s interior ministry said the visa, which will be approved for both short- and long-term stays, will enable internationals working independent of time and location primarily in areas of technology, finance or marketing to work in Estonia.
The country’s Minister of the Interior Mart Helme said the visa will not only improve Estonia’s reputation as an “e-state” but will also help in exporting “e-solutions” as a step to boost its economy.
“A digital nomadsvisa strengthens Estonia’s image as an e-state and thus enables Estonia to have a more effective say on an international scale. It also contributes to the export of Estonian e-solutions, which is especially important in recovering from the current economic crisis,” he said.
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Helme said digital nomad visas will be issued following the same procedures that are used in case of any other visa, adding that “by default, no digital nomad is entitled to a visa and their background is checked as carefully as for other visa applicants”.
The Digital Nomad Visa Program will be applied in phases – the first stage will see foreigners who prove they are digital nomads being eligible to apply for the visa. Estonia’s interior ministry said around 1,800 individuals are expected to qualify for application of the visa per year.
“In the future, solutions are being developed that will enable the integration of other Estonian e-government solutions, especially e-residency, with the digital nomad visa. The program offered by a reliable service provider is planned in the future,” the ministry said.
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