The news – and social media – have many stories about remote workers, and “digital nomads”. A digital nomad is someone that travels (usually the world) while working remotely. Many stories imply you too can be a digital nomad, but the reality is relatively few can do this.
Those who can, of course, are travel writers, other types of writers, some software developers, and others who are “spreadsheet jockeys” who manipulate data, symbols and information.
Here is a typical example:
- Meagan Drillinger is a travel writer based in New York.
- She spent three months working remotely in Thailand this year as part of their Test & Go program.
- Drillinger says it was an inspiring place with convenient amenities for remote workers.
Many of life’s support services and products, used by digital nomads, depend on most people who still have to work in offices, factories, retail stores, doctors’ offices and so on. “Digital nomads” refers to a generally upper class, relatively elite workers who play with text and numbers and who have grown up “globalized”. The “digital nomad” lifestyle applies to a subset of workers that manipulate text, symbols and numbers, mostly.
Many countries are now offer inexpensive, easy to get, “digital nomad” visas for long term stays. A typical digital nomad visa may cost a few hundred $s (USD) and permit living in a country for 1-2 years, frequently renewable. There are usually requirements that you generate a specific minimum income per year and your income originates from outside the country you will be staying in. The concept of a Digital Nomad visa seems like a “win win” for both nomad workers and the countries they will live in for a time. I expect more countries will add “digital nomad” visas in the future.
