By now, you’ll have heard the rumours about Digital Nomad visas; the sought-after work program that will let you work from anywhere in the world.
It sounds too good to be true. But thousands of UK workers have already swapped stale grey offices for sun, sand, and greater spending power. Now is the ideal time to start shopping around; 49 countries such as Italy and Japan have unveiled their own scheme.
You’ll need to be in the right job to qualify for this professional passport, however. Naturally, your role must be fully-remote and align with client expectations. You might also need to be online during UK work hours if you are working full-time for an employer.
Want to move careers and countries? Below, we’ve listed seven remote job types that are ideal for those seeking to become a Digital Nomad in 2024.
1. Dropshipper
Dropshipping nomads buy cheap products in bulk from a third-party supplier and then sell these online to an international consumer base. Essentially, you’ll be running a virtual shop front; making dropshipping an ideal industry for remote employees wanting to work abroad.
The one downside is that many countries require proof of a stable income for you to apply to the relevant program. Cash flow for ecommerce businesses can ebb and flow, so be sure to build up at least six months of stable revenue before you apply for the Digital Nomad visa.
Skills/qualifications: starting a dropshipping company is one of the most accessible ways to start a business. All you’ll need is to build a dropshipping store, where you can then sell remotely via an ecommerce website or social media, such as Instagram and TikTok.
Best country to work in: you can run a dropshipping store from anywhere in the world. However, the world’s largest dropshipping suppliers (including Temu and Shein) are in Asia. If you’ll be working closely with a third-party, it might be a smart idea to apply for a visa from a country with a similar time zone. For example, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, or Indonesia.
2. Copywriter
The freelancing industry is booming as employees seek out improved work-life balance and more control over their work hours. Freelance copywriting is another broad role that is ideal for job hunters wanting the ultimate flexibility.
All you’ll need to get started in this job is a laptop and an email account to send copy to your employer. You can then set up shop anywhere, from a Berlin cafe to an idyllic Argentine villa.
Copywriting can be done for adverts, websites, digital media, or blog posts, and there are always companies advertising for this vacancy. However, it’s a good idea to build up a strong client base first before you quit your job, as it can take a while to reach a steady income.
Skills/qualifications: naturally, ability to write is a must for this role. But the most important soft skill you’ll need is time management. Working in different time zones can make it hard to hit delivery deadlines, so content writers need to be strict with their work schedule.
Best country to work in: content writing is a dream job for many but it is not very well paid. Some visa programs – notably, those in the Caribbean – have a minimum income of at least £40,000 per year, which might not be achievable for this role. Applicants should apply to schemes in Europe and South America, where the income requirements are much lower.
3. Graphic Designer
Related to the copywriter role is a career in graphic design. In this profession, you’ll be asked to create visual content for marketing materials, websites, or social media — the perfect task for when the creative juices (and cocktails) are flowing.
Most graphic designers are hired on a freelance basis, so make sure to build up a strong portfolio of work that will garner clients before you go. However, wannabe designers are able to work in a full-time role if the UK employer is happy for them to work abroad.
Skills/qualifications: not surprisingly, experience with creative design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a must (online courses and tutorials can teach you this for a small cost). You should also master fundamentals like branding and UI/UX design.
Best country to work in: meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects is crucial in the fast-paced design sector, so base yourself in a country that’s near clients and has a strong tech infrastructure. Estonia and the Czech Republic are a good bet for the latter.
4. Social media and email marketing
Of the many roles that fall under the marketing umbrella, the world of social media is ideal for Digital Nomads. The most obvious route is to become a social media influencer and turn your holiday snaps into shareable content. But there are plenty of other avenues to explore.
Brand management is one. Even if you’re based somewhere ten hours behind the UK, you can schedule a content calendar and interact with followers. Email marketing specialists who can build and manage marketing campaigns are also increasingly sought-after.
Both of these roles cater to freelancers and full-time employees; the latter of which will give you more stability and freedom when it comes to applying to visa schemes.
Skills/qualifications: soft skills include collaboration, communication, and organisation. Knowledge of how to use social media platforms and creative tools like Photoshop is a must.
Best country to work in: if you’re hoping to snap gorgeous visual content while abroad, we recommend focusing on Indonesia, and other well-known ‘Instagrammable’ countries. Otherwise, social media workers can base themselves pretty much wherever they like.
5. Web Designer
Working as a web designer is a lucrative and creative role that is especially in-demand today. As more companies switch to remote-first customer portals or look to sell online, website design and maintenance has exploded in popularity.
This demand has translated into very high salaries. Experienced designers in the US earn around £6,000 for a month-long commission. This kind of wage unlocks access to Caribbean islands like Bermuda, which has a steeper income requirement for remote workers.
Skills/qualifications: solid web design experience is required. This includes mastery of HTML, CSS, and familiarity with Javascript. Understanding user experience (UX) principles and web design or digital marketing trends is also crucial.
Best country to work in: if you expect to work with, or already, clients in a specific region then consider the time zone difference. You’ll be working closely with the customer so significant time zone differences might create scheduling challenges.
6. Tutor
Love teaching, but don’t want to be stuck in a classroom? Running a tutor business means you’ll still be employed in a fulfilling and engaging profession but will also be able to plan a lesson timetable that suits your work schedule.
Most remote tutors will sign up to a teaching platform and then build up a client base from here. As well as running sessions, you’ll need to dedicate time to learning new teaching methodologies, mark papers or essays, and prepare lesson plans.
Skills/qualifications: naturally, you should have a strong understanding of the subjects you plan to teach. Depending on the platform, you might also need to complete a teaching certificate and a background check (similar to DBS checks in the UK).
Best country to work in: consider the age range, subject, and region of the pupils you want to teach. Parents will want their children to be tutored outside of school hours, so be sure to choose a country with a time zone that allows for reasonable scheduling.
7. Software Engineer
The majority of Digital Nomad visas were specifically created to cater to skilled tech workers. As a result, software engineers (the most in-demand tech role in the industry) truly have their pick of the litter when it comes to working remotely.
In countries where software developers are especially coveted (such as the US), clients will pay employees huge salaries equal to £100k a year. That said, qualifying as a software developer is an arduous and highly technical task that can take years. For those wanting to move abroad today, another role might be more suitable.
Skills/qualifications: becoming a software developer or engineer is one of the hardest jobs to qualify for. Alongside critical thinking and analytical skills, you’ll also need more tangible qualifications. Luckily, these can be self-taught or learned from bootcamps, including:
- Experience with programming languages (eg. Python and Java)
- Knowledge of software design principles
- Knowledge of Database Management Systems (DBMS) such as SQL
Best country to work in: as mentioned, US-based software roles are among the most lucrative. We’d recommend basing yourself in one of the nine Latin American countries with a Digital Nomad visa (including Mexico) so you can operate in a similar time zone to clients.
Fancy a career change, but need to learn some new skills first? Read our guide to how to make yourself more employable for the ultimate list of job hunting hacks.
