Mauritius has a joined a list of countries which offer long term stay visas, ideal for people who want to visit a country for an extended period of time and for digital nomads who can work from just about anywhere.
Mauritius Long Term Stay Visa
The new Mauritius 'premium travel visa' will allow non-citizens to stay for up to one year and is open to anyone whether a tourist, retiree or a professional willing to come with his/her family and carry out his business or work remotely from Mauritius. To qualify for the Premium Visa, interested visitors must produce proof of their long stay plans and sufficient travel and health insurance for the initial period of stay and meet certain criteria.
Contact Seeff Mauritius for more information about this visa and assistance to find suitable accommodation. You might love it so much that you decide to buy a property on the island and live there forever.
Other countries which offer long terms stay visas include the below. Each country has a particular set of criteria that will need to be met.
Antigua and Barbuda
The island nation’s Nomad Digital Residence visa is valid for 2 years and costs $1,500 (around R25,000) for an individual, $2,000 (R32,500) for a couple and $3,000 (R50,000) for a family of three or more. Applicants must prove that they can support themselves and family members with a minimum income of at least US$50,000 per year (R812,000). They should also have health insurance and prove that they are employed by a foreign company.
Barbados
Barbados has a similar set-up with their 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa. Applicants must have a minimum annual income of at least $50,000 (R812,000). The cost is $2,000 (R32,500) per remote worker.
Bermuda
Bermuda offers a 1-year Visa. The cost is $263 (R4,300) and you need to prove employment and sufficient income.
Estonia
Estonia’s new Digital Nomad Visa hopes to encourage foreigners, especially those in tech, finance and marketing, to stay longer in what has been called, “Europe’s Silicon Valley”. Eligibility for a visa of up to 1 year depends on proving active employment for a company outside of Estonia and steady income of at least €3,504 per month.
Georgia
Georgia’s Digital Nomad Visa aims to attract remote workers including freelancers, the self-employed and salaried who can apply for a visa which will allow them to work and stay legally for between 6 months and a year.
Germany
The German “Freibe Berufe” Visa is an attractive option for those freelancers working in what is referred to as “liberal professions” which, according to German immigration law, are people working as freelancers in tax, business consulting, information technology, linguistics, law, scientific research and healthcare. They also welcome artists, who can apply for a specific artist visa to live and work in Berlin. Visas are typically granted for 3 months and can be converted into residence permits which can be extended for up to 3 years if you prove the success of your freelance business or artistic endeavours.
United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
In response to the decimation of its tourism industry amid Covid-19, the Dubai government announced one of the most attractive digital worker visa programmes. For as little as $287 (almost R5,000) you could enjoy most of the benefits UAE residents have, for up to a year. The One-year Virtual Working Programme offers applicants and their families the comfort of living in one of the world’s most connected and cosmopolitan cities while having access to some of the fastest internet speeds in the world.
(Source: Businessinsider.co.za)