Have you ever dreamed of working not from an office, but from a beach in another country? Or maybe a bustling café in a historic city? The rise of remote work has made this possible for many people. This trend has led to the creation of "digital nomad" visas, which allow people to live and work in a foreign country for an extended period. In this lesson, we'll explore some of these new visas, compare their requirements, and discuss what it takes to become a global worker.
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The dream of working from anywhere is becoming a reality for many.
Hook: Your Dream Work Destination
Work with a partner. If you could work remotely from any country in the world for six months, where would you go? Why? Discuss these questions:
- What country would you choose?
- What makes that country attractive to you for remote work? (e.g., culture, cost of living, weather, activities)
- What challenges might you face?
Information Scan: The Digital Nomad Visa Boom
Many countries are now offering special visas for remote workers, often called "digital nomad" or "workation" visas. Let's look at the requirements for three countries that recently launched new options: Japan, South Korea, and Italy.
Read the information for each country. Pay attention to the duration, income requirements, and other key rules.
Japan: Digital Nomad Visa
Japan launched its visa for digital nomads in early 2024. It is designed to attract high-skilled professionals to live and work in the country for a short period.
- Visa Duration: Up to 6 months. It cannot be renewed; you must leave Japan before applying again.
- Income Threshold: You must prove an annual income of at least ¥10 million Japanese Yen (approximately $64,000 USD). This is a relatively high income requirement.
- Eligible Nationalities: Citizens from 49 countries that have tax treaties with Japan are eligible to apply. This includes countries in the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia, and South Korea.
- Health Insurance: You must have private health insurance.
- Dependents: A spouse and children can accompany the visa holder.
South Korea: "Workation" Visa
South Korea's new "workation" (work + vacation) visa, launched in 2024, aims to boost the local economy by attracting long-term visitors who continue to earn foreign income.
- Visa Duration: Up to 1 year, with the possibility to renew for another year (total of 2 years).
- Income Threshold: Applicants must prove their income was more than 85 million South Korean Won (approximately $62,000 USD) in the previous year. This is double the country's Gross National Income (GNI).
- Key Requirement: You must have worked in your current industry for at least one year.
- Health Insurance: You must have private health insurance that covers your entire stay.
- Dependents: A spouse and children can join you, but they cannot work in South Korea.
Italy: visto per nomadi digitali
After years of planning, Italy officially launched its digital nomad visa in April 2024. It targets highly skilled remote workers who want to experience "la dolce vita" (the sweet life).
- Visa Duration: This is a long-term residence permit, valid for up to 1 year. It can be renewed.
- Income Threshold: The minimum annual income required is around €28,000 (approximately $30,000 USD). This income must come from legal remote work sources. The income threshold is lower than Japan's or South Korea's.
- Key Requirements: You must provide proof of accommodation in Italy for your stay and have a clean criminal record.
- Health Insurance: You must have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of your stay.
- Dependents: Family members can also apply for residence permits.
Vocabulary: The Language of Visas
When you read about visas, you will see some specific legal and financial terms. Let's review some key vocabulary.
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| income threshold | The minimum amount of money you must earn to be eligible for something. | Japan's visa has a high income threshold of ¥10 million. |
| eligible for | Having the right qualities or meeting the necessary conditions. | You are eligible for this visa if you are from one of the 49 listed countries. |
| dependents | A person, such as a spouse or child, who relies on another person for financial support. | The visa allows the main applicant to bring their dependents. |
| residence permit | An official document that allows a foreign national to live in a country for a specific period. | After your visa is approved, you will receive a residence permit. |
| provide proof of | To show official documents that something is true. | You must provide proof of your income and health insurance. |
| apply for | To make a formal request for something, like a job or a visa. | I plan to apply for the workation visa next month. |
Grammar: Making Comparisons
When deciding between different options, like these visas, we need to make comparisons. We use comparative adjectives to compare two things. For longer adjectives (like 'expensive' or 'complicated'), we use 'more' or 'less'. For shorter adjectives (like 'high' or 'long'), we add '-er'.
Remember the structure: (Noun 1) is (comparative adjective) than (Noun 2).
| Noun 1 | Verb | Comparative Adjective | than | Noun 2 |
| The income threshold for Japan | is | higher | than | Italy's. |
| The visa duration in South Korea | is | longer | than | Japan's. |
| The application process | might be | more complicated | than | you think. |
| Italy's income requirement | is | lower | than | South Korea's. |
Decision Task: Which Visa is Best?
Work in small groups. Read about the three people below. They all want to get a digital nomad visa. Using the information from the articles, discuss which country (Japan, South Korea, or Italy) would be the best option for each person. Use comparative language in your discussion.
Be ready to share your group's reasoning with the class.
Persona 1: Aisha
- A junior software developer from India.
- Annual income: ~$45,000 USD.
- She is single and wants to stay for at least one year to explore the country.
Persona 2: Leo
- A freelance graphic designer from Canada.
- Annual income: ~$70,000 USD.
- He wants to bring his wife (who doesn't work) and their 5-year-old child.
Persona 3: Sofia
- An online English teacher from the UK.
- Annual income: ~$30,000 USD.
- She is looking for the most affordable option for a 6-month cultural experience.
Micro-Write: Social Media Savvy
Imagine your school wants to post a short tip on its social media page (like X or Instagram) for students interested in remote work. The post should be 140 characters or less.
Think about the most important things someone should check before planning to work abroad. What are the absolute must-dos? Brainstorm some ideas for a post.
"Want to work from abroad? ✈️ Make sure you're eligible for a visa, check the income threshold, and get health insurance! #DigitalNomad #WorkAbroad #StudySmart"
Wrap-up: Risks & Responsibilities
Being a digital nomad sounds exciting, but it also comes with serious responsibilities. It's not just a long vacation. Discuss these questions with your group.
- Taxes: If you work in another country, where do you pay taxes? In your home country? The host country? Both? What problems could arise if you don't manage your taxes correctly?
- Health: Why is private health insurance a mandatory requirement for almost all digital nomad visas? What are the risks of living abroad without it?
- Community: What responsibilities do digital nomads have to the local communities they live in? How can they contribute positively?
Local Angle: What About...?
Think about a country that is popular for people from your home country to visit or work in.
- Does this country offer a digital nomad visa?
- If you don't know, what do you think the requirements (like income, duration) might be? Why?
- Compare your ideas with a partner.