Digital Nomad Visa Requirements of Croatia and United Arab Emirates

If you're a digital nomad, you might be interested in the visa options available to you in different countries. In this post, we'll be comparing the digital nomad visa requirements of Croatia and United Arab Emirates.

Croatia

Croatia is a beautiful country located in the Mediterranean known for its stunning coastline and rich history. Let's take a look at the digital nomad visa program offered by Croatia.

Digital Nomad Visa Program

The cost for applying for the digital nomad visa through embassy/consulate is €60. The cost of applying through a police station is €45 for granting temporary stay, €10 for administrative fees, and €30 or €60 for urgent issues related to residence card. The cost of applying online is €45 for administrative fees and €30 or €60 for residence permit, or urgent issues related to residence permit.

Individuals applying for the visa must have a monthly income of at least 17.822,50 Kuna. Every additional family member must have a monthly income of 712,90 Kuna. Personal income tax and social security will not be payable on receipts of natural persons earned on the basis of employment or conducting work for a party which is not registered in Croatia, on the basis of the acquired status of the digital nomad.

To apply, applicants must submit a background check document that shows they have not been convicted of criminal offenses in their home country or from a country where they have stayed for more than a year. The visa is valid for one year and allows digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers to stay in Croatia. The applicant must be a third-country national and working for a company that is registered abroad, not in Croatia.

Applicants must provide an application form, proof of travel purpose, a passport valid for more than three months (which must be notarized and translated to Croatian if it is not in English), a health insurance policy that covers the entire intended stay in Croatia, and proof of sufficient funds to support themselves. Additionally, a marriage certificate is required for a family member of a digital nomad, and the address of stay in Croatia must be provided.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, located in the Middle East, offers a Virtual Working Programme for digital nomads. Let's take a closer look at this visa program.

Virtual Working Programme

The cost for the Virtual Working Programme, including application fees, processing fees, pre-application medical exam, and Emirates ID, is US$611.

Applicants must have a minimum monthly salary of US$5,000 and hold a passport valid for at least six months. They must also have a health insurance policy with UAE coverage validity and proof of employment from their current employer with a one-year contract validity. Business owners must provide proof of ownership of their business and should have an average monthly income of US$5,000, along with three preceding months' bank statement. The visa is valid for one year and is renewable upon re-application.

Virtual Program document holders and their dependents cannot perform work for a local employer in Dubai or provide any services to any person or entity carrying out business in Dubai.

Conclusion

If you're considering becoming a digital nomad and are looking for visa options, Croatia and United Arab Emirates both offer attractive programs. However, there are differences in their requirements that you should consider before applying. Croatia's Digital Nomad Visa requires a lower income requirement, but applicants must have a clean criminal record and provide a background check document. United Arab Emirates requires a higher income and provides a Virtual Working Programme that is renewable upon re-application. Ultimately, which program to choose depends on your individual preferences and work requirements.