For many of us we associate Central and South America with icons like the Panama Canal, the Andes and the Amazon Rainforest. And throw in some great tasting food. And if you dream of reducing your living costs while immersing yourself in another culture, then you could if you qualify for a digital nomad visa to live and work in Central and South America. 

Central and South America spans from Mexico’s southern border to the tip of Chile and is home to some 17 countries. And, a lot of them are introducing digital nomad visas. If Central America and or South America is on your radar for your next digital nomad destination, then read on. 

A quick note here. If you don’t qualify for a digital nomad visa (of which there are some 60+ countries with one) or don’t work online, check out a working holiday visa as there are a number of countries in Central and South America with these. 

 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

 

I am presuming if you are reading this you know what a digital nomad visa is, but let me give you a quick recap. A digital nomad visa is a visa that allows remote workers the opportunity to live and work online in another country. 

Digital nomad visas can be called different names. They can be known as freelance visas, remote worker visas, expat visas, online worker visas, and a number of other unique names. But they work similarly – allowing you to live and work online for an extended period in another country.

 

Digital Nomad Visa Regulations

 

Each country has their own regulations you must meet to get the visa. In general you will need to:

• Complete an application online
• Have a valid passport
• Be earning a certain amount of income and provide proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself
• Have health insurance
• Have no criminal record
• Pay a visa cost

If you qualify for said visa, you can legally live and work for 6+ months in the country. What a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture.

 

Why Live and Work in Central and South America?

 

Why not live and work in Central and South America is what you should be asking yourself. If you are chasing a cheaper lifestyle and great food, then a digital nomad visa should be top of your list. Key reasons to choose a digital nomad visa in either Central or South America:

• Affordable Lifestyle. Yep, the cost of living in most Central American and South American nations, are cheaper and can provide a better lifestyle than your own country. This allows a better quality of life. The technical term for this is geoarbitrage.
• Unique Cultural and Adventure Opportunities. This is my favourite part of any visit to Central and South America. The region is known for its vibrant cities, natural wonders, and unique food. Living and working in Central and South America means you can travel extensively, even visiting another country in a day. And immerse yourself in different cultures. 
• Thriving Tech Scene. Many Central and South American cities are digital nomad hubs. They have the infrastructure all set up including fast Wi-Fi and co-working spaces and cafes to work in. And there are plenty of digital nomad jobs you can do.
• Proximity and Time Zone. Central and South America is a great time zone to live in. No getting up in the middle of the night to take a conference call – well, that will depend on where you clients are!

All very good reasons to live and work in Asia as a digital nomad don’t you think?

 

Countries in Central America and South America with a Digital Nomad Visa

 

At a glance, these are the countries with a digital nomad visa.

Central America countries include: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama.

South America countries include: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay.

 

Countries in Central America with a Digital Nomad Visa

 

Belize, Work Where You Vacation

 

What a great name for a digital nomad – Work Where You Vacation. This digital nomad introduced by Belize is a program tailored for remote workers looking for long-term stays.

 

Costa Rica, Rentista Digital Nomad Visa

 

Enjoy the beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes and vibrant cities of Costa Rica on the long stay visa available. Costa Rica is also a great base in South America for you to launch your travels around the continent. Even better news is the long visa available, the freelancer visa, called the Rentista. It allows individuals a stay of up to two years with the possibility of extending it for another two years. With great Wifi and a cheap cost of living Costa Rica is a good digital nomad destination. The only downside is you must have income from your online work of at least $2500 per month. Otherwise you will need to make a $60,000 deposit into a Costa Rican bank account. Get more details on how you can extend a 90 day tourist visa to a 12 month digital nomad visa in Costa Rice here.

 

El Salvador

 

Offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs with foreign income, requiring proof of stable income and private health insurance.

 

Panama, Short Stay Visa

 

The government of Panama established the Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers in May 2021. This visa allows foreigners to reside in Panama for a minimum of 9 months and work remotely. This kind of remote work can only be done for a foreign corporation or as a freelancer with no ties to the home country. An extra 9-month extension is attainable, bringing the total allowed stay period to 18 months. To apply for this visa contact your nearest Panama embassy or consulate.

 

Countries in South America with a Digital Nomad Visa

 

Argentina

 

Argentina is a must-see destination for travelers because of the country’s diverse landscape, which includes mountains, hills, glaciers, beaches, and even a desert. It’s no wonder that, with everything Argentina offers, people from other countries seek ways to make a fresh start there. On May 21, 2022, the government of Argentina introduced a unique visa for telecommuters. With Argentina’s digital nomad visa, travelers may work remotely for foreign or domestic businesses. The digital nomad visa for Argentina has validity duration of one to three years. Find out more about the Argentina digital nomad and its unique visa here.

 

Brazil

 

Brazil offers  a 1-year visa (renewable for another year) for remote workers earning at least $1,500 USD per month.

 

Columbia

 

Offers a specialised “V” visa for digital nomads.

 

Ecuador, Rentista Visa

 

The Rentista visa, valid for up to two years in Ecuador, provides new opportunities for entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and remote employees. A digital nomad visa for Ecuador may be extended for two years. The application procedure for a digital nomad (Rentista) visa in Ecuador might take up to three months to be granted. A non-refundable application fee of $50 is required and payment of $400 is due upon the visa being approved. If living and working in Ecuador as a digital nomad appeals to you, learn more here.

 

Mexico, Temporary Resident Visa

 

Mexico, south of the USA and north of many South American countries offers the digital nomad or remote worker a great base. It offers cheap accommodation, great wifi and who doesn’t love Mexican food? You can stay in Mexico for up to six months on a tourist visa but the Mexico temporary resident visa is the way to go if you want to stay for a full year in the country. And it can be extended up to three times. 

Mexico is a popular digital nomad destination with Play de Carmen a hotspot because of its infrastructure and large number of digital nomads living there already. Read more about the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa here. It is worth noting, that US nationals can get a 6 month tourist visa for Mexico allowing them to stay longer in the country. This may also be an option.

 

Uruguay

 

Features a straightforward, often no-income-requirement visa for remote workers, valid for 180 days with an extension option.

READ MORE: South America Working Holiday Visas – an alternative to digital nomad visa.

 

Where to Live when You Move to Central or South America

 

Initially you will want some short-term accommodation until you find somewhere long-term to live. Check out Booking.com for short-term accommodation in a hostel or hotel. You could also consider house and pet sitting opportunities at Trusted Housesitters. Having a couple of weeks in short-term accommodation will help you to get your bearings and allow you to set up your tech gear to continue your online work.

 

Don’t Work Online or Don’t Qualify for a Digital Nomad Visa?

 

Not everyone works online and not everyone qualifies for a digital nomad visa. And that doesn’t mean you can’t live and work abroad. There are other visas available that allow you to move abroad or help you travel full-time.

 

Are you ready to discover Central or South America on a digital nomad visa?