Visas Types – The Basics

Traveling abroad often requires understanding the specific rules and regulations of your destination country. Depending on your nationality and travel purpose, you may or may not need a visa.

For instance, U.S. citizens can visit Canada, Mexico, France, and Italy for up to 90 days within 180 days without applying for a visa in advance. However, travel to Australia, Cuba, India, China, and many other countries requires obtaining a visa in advance.

Additionally, most countries do not allow you to change visa types from within the country. Instead, you typically need to return to your country of origin and apply from there.

Although there are many types of visas, only certain categories apply to expats and digital nomads.

The Most Common Visa Types:

Employment Visa (Visa Sponsorship)

A crucial visa for international workers seeking employment in a foreign country. Applicants usually need to secure a job offer and provide a work contract as part of their visa application.

Business / Innovation Visa

A long-term residency option often available to foreign individuals with expertise in emerging technologies or innovative business sectors.

Travel / Tourist Visas

• Short-Stay Visa (30–180 days):A visa category for travelers staying between 30 and 180 days in a foreign country. These visas typically do not allow you to work inside the country.

• Long-Stay Visa (Over 180 days):A visa for individuals planning to stay in a country for more than six months. These visas often have a one-year validity but can be renewed annually or granted for a specific period of years. Long-stay visas typically do not allow employment unless explicitly stated.

Student Visa (Typically does not allow employment)

A non-immigrant visa permitting international students to enter a country for the purpose of pursuing higher education.

Digital Nomad Visa (Only some countries offer this)

This visa category empowers remote workers to travel and work remotely from foreign countries. Designed to facilitate the nomadic lifestyle of online professionals, it allows them to explore different locations without the complexities of traditional immigration procedures.

Important Note: While digital nomad visas offer flexibility, it’s essential to check the specific regulations of each country. Some may impose restrictions on working locally, requiring remote workers to primarily engage in online activities that don’t involve direct interaction with local clients or businesses.

Investment / Golden Visa

A golden visa, also known as a residence by investment program, grants individuals temporary or permanent residency in a country in exchange for a substantial investment. This investment can take the form of property purchases, company creation, or donations.

Investment amounts range from $55,000 – $1,500,000 USD. Important Note: This may, or may not, be a path to citizenship depending on the country.

Pensioners / Retirement Visa

These visas are designed for individuals seeking to live in a foreign country after retirement. Countries offering such visas include Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Spain, and Thailand.

To qualify for a retirement visa, applicants typically need to prove financial independence — often by demonstrating a stable income (like a pension or investments) sufficient to cover living expenses.

Important Note: Many countries that offer this type of visa impose a minimum age requirement and require applicants to show proof of significant savings. Additionally, these visas may or may not lead to citizenship depending on the country.

If you found this helpful, please check out our other posts!