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.
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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
Remote-work route without a Thai employer; consulate-specific application and financial evidence apply. Do not assume a $40,000 annual income test.
Portugal D8
Remote work for entities outside Portugal; consular income benchmark is 4× Portuguese minimum wage (€3,680/month in 2026). Verify current accommodation evidence with the consulate.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
No Spanish company required. The main applicant must show 200% of Spain's minimum wage (the Spanish consulate lists €2,442 monthly for 2026); eligibility varies by work category.
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.
Important limitations: Nomadic Go provides assistance and coordination services only. We do not guarantee approval of any bank account, visa, or company registration application. All final decisions rest with the relevant bank, government authority, or regulatory body. We do not provide tax advice, legal opinions, or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which residency visa has the lowest income requirement?
Compare current consular rules rather than relying on historical fixed amounts. Portugal's official remote-work checklist uses 4× Portuguese minimum wage (€3,680/month in 2026); other countries use different calculations and family supplements.
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?
Check the specific visa route and consulate. The published Thailand DTV Workcation checklist from the Los Angeles consulate does not list the THB 40,000 inpatient minimum; do not apply another visa category's insurance rules to the DTV.
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.
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