You don't always need a local company to get long-term residency. Here are the routes that only require remote income.
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.
No UAE company required. Requires $3,500+/month from foreign sources.
No Thai company required. Requires $40,000+/yr and a Thai consulate application.
No Portuguese company required. Requires ~€3,480+/month and proof of accommodation.
No Spanish company required. Requires ~€2,646/month from non-Spanish sources.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.