The Nepal government is prepared to bring the digital nomad visa into operation. The arrangement for it has been proposed in the Economic Reform Implementing Work Plan 2025, issued recently by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Here in this article, we explore what a digital nomad visa is, its benefits, and the process to get one for foreigners from Nepal.
It’s proposed that the government will provide a one-time five-year multiple-entry digital nomad visa to foreigners who want to come and work online in Nepal. For the unaware, a digital nomad visa would promote Nepal’s growing IT base, tourism, and the economy.
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What is a digital nomad visa?
A digital nomad visa is a type of visa that is offered to people who work remotely (online) in a different country. It provides a legal pathway for people such as freelancers, ICT professionals, etc., who wish to go abroad to work for clients. Such a visa allows one to work abroad online, which can be freelancing, entrepreneurship, or graphics, etc.
The term digital nomad visa comes from the idea of a digital nomad. A digital nomad refers to a person who is largely connected online and works away from the traditional comfort of home, office, or even a café.
Someone who works online or remotely while mostly traveling is a digital nomad. It’s safe to say that such individuals can do without residing at home or office space and can work even being at remote places with an active internet connection and a few gadgets.
If approved, digital nomads will bring their working culture into Nepal and also enable cross-cultural exchange. In the meantime, Nepalese will also get to know more about the working practices of nomads abroad.
Digital nomad visa in Nepal
Economic Reform Implementing Work Plan 2025 has mentioned provisions and criteria for the digital nomad visa in Nepal. It states that foreigners meeting the criteria will get up to a year of residential approval.
Economic Reform Implementing Work Plan 2025, issued recently by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, a one-time five-year multiple-entry digital nomad visa will be provided.
The fact that Nepalese earned Rs 67 billion in 2022 by importing ICT services shows that Nepal is a potential hub for ICT services.
Eligibility criteria for a digital nomad visa in Nepal
If you want to apply for a digital nomad visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must earn over $1,500 a month
- Show a bank deposit of $20,000
- Have health insurance coverage of at least $100,000
How to apply for a digital nomad visa in Nepal?
The Department of Immigration provides a digital nomad visa to foreigners who want to come to Nepal for remote work. There could be other government bodies tasked with it. But so far, the idea of this visa is only been proposed. So, everything could be clear-cut in a year.
Tax for digital nomads and benefits
A visa holder needs to pay 5% income tax if they stay over 186 days in Nepal. The individual gets the right to stay in Nepal, open a bank account, and deposit their income at a foreign bank. Such a visa also lets holders purchase and register a vehicle in their name, and their foreign driving licenses are accepted for driving.
If the visa is not renewed after five years, holders can withdraw their bank balance from Nepali bank accounts.
Also: Fonepay And NIPL Bring Nepal-India Cross-Border Payment
Conclusion
The IT industry is currently thriving, and that has also established the idea of a digital nomad in Nepal. Although it’s not always applicable to IT professionals. One can be a traveler who just happens to be connected without being professionally involved. So, digital nomads are people who stay online and connected even when they are remote, away from their home for a large stretch of duration.