The New Digital Nomad Visas of 2026 (Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, UAE) and What to Pack Digitally

Which digital nomad visas are new in 2026?

The genuinely new programs are Sri Lanka (launched February 2026) and Bulgaria (first visas issued January 2026), with Slovenia (21 November 2025) and Moldova (20 September 2025) arriving just before them. The UAE is often listed alongside them, but its remote work visa dates to 2020; what changed in early 2026 was updated official guidance.

Here is the timeline we could verify. Sri Lanka's government held its launch on 11 February 2026, according to the Daily FT, and handed the first visas to a Ukrainian couple at Bandaranaike International Airport on 26 February 2026, as Ada Derana reported. Bulgarian National Radio reported on 8 January 2026 that Bulgaria now issues visas for digital nomads. Slovenia's government said it was introducing a temporary residence permit for digital nomads on 21 November 2025. Immigration firm Fragomen reported Moldova's digital nomad visa took effect on 20 September 2025.

For the UAE, Gulf News notes the virtual working programme was launched by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism in 2020. Immigration firm BAL reported in January 2026 that the UAE had updated its guidance for remote work visas, keeping the US$3,500 monthly salary floor and requiring proof of employment outside the UAE.

How do the new digital nomad visas compare?

Sri Lanka has the lowest income bar, Slovenia and the UAE the highest, and all five require health insurance. The table below uses official government pages where available and named immigration law firms or major outlets where it was not. Thresholds change, so confirm on the official link before you apply.

Sources: Sri Lanka immigration; Boyanov & Co. and Business Today for Bulgaria; u.ae; gov.si and EY Slovenia; Fragomen for Moldova.

What does Sri Lanka's digital nomad visa require?

Sri Lanka requires a minimum monthly income remittance of US$2,000 for the main applicant, proof of remote work for clients or employers outside Sri Lanka, and international health insurance that covers medical care in Sri Lanka. That comes straight from the Department of Immigration and Emigration's visa category document.

• Who qualifies: foreign nationals 18 or older doing remote employment, freelancing, or running a business not registered in Sri Lanka that serves clients abroad.
• Dependents: spouse and dependents can be included; if you have more than two dependents, add US$500 a month in remittance for each extra one.
• Fee: US$500 per year each for the main applicant, spouse and every dependent.
• Documents: passport valid for at least six months, medical clearance report, police clearance no older than three months, a recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy, and proof of the monthly remittance.
• Renewal: the visa runs one year and is renewable annually; extensions require proof of tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department.
• Limits: no local employment in Sri Lanka.

The official document also lists practical perks: holders can open Sri Lankan bank accounts, sign leases, enroll children in international or private schools, and access local telecom and internet services. The Work in Sri Lanka FAQ adds that a fresh police clearance is usually required at renewal, while the medical check is typically a one-time requirement.

“Don't expect the internet to work anywhere you go, even if you are told that it will work”

What does Bulgaria's digital nomad visa require?

Bulgaria requires non-EU, non-EEA applicants to show annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian minimum monthly wage, which law firm Boyanov & Co. puts at EUR 31,010 as of January 2026, earned from outside Bulgaria. Bulgarian National Radio says applicants also need health insurance, a clean criminal record and proof of accommodation.

1. Apply for a Type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or legal residence.
2. Enter Bulgaria and apply for the residence permit within 14 days of arrival, per BNR.
3. Once the residence is approved, apply for a Bulgarian ID card.

Three groups qualify, per Boyanov: employees of companies outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; owners of more than 25% of such a company; and self-employed people who have served clients abroad for at least a year. None can provide services to Bulgarian entities. The permit is valid for one year and can be extended once by another year. Business Today reports the insurance has to cover Bulgaria and the wider Schengen area.

What changed with the UAE remote work visa?

Not much on the headline terms: the UAE's virtual work visa is still a one-year, self-sponsored residence visa for people working for an employer outside the UAE, with a US$3,500 monthly income minimum. The official u.ae portal lists a salary certificate, proof of work outside the UAE, a copy of health insurance and a medical fitness test result. You can apply through ICP or, for Dubai, GDRFA.

BAL's January 2026 update confirmed the US$3,500 floor and the requirement to work for an external entity. Gulf News reported a total cost of US$611 (Dh2,243) for Dubai, covering application, processing, medical exam and Emirates ID, and noted you can start on travel insurance with healthcare coverage and switch to a UAE policy later. Fees change, so check the current amount when you apply.

Per Gulf News, using a VPN to reach blocked services is illegal; legitimate work use is not. See our guide to traveling to China, the UAE or Russia with a VPN.

What about Slovenia and Moldova?

Slovenia offers a one-year permit that cannot be extended, and Moldova offers a longer permit with medical insurance and foreign-income requirements. Both launched in late 2025.

Slovenia

The Slovenian government requires monthly funds of at least twice the average monthly net salary in Slovenia; EY Slovenia puts that at about EUR 3,140 a month and says you need health insurance with at least basic coverage in Slovenia. You apply at a Slovenian embassy or consulate, and after the permit ends you must wait six months before reapplying. Family members can join right away.

Moldova

Fragomen reports a two-year visa with possible renewal, processing of 30 to 45 calendar days through the Bureau for Migration and Asylum, and no local work. Applicants need proof of remote work, accommodation in Moldova and medical insurance. Globetrender reported a monthly income requirement of US$1,500 to US$2,000 before launch, but other published figures are higher, so we have not listed a number. Get the current threshold from the Bureau before you apply.

Do digital nomad visas require health insurance?

Yes. Every visa in this guide asks for health coverage, and the wording matters: Sri Lanka asks for international insurance covering care in Sri Lanka, Bulgaria wants Schengen-wide cover, and Slovenia wants at least basic coverage in Slovenia. A generic trip policy may not meet those terms.

If you are American, don't assume your current plan travels with you. Medicare.gov says Medicare usually doesn't cover health care while you're traveling outside the U.S., outside of rare exceptions.

“US medical insurance generally not accepted outside of the US (but find out).”

Ask your insurer for a coverage letter that names the destination country, the coverage dates and the medical limits, because consulates and immigration offices review documents, not marketing pages. Our digital nomad visa approved checklist walks through matching a policy to visa rules.

What should digital nomads pack digitally?

Pack four things before you leave: a VPN installed on every device, an eSIM for local data, a plan to keep your home number for bank codes, and a password manager with your 2FA backup codes. Each is far easier to set up at home than from a coworking space with a deadline.

1. A VPN on every device

You will spend a year on coworking, apartment and cafe Wi-Fi you don't control. Install and test a VPN on your laptop, phone and tablet before departure, since some app stores and provider sites are harder to reach abroad. If you are new to them, start with what a VPN is, then compare options in our best VPN roundup and our picks for VPNs for expats. Set it up on every device you carry, and use free trials to test it with your bank before you go. Our coworking Wi-Fi security checklist covers the five-minute routine for shared networks.

“Our phones are so critical that I keep a hot swappable spare phone on me”

2. An eSIM for data

A travel eSIM gets you data without swapping out your home SIM. Apple says supported iPhones can run two eSIMs at once, one for your home number and one for the place you're visiting, and that iMessage and FaceTime keep working on your home line. Saily, from NordVPN maker Nord Security, sells data-only eSIMs for 200-plus destinations, according to Cloudwards. Data-only means no calls or SMS on that line.

3. Your home number, for 2FA

Many banks still text one-time codes to the number on file. Keep that number alive (an active plan, roaming or a ported number) and add authenticator-app 2FA wherever it is offered. The full setup is in our guide to keeping your bank apps working abroad.

4. A password manager

CISA says a password manager generates, stores and fills your passwords, so you only remember one. Keeper describes itself as zero-knowledge, meaning your vault is encrypted on your device, and it can store time-based 2FA codes alongside your logins.

What should you check before applying?

Check the official income figure, the insurance wording, and whether the permit can be renewed, because those three things decide whether a country works for a full year or longer.

• Income in the right form: Sri Lanka measures monthly remittances; Bulgaria measures annual income for the previous calendar year.
• Who your clients are: Bulgaria and Slovenia exclude local clients and employers; the UAE requires work for an entity outside the UAE.
• Renewal rules: Slovenia's permit can't be extended; Bulgaria's can be extended once; Sri Lanka's renews annually.
• Paperwork lead time: police clearances (Sri Lanka wants one under three months old) and apostilles take weeks.
• Tax: Sri Lanka requires tax registration for renewal. U.S. citizens still file at home, which our expat tech setup guide touches on.