NomadList's Top 10 Cities -- Can You Actually Get a Visa?

NomadList is the go-to platform for digital nomads choosing their next destination. It ranks cities by internet speed, cost of living, weather, safety, and community activity. It is excellent at answering one question: Where would I enjoy living?

It does not answer the question that matters more: Can I legally live there?

We took 10 of NomadList's consistently top-ranked cities and audited them against real visa availability. The results reveal a significant gap between "great place to visit" and "place you can actually relocate to."

NomadList tells you WHERE to go. We tell you IF you can go.

The Audit: 10 Cities, Real Visa Data

City-by-City Breakdown

1. -- Easy

is the gold standard for nomad-friendly visa access. Portugal offers three realistic pathways: the Digital Nomad Visa (EUR 3,510/month remote income, EUR 83 fee), the D7 passive income visa (EUR 760/month passive income), and fund-based Golden Visa (EUR 500,000 investment fund). The DN visa launched in late 2022 and has been refined since. Processing takes 2-4 months. The path to permanent residency is 5 years, citizenship at 5 years with A2 Portuguese.

The catch: is no longer cheap. Rents have surged, and a comfortable nomad lifestyle runs EUR 1,800-2,500/month. Consider Porto, Coimbra, or the Algarve for the same visa at lower cost.

2. Bangkok, Thailand -- Moderate

Thailand features near the top of every nomad list, but legal long-term stay is complicated. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), launched in mid-2024, is the first real option for remote workers: 10,000 THB fee (~EUR 260), 5-year validity with 180-day stays, requires proof of remote work and 500,000 THB income in the prior year. Before DTV, the only options were the expensive Thailand Elite Visa (600,000 THB+) or working illegally on tourist visas.

The catch: The DTV is new and enforcement/renewal processes are still being refined. Working on a tourist visa remains illegal. No path to permanent residency through DTV.

3. Bali (Canggu), Indonesia -- Hard

Bali is NomadList's poster child, but Indonesia has no digital nomad visa. The B211A social/cultural visa allows 180-day stays but explicitly prohibits work. The Second Home Visa requires proof of USD 130,000+ in savings or assets. Most nomads in Bali work on tourist visas in a legal grey area. Indonesia has announced plans for a DN visa but has not formally launched one as of early 2026.

The catch: Enforcement against illegal remote work is increasing. Indonesian tax authorities have signalled interest in taxing remote workers. Long-term, Bali is a risky base without a legal framework.

4. Mexico City, Mexico -- Easy

Mexico is exceptionally accessible. Citizens of most countries receive a 180-day tourist entry on arrival. For longer stays, Temporary Residency requires proof of monthly income (approximately USD 2,500/month or USD 42,000 in savings over 12 months). Mexico does not enforce a specific rule against remote work on tourist entry. The path to permanent residency is 4 years, citizenship at 5 years.

The catch: The 180-day tourist entry is not a visa. Working on it is technically not permitted. Temporary Residency is the proper legal path for anyone staying longer than a few months.

5. Tbilisi, Georgia -- Easy

Georgia is arguably the easiest country in the world for remote workers. The Remotely From Georgia programme requires just USD 2,000/month income, has no application fee, and grants a 1-year stay. Additionally, citizens of 95 countries can enter visa-free for up to one year. Georgia has a flat rate 1% tax on small business income under GEL 500,000. Foreign-sourced income is not taxed for those on the programme.

The catch: Georgia does not have a clear path to permanent residency for remote workers. After your year, you must reapply or find another basis for staying. It is excellent as a temporary base, less so as a permanent home.

6. Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Easy

Argentina launched its Rentista Digital (Digital Nomad) visa, allowing remote workers to stay for up to 6 months (renewable for another 6). Citizens of many countries also get 90-day visa-free entry. Argentina's economic situation makes it extremely affordable for foreign-currency earners, though inflation creates complexity in daily life.

The catch: Argentina's currency instability means costs fluctuate significantly. The official vs. parallel exchange rate creates complications for financial planning.

7. Medellin, Colombia -- Moderate

Colombia's Digital Nomad Visa requires income of at least 3x the Colombian minimum wage (approximately USD 3,900/month in 2026). This is higher than many other DN visas and prices out lower-earning freelancers. The visa lasts up to 2 years. Citizens of many countries also receive 90-day visa-free entry.

The catch: The income threshold is relatively High compared to Medellin's cost of living (EUR 900-1,400/month). You need to earn 3-4x your living costs to qualify for the visa.

8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- Moderate

Malaysia's DE Rantau programme targets digital professionals specifically in the technology and digital sectors. It requires USD 24,000/year in income and restricts eligibility to specific professional categories (IT, digital marketing, content creation, etc.). The programme grants a 3-12 month professional visit pass.

The catch: DE Rantau is sector-restricted. If you are not in tech/digital, Malaysia lacks a general DN visa. The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme requires significantly higher financial commitments (MYR 500,000 fixed deposit for those under 50).

9. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -- Hard

Vietnam offers no digital nomad visa. The 90-day e-visa is the longest single-entry option for most nationalities. Work permits require Vietnamese employer sponsorship and are complex to obtain. There is no passive income visa, no freelancer visa, and no clear legal framework for remote workers. Most long-term nomads in Vietnam rely on repeated e-visa entries, which offers zero long-term stability.

The catch: Vietnam is cheap and increasingly popular, but it is one of the hardest top nomad destinations to stay in legally long-term.

10. Barcelona, Spain -- Easy

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups) launched in 2023. It requires proof of remote income of at least EUR 2,520/month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage). The visa grants 1-year residency, renewable for 3 years. Spain also offers Non-Lucrative Visas for those with passive income and Entrepreneur Visas for business founders. The DN visa includes access to Spain's Beckham Law tax regime (flat rate 24% on Spanish income up to EUR 600,000 for 6 years).

The catch: Processing times for Spanish visas are longer than most EU countries (3-6 months). Barcelona is expensive by Spanish standards (EUR 1,500-2,200/month).

The Scorecard

Only 5 out of 10 of NomadList's top cities offer straightforward visa access for remote workers. Two of the most popular destinations (Bali and Ho Chi Minh City) have no legal framework for digital nomads at all.