Residency Without a Local Company
You don't always need a local company to get long-term residency. Here are the routes that only require remote income.
Who this guide is for
- Digital nomads who want long-term residency without the overhead of a local company
- Remote employees who want to live legally in a country for 1+ years
- Founders who already have a foreign company and don't want to form another
The practical problem
Many nomads form local companies purely to qualify for a residency visa, when in fact remote-work visas and digital nomad visa routes exist specifically for people with existing foreign income. Forming a local company adds cost and compliance burden that is unnecessary for most remote workers.
Your options
UAE Remote Work Visa
No UAE company required. Requires $3,500+/month from foreign sources.
Thailand DTV
No Thai company required. Requires $40,000+/yr and a Thai consulate application.
Portugal D8
No Portuguese company required. Requires ~€3,480+/month and proof of accommodation.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
No Spanish company required. Requires ~€2,646/month from non-Spanish sources.
Documents typically needed
- Passport
- Income evidence (employment contract or freelance contracts)
- Bank statements
- Health insurance
- Proof of accommodation
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forming a local company unnecessarily just to get a residency visa
- Not checking whether your income qualifies under each visa's specific definition
How Nomadic Go helps
Nomadic Go handles all remote-work visa applications for UAE, Thailand, Portugal, and Spain. We identify the right route for your income level and situation.
Frequently asked questions
Which residency visa has the lowest income requirement?
Spain's digital nomad visa has one of the lower income thresholds (~EUR 2,646/month). UAE remote work visa requires $3,500/month. Portugal D8 requires ~EUR 3,480/month.
Can I get UAE residency without forming a UAE company?
Yes. The UAE Remote Work Visa provides UAE residency for people earning $3,500+/month from non-UAE sources, without requiring a UAE company. This is one of the few UAE residency routes that does not require a local entity.
What happens after the Thailand DTV expires?
After the 5-year DTV period, you would need to apply for a new DTV from a Thai consulate outside Thailand, or transition to another long-term visa category if you qualify by that time.
Do I need health insurance for all these residency routes?
Yes. All major digital nomad visa routes (UAE, Thailand, Portugal, Spain) require health insurance as part of the application. The minimum coverage requirements differ by country. UAE requires DHA-approved insurance. Thailand requires THB 40,000 inpatient coverage minimum.
Can I work for clients in the destination country on a remote work visa?
No. Remote work visas specifically restrict you to working for foreign clients and employers. Working for local clients without the appropriate work permit violates visa conditions and can result in deportation and future entry bans.