strawberryysoda2023

Hello everyone,

Lately I’ve been thinking about where to go for the next ~8 months. After the new year, I have two conference events (not work related) coming up in Europe (Germany in January and Portugal in August). I am from the US, but I would like to stay in Europe for those 8 months so that I do not have to fly back and forth from the US in between my events. My plan would be to return to the US in August after my event in Portugal. I have a remote job that allows me to work internationally.

How can I do this legally? I have been looking into the Malta digital nomad program, as it seems like the fastest visa in Europe that could be approved. However, I am not sure if it is worth applying for a digital nomad visa anyways, since I would not be there for very long.

A few lawyers suggested I just enter the Schengen area as a tourist, then leave the Schengen area before the 90 days, and then go back in after spending a few months outside of it. So one plan could be: go Germany for my event in January, spend until sometime in March traveling around the Schengen area, then travel for 3 months around of it in Ireland and the UK for example (I’m open to other suggestions here too - I’ve heard Romania and Bulgaria are nice to visit and overall safe for women too, but I haven’t researched much yet), and then I could go back to the Schengen sometime in June and stay until my event in Portugal in August.

In my situation, would you all apply for a digital nomad visa somewhere, or would you just “travel around” for 8 months? If anyone has any suggestions on what to do or where to go, I would appreciate it! I am pretty flexible with where I go, but I would prefer to stay within the European continent for those 8 months. I do need to be back in the US by mid august for some family events, so staying longer isn’t an option at the moment unfortunately.

Thanks!!

Hello everyone!

I’m planning to apply for the Malta digital nomad visa soon, and I’m wondering if anybody has some tips on the process?

About me: From US, going solo, only want to stay for 6 months (~February-August)

As I understand, I must submit documents for application (such as passport, contract from work that says I am remote, bank statements etc) on an online application. Is it true there is no need for an in person interview at any consulate in the US? I am surprised because for most other places, there is some appointment at the consulate required before going.

I spoke with a lawyer who said I should submit my application materials now or in December, and then I can enter Malta on the Schengen visa, and then once I’m there, I wait another month or so for the digital nomad visa to be approved (this makes me a bit nervous - I would think I should wait until it’s approved to leave?) Then they said I have to do appointments there in Malta like biometrics. The lawyer also said I should have a one year rental contract before going, but I am wondering if it possible to just rent something for 6 months, for example on Airbnb?

Finally, did you all use lawyers for this process? The fees seem quite expensive, so I’m not sure if it’s worth it.

Thank you!