Most lists of remote work visas mix programmes that let you work with ones that do not, quote floors in three currencies and leave out the fee. This table uses one source for every row: the visa catalogue behind Transita, where each figure is tied to the official page it was read from.
Income is shown as the government publishes it (monthly or yearly), with the yearly USD equivalent next to it so the rows compare. Exchange rates move, so treat the USD side as an estimate.
Remote Work Visas Ranked by Income Floor
| Programme | Income to prove | Fee | Processing | Permit | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy Digital Nomad Visa | EUR 24,789/yr (≈ $28,408/yr) | ≈ $125 | 1–3 months | 1 year | About 5 years |
| Spain Digital Nomad Visa | EUR 34,188/yr (≈ $37,504/yr) | ≈ $80 | 1–2 months | 3 years | About 5 years |
| United Arab Emirates Virtual Work Residence Visa | USD 3,500/mo (≈ $42,000/yr) | ≈ $300 | 1–2 months | 1 year | No direct path |
| Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa | EUR 3,680/mo (≈ $50,607/yr) | ≈ $250 | 2–6 months | 2 years | About 5 years |
| Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professional) | USD 80,000/yr (≈ $80,000/yr) | ≈ $1,470 | 1–3 months | 10 years | No direct path |
The short answer
Why the Lowest Floor Is Not Always the Easiest
Italy shows the trap. Its floor of EUR 24,789/yr (≈ $28,408/yr) is among the lowest in the table, but the Italian Digital Nomad Visa is aimed at highly skilled workers and requires a degree or equivalent qualification. Spain also asks for a degree or several years of experience. Portugal sets a higher floor but no degree test.
Thailand runs the other way. The Long-Term Resident visa for remote professionals asks for USD 80,000/yr (≈ $80,000/yr), and the employer must be listed on a stock exchange or meet a revenue test. It suits a senior employee of a large company and almost nobody else.
Routes With No Fixed Income Floor
Not every route publishes a salary figure. These ask you to show funds or a working freelance business, and the consulate decides whether it is enough.
| Programme | Funds in our data | Fee | Processing | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler) | ≈ $20,000 | ≈ $100 | 3–8 months | About 5 years |
| Destination Thailand Visa | ≈ $14,700 | ≈ $335 | 0–1 months | No direct path |
The German freelancer permit is the best known. It is covered in depth in our Freiberufler visa guide.
Residence Visas That Do Not Let You Work
These turn up on most digital nomad lists, but none of them authorises remote work for an employer. They are for people living on pensions, savings or investment income. Applying on one while you keep a job is a mistake that can cost you the permit.
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: fee ≈ $130, permit 1 year, counts toward residence (about 5 years).
- Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa: fee ≈ $250, permit 2 years, counts toward residence (about 5 years).
- France Long-Stay Visitor Visa: fee ≈ $107, permit 1 year, counts toward residence (about 5 years).
- Thailand Privilege (Membership Visa): fee ≈ $19,100, permit 5 years, no path to residence.
What This Table Does Not Cover
Transita covers 16 destinations. Popular nomad countries outside that set, such as Mexico, Greece, Croatia, Costa Rica or Georgia, are not in our data, so we do not quote their figures here. If one of them is on your list, check its consulate directly.
If you want the other angles on the same programmes, see the longest-running nomad visas and the tax side of each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which remote work visa has the lowest income requirement?
Of the remote work visas Transita tracks, the Italy Digital Nomad Visa has the lowest published income floor: EUR 24,789/yr (≈ $28,408/yr). It also requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent, so the low number is not the whole test.
Which remote work visa asks for the most income?
The Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professional) has the highest floor in our data at USD 80,000/yr (≈ $80,000/yr), and the employer has to meet size or listing conditions as well. It is built for senior employees of large foreign companies, not freelancers.
Is there a remote work visa with no income floor?
Yes. Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler) and Destination Thailand Visa set no fixed salary figure. They ask for proof of funds or a viable freelance business instead, which a consulate judges case by case.
Do remote work visas lead to permanent residence?
4 of the 7 remote work routes in our data count toward permanent residence. The Thai and UAE remote work visas do not, however long you renew them.
Can I work for a local company on a remote work visa?
No. These permits cover work for employers or clients based outside the country. A local job needs a work permit, which usually means employer sponsorship.
Related guides
official sources: §21 AufenthG · make-it-in-germany.com·Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) · exteriores.gob.es·D8 · vistos.mne.gov.pt·Remote Work Residence · gdrfad.gov.ae·DM 29.02.2024 · consnewyork.esteri.it·DTV · thaievisa.go.th·LTR (WFTP) · ltr.boi.go.th