Work and income
Digital nomad visas ranked by how reachable the income threshold actually is.
AbroadMaster research from official immigration pagesVerified August 2026
The one route that needs no employer sponsor and no local job offer, which makes it genuinely reachable from Sri Lanka if you already earn in dollars.
USD 2,000 per month
Minimum monthly income required
E33G remote worker KITAS, one year, renewable
USD 2,000 per month
Minimum monthly income required
DE Rantau Nomad Pass, and the shortest flight home
USD 2,600 per month
Minimum monthly income required
One year, non-renewable, no tax on foreign earnings
| Rank | Country | Minimum monthly income required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | SpainReduced tax rate for the first four years | USD 2,900 per month | Reduced tax rate for the first four years |
| 5th place | Costa RicaOne year, extendable to two, foreign income untaxed | USD 3,000 per month | One year, extendable to two, foreign income untaxed |
| 6th place | PortugalD8 visa, and unusually it does lead to permanent residency | USD 3,500 per month | D8 visa, and unusually it does lead to permanent residency |
| 7th place | United Arab EmiratesOne year virtual work residency, no income tax at all | USD 3,500 per month | One year virtual work residency, no income tax at all |
| 8th place | EstoniaThe first digital nomad visa in the world, still the cleanest process | USD 3,700 per month | The first digital nomad visa in the world, still the cleanest process |
| 9th place | USD 3,900 per month | ||
| 10th place | JapanSix months only, no extension | USD 68,000 per year | Six months only, no extension |
AbroadMaster research from official immigration pages
Verified August 2026
Compiled by AbroadMaster from the official pages of each country named above. There is no single published index behind this list, and we are not claiming one.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and figures change without notice. Confirm anything you plan to act on with the official authority for that country, and check your own position with the eligibility checker.
Average annual pay, adjusted so the figures are actually comparable.
Careers, finances, healthcare and settling in, rated by people who actually moved.
Statutory leave, paid sick days, maternity cover and average hours worked.
