Ranking the Best Digital Nomad Visas for 2025

+ IRS ditches paper checks

Author

Mike Berner
September 16, 2025

THIS WEEK ABROAD

In today’s issue, we spotlight the brand-new 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, breaking down where visas, taxes, and quality of life stack up for remote workers. We also take a fresh look at South Dakota residency — once the go-to expat tax hack — and explain why it’s lost its shine. Finally, don’t miss an IRS update: paper refund checks are officially history, with all payments moving to electronic deposit after September 30.

Let’s dive in 👇

Residency Radar

🌍 NEW REPORT RANKS DIGITAL NOMAD VISAS FOR 2025

For U.S. expats and aspiring digital nomads, choosing the right country has never been more strategic.

Global Citizen Solutions just released its 2025 digital nomad report showing where you’ll find the best mix of visas, taxes, and quality of life…and where red tape or tax traps still lurk.

A few key highlights:

👥 Who Are Digital Nomads Now

  • About 79% of nomads earn more than US$50,000/year; average earnings are roughly US$124,000 annually.

  • Passport power matters: nomads from countries with strong passports (U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, Netherlands) dominate mobility. Weaker-passport holders face more friction and have fewer nomad visa options.

🌍 Digital Nomad Visa Trends

  • Over 90% of DNV (digital nomad visa) programs tracked (58/64) started after 2020.

  • The one-year renewable visa is now the global standard. Many nations allow extensions or renewals (around 76.6% of programs).

  • A handful of countries offer longer-term stays: e.g. Taiwan with a 3-year renewable visa; Colombia, Ecuador, etc., with 2-year extendables.

💡 Tax, Mobility & Residency

  • Most countries still use worldwide taxation (~53%) for residents, which means mobile workers must carefully plan to avoid double taxation. Only about 6% of countries offer hybrid regimes with nomad-friendly tax benefits.

  • Only 3 of the 64 programs explicitly link digital nomad visas to citizenship (e.g. Spain, Greece, Czechia). Some others allow pathways to permanent residency, but the majority do not.

🌟 Quality of Life & Infrastructure

  • Europe leads in combining high quality of life, healthcare, safety, infrastructure, and visa clarity. Countries like Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands are top picks.

  • Regions such as Eastern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia offer compelling trade-offs: lower daily costs + decent infrastructure, though internet or connectivity still lag in some places.

Video of the Week

▶️SOUTH DAKOTA RESIDENCY IN 2025

Several years ago, getting South Dakota tax residency was one of the biggest hacks for U.S. expats and nomads. Today, not so much.

Our new video outlines how you can obtain South Dakota residency, as well as why it is no longer a golden tax ticket.

Visa & Tax Corner

📢IRS OFFICIALLY ELIMINATES PAPER CHECKS

The old-fashioned paper tax refund check, emblazoned with the words United States Treasury and the Statue of Liberty’s image, is going the way of the dodo.

Pursuant to a recent executive order to modernize federal payments, the IRS will cease issuing paper checks after September 30. All payments will now be made electronically. (The order also applies to the Social Security Administration and the VA.)

For expats and nomads who extended their 2024 tax filing to October, make sure that you provide your banking information for direct deposit when you file your return. If you don't have a bank account, you can sign up for a government-issued Direct Express prepaid debit card or another digital payment option.

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