The remote work revolution has put Latin America on the radar of anyone who lives connected and invoices in dollars: pleasant weather year-round, breathtaking nature, top-notch cuisine and, moreover, a cost of living that stretches your budget two or three times more than at home. We’re talking about rents under $500, $3 meals and coworking spaces with sea views. Ready to choose your base of operations without your wallet suffering? In this guide we compare 7 digital nomad visas with key data on requirements, duration, fees, processing times and taxation, so you can put your laptop, your VPN and your GitHub repository in the perfect place.
Colombia, Argentina and Brazil: requirements and costs
Colombia has become a magnet thanks to Medellín and Bogotá, and its Digital Nomad Visa (type V), effective since January 2023, allows stays of up to 2 years. The entry barrier is low: monthly income around $900–$1,100 and total fees of about $300–$400, with procedures that are usually resolved in around 30 days. A not insignificant plus is the Cédula de Extranjería, which makes it easier to rent or open a bank account, and if you stay less than 183 days you do not pay taxes on income generated outside the country. Day-to-day costs range between $1,000 and $2,000 per month depending on your lifestyle. To apply, prepare a valid passport (visa-exempt country), proof of remote employment or freelance work for foreign companies, bank statements, health insurance in Colombia, a clean criminal record and a letter from your employer or contracts.
Argentina offers another highly competitive route: its nomad visa, in force since May 2022, grants 180 days extendable by another 180. Although there is no official threshold, a minimum income of about $2,500 per month is estimated. The good news is that the application cost is around $200 and the process takes between 10 and 45 days; additionally, income earned outside the country is not taxed. Living there is especially affordable, with $1,000–$1,500 per month as a reference. Required documents include passport, proof of remote work (employment or freelance contracts), bank statements, valid health insurance, apostilled criminal record, apostilled birth certificate, CV and a letter explaining your source of income.
Brazil was a pioneer in the region with its January 2022 program: it allows 1 year extendable to 2. It requires $1,500 monthly income or $18,000 in savings, and fees vary by nationality between $100 and $300, with a waiting time of 3–4 weeks. Once inside, you register with the Federal Police and obtain a local document that simplifies procedures. If you do not exceed 183 days of presence, you do not pay tax on foreign income. They request a valid passport, proof of employment with a foreign company or freelance activity, bank statements, valid health insurance in Brazil, apostilled criminal records translated into Portuguese, birth certificate (if applying in Brazil) and the corresponding form.
Ecuador and Uruguay: flexible and secure options
Ecuador baptized its alternative as the Rentista Visa for Remote Work in June 2022: it offers up to 2 years extendable by another 2. It requires $1,410 in monthly income (plus $250 for each dependent) and a total fee of $450. Processing can take between 2 and 4 months. For tax purposes, only income generated within the country is taxed, so your foreign salary remains outside the tax radar. Gather a passport with at least 6 months’ validity, a contract or evidence of professional activity outside Ecuador, bank statements for the last 3 months, criminal records valid for 180 days covering the last 5 years and apostilled, health insurance for the whole period (around $45 per person per year) and translations into Spanish of apostilled documents.
Uruguay, the “Switzerland of South America”, prides itself on stability and a nomad route as minimalist as it is effective. Its permit, available since May 2023, grants 6 months and allows extension for another 6, with no minimum income requirement; it’s enough to demonstrate economic self-sufficiency. The procedure costs about $10–$11 and, in many cases, is resolved online in minutes. One particularity: you must apply from within the country, so it’s advisable to enter first as a tourist. The paperwork is straightforward: passport, proof of capacity for remote work, sworn declaration of means of support, vaccination card and, to extend, clean criminal records. Additionally, after 2 years of effective residence (with at least 6 months per year), you could be eligible for permanent residency.
Panama and El Salvador: speed, dollars and long term
Panama has long been attracting international profiles and its short-stay visa for remote workers (since May 2021) allows 9 months extendable up to 18. It requires $3,000 monthly income and fees of $300, with resolutions under 30 days. The country uses U.S. dollars, does not tax foreign income and offers territorial taxation benefits if you stay 9 months or more. One particular detail is that the file must be managed through an immigration lawyer. In the application folder: passport, proof of employment with a foreign company or freelance activity, an employer letter certifying remote work, bank statements, health insurance and certified criminal records. As a highlight, it boasts one of the fastest connections in Central America (94.76 Mbps).
El Salvador joined in April 2025 with one of the most generous programs: up to 4 years in total. The first grant is for 1 year (some receive 2 initially) and you can renew up to the full 4 years. It requires $1,460 per month in income and fees of $40–$70 depending on the consulate, with an approximate processing time of 45 days. For tax purposes, income earned outside the country is not taxed, and monthly expenses can be around $500 excluding rent. It also allows including family members and the country is promoting infrastructure improvements, focusing on wifi and Bitcoin payments. To apply, you will need a passport with 6 months’ validity, proof of remote employment or external freelance work, bank statements that prove the minimum, an employment contract notarized by a Salvadoran lawyer, apostilled criminal records from the last 2 years, international health insurance and translations into Spanish of the documents.
With this map, the question is no longer whether there is a visa for you, but which one best fits your budget, schedule and remote-base plans. Do you prefer ultra-fast processes and minimal fees, or long stays with clear rules? Whichever your choice, there is a program in Latin America ready for you to touch down, open your laptop and start adding productive hours between specialty coffees and inspiring views.
