5 Digital Nomad Visas with No Criminal Background Check Required 

When applying for a visa to live abroad, one of the most commonly requested documents is a criminal background check. Sometimes, it can be challenging to get your criminal record, or it may have some unfavorable marks on it. If this is the case for your situation, these are the digital nomad visas with no criminal background check required. 

When applying for a digital nomad visa, many countries have a requirement that the applicant must show proof that they have a clean criminal record from their country of origin or legal residence. 

However, there are a handful of digital nomad visas with no criminal background check required, providing some other options for applicants who may not be able to provide this highly requested document. 

Whether you are already abroad and cannot request your criminal record or you’ve lived in so many different countries over the last few years that it would be a struggle, we’re diving into the digital nomad visas with no criminal background requirement when applying. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

Digital nomad visas allow remote workers (and sometimes their family members) to temporarily live in a foreign country. 

These visas are usually valid for at least one year and can sometimes be renewed to stay longer. Some digital nomad visas can even lead to permanent residency or citizenship. 

It’s important to understand that when you have a digital nomad visa, you may not seek local employment opportunities or engage in local business activities. You must work remotely for a company or clients established outside of the country that issued your digital nomad visa. 

Why Do You Need a Criminal Background Check When Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa?

While the answer may seem pretty straightforward, countries request that people who want to stay and live there have a clean criminal record. 

As a way to ensure their citizens and residents are safe, they want to make sure that people they allow to live there and work remotely are not a threat to the country and its people. 

Just as if you were to apply for a job position or to rent an apartment, the person making the decision wants to verify that they are choosing the right candidate for the position. 

Digital Nomad Visas with No Criminal Background Check Required

Getting your criminal record can be a long and time-consuming process. If you’re in a rush to apply for a digital nomad visa, or you simply would rather not submit a criminal background check, these digital nomad visas could be for you! 

Costa Rica

With Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa, remote workers and their family members can live in the country for up to two years. With an entirely online application, you will receive an answer within 14 days of your approval. This means you can apply from within Costa Rica as a tourist or from abroad, anywhere in the world.

And here’s the best part: it’s tax-free! You will not become a tax resident, even if you stay in the country full-time. 

To qualify, individual applicants must earn at least $3,000 per month (or $4,000 per month if you plan to bring family members) for the last 12 months. 

Hungary

Officially known as the White Card, Hungary’s digital nomad visa does not require applicants to submit a criminal background check. 

Remote workers can live in Hungary for up to two years with the digital nomad visa provided that they earn a minimum of 3,000€ per month (after taxes) for the last six months. 

This visa is only available to single applicants; it does not allow you to include family members on your application. 

Citizens of countries who can enter Hungary visa-free may apply directly in Hungary or online. If you are a citizen of a country that requires a Schengen entry visa, you must apply from your country of residence at a Hungarian consulate. 

Indonesia

Officially known as the E33G Remote Worker Visa, Indonesia’s digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live in the country for up to six years. 

The application process is entirely online, and you will receive an answer within a week of submission. Once approved, you have 90 days to enter Indonesia and apply for your residence permit. 

To qualify, you must earn at least $60,000 per year working remotely. While you must provide bank statements and remote work contracts, it is not required to submit a criminal background check for this digital nomad visa. 

Mauritius

The Mauritius digital nomad visa, also known as the Premium Visa, allows remote workers and their family members to live in the country for up to two years. 

With an online process, remote workers can submit their applications for free and receive an answer within 48 hours. 

To qualify, you must earn at least $1,500 per month if applying as an individual, $3,000 per month if applying with a spouse, and an additional $500 per dependent under the age of 24. 

You must also have a passport from one of the 114 selected countries to qualify for the visa. 

When applying, you must submit proof of remote work and income, valid health insurance with coverage in Mauritius, travel reservations, and an address of accommodations. A criminal background check is not required.

Uruguay

As one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for, remote workers can stay in Uruguay for up to six months without presenting a criminal background check. 

Applicants do not have to show a minimum income amount; just that they work remotely. With an online application process, you may submit your application and documents while in Uruguay or from abroad. When you receive an approval in principle, you must pay the visa fee (around $10 USD) physically in Uruguay. 

However, there is a bit of a catch. If you’d like to extend your stay for an additional six months, then you must provide a criminal record from your country of residence. 

Digital Nomad Visas with Lenient Criminal Record Requirements

Maybe it’s possible for you to get your criminal record without a problem, but there may be some things from your past that you aren’t very proud of. Not to worry! These digital nomad visas have a more lenient view on criminal records. 

Croatia

With Croatia’s digital nomad visa, applicants must present a criminal background check from their country of origin or the country where they have lived for the past year immediately before applying for the visa. 

Croatia’s digital nomad visa allows remote workers and their family members to live in the country for a maximum of 18 months. After the visa expires, they must leave the country for at least six months before reapplying for the visa if they wish. 

For citizens of countries that do not require an entry visa, you may submit your application online or from within Croatia as a tourist. If you require an entry visa, you must submit your application from your country of residence. 

To be eligible, you must earn at least 3,295€ per month and an additional 330€ per family member you wish to include. Or you can show that you have at least 59,310€ in your bank account for the last 12 months. 

Portugal

With Portugal’s digital nomad visa, applicants may submit a criminal background check from their country of origin or the country where they have lived for the last year immediately before applying for the visa. 

The authorities checking the criminal record will look at the previous five years (if the record is from your country of origin). When reviewing criminal records, authorities are on the lookout for major violent crimes. 

With Portugal’s digital nomad visa, remote workers and their family members can live in the country for up to five years before being eligible for either permanent residency or citizenship. 

You must submit your application from your country of residence and wait for approval before entering Portugal and applying for the initial two-year residence permit. 

Spain

When applying for Spain’s digital nomad visa, applicants must present a criminal background check from their country of residence with an apostille and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

Authorities will review the criminal record from the previous five years to ensure major or violent crimes have not been committed. 

With Spain’s digital nomad visa, applicants may apply directly in the country for the three-year residence permit or at a Spanish consulate or VFS office in their country of residence for the 12-month digital nomad visa before entering the country and applying for the residence permit.  

After five years of living in Spain, you may qualify for permanent residency. After 10 years, you may qualify for citizenship, but Spain does not allow dual citizenship with most countries. 

How Important is a Criminal Background Check for Digital Nomad Visas?

For some digital nomad visas, your criminal record could result in an automatic rejection. While some digital nomad visas have more lenient views on an applicant’s criminal background, others do not tolerate any convicted crimes whatsoever. 

When deciding which digital nomad visa to apply for, it is essential that you understand the eligibility requirements and the documents you must submit. Verifying your eligibility with an immigration lawyer can help decrease your chances of receiving a rejection, saving you time and money. 

See if You’re Eligible to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa

Are you interested in applying for a digital nomad visa but aren’t sure which one is right for you? 

Request Nomads Embassy’s free eligibility assessment today! 

Or schedule a 30-minute Digital Nomad Visa Exploration Call and speak one-on-one with our visa experts to review your eligibility, discuss your goals of moving abroad, and determine which digital nomad visas are right for you. 

If you’re already traveling abroad and would like to apply for a digital nomad visa that requires a criminal record, check out our blog post about How to Request an FBI Background Check from Abroad now!