A remote work visa is not a cheaper version of a residence visa. In most countries it asks for considerably more income, because the country is selecting for people who spend locally and earn elsewhere.
What each one asks for
| Country | Income requirement | Pegged to |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | €2,849 a month | 200% of the Spanish minimum wage |
| Portugal | about €3,680 a month | four times the Portuguese minimum wage |
| Dubai | $5,000 a month | a fixed figure, raised from $3,500 in April 2026 |
| Colombia | from about $700 a month | pegged to the Colombian minimum wage |
| Bali | no dedicated visa yet | the B211a route allows 60 days plus two extensions, 180 days maximum |
Why the numbers moved in 2026
Spain and Portugal peg theirs to the minimum wage, at two and four times respectively. When the wage rose, both thresholds rose with it. The UAE raised its figure outright, from $3,500 to $5,000 a month in April 2026.
The direction is consistent. These programmes launched to attract people and are now being used to filter them.
The part nobody prices: tax residency
Income is the visible requirement. Tax residency is the expensive one.
Most countries treat 183 days in a calendar year as the line at which you become tax resident. Cross it and you may owe tax locally on worldwide income, while the United States continues to tax you as a citizen regardless of where you live. A treaty usually prevents paying twice in full, but it does not remove the filing, and the filing is not simple.
This is the single thing worth paying a professional for before you move, not after.
Remote work visa or residence visa
If your income is passive — a pension, dividends, rent — the retirement and financially independent routes are almost always cheaper to qualify for. The remote work visa exists for people still earning from active work, and it is priced accordingly.
Thresholds move every January because most of them are pegged to an index that is revised annually. Treat the figure as the shape of the requirement and confirm the current number with the consulate before you file.