How to work abroad as a UK freelancer: Your visa options explained
If you freelance from the UK and have ever caught yourself daydreaming about working from a cafe in Lisbon or a co-working space in Bali, you’re far from alone. More countries than ever are rolling out dedicated visas for remote workers, and as a freelancer, you’re well placed to take advantage. But the process looks very different depending on where you want to go.
Europe’s digital nomad visas
For UK freelancers, Europe tends to be the first stop. The time zones work well for UK clients, the cost of living can be lower, and several countries have made their applications genuinely simple.
Portugal’s D8 visa, launched in 2022, is specifically designed for remote workers and freelancers earning income from outside the country. You’ll need to show a monthly income of at least €3,680 and have savings of €11,040 or more. The older D7 visa is now reserved for people with passive income like pensions or rental earnings, so freelancers should apply for the D8 instead.
Spain has a dedicated digital nomad visa for remote workers, with an initial stay of up to a year when you apply from abroad, or up to three years if you apply from within Spain. No more than 20% of your income can come from Spanish clients. Croatia, Greece and Italy all have their own versions too.
Popular picks outside Europe
Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), launched in 2024, offers a five-year multiple-entry visa with stays of up to 180 days per entry. It’s one of the most flexible options in Southeast Asia, with a standard application fee of 10,000 Thai baht (roughly £230 at most embassies, though it can vary).
Indonesia now has the E33G Remote Worker Visa for those wanting to base themselves in Bali, though the income threshold is steep at around $60,000 per year. Turkey has also launched a digital nomad visa open to UK passport holders, valid for one year with the option to renew for a second year.
Most of these visas ask for similar core documents: proof of regular freelance income, health cover, a clean criminal record and evidence that your clients are based outside the host country. Income thresholds vary significantly though. Portugal requires €3,680 per month, Spain around €2,850, and Turkey $3,000 per month, so it’s worth checking the specific requirements for your chosen destination.
The US: No simple route for freelancers
Here’s where things get tricky. The United States doesn’t have a digital nomad visa. There’s no remote work permit and no freelancer category. For those with their sights set specifically on America, the best starting point is to discover which US visa you’re eligible for given your freelance background and achievements. Knowing your options early will save you wasted effort, because fitting into a US employment-based visa takes real preparation.
The most viable route for UK freelancers with a strong professional track record is the O-1 visa, designed for people with extraordinary ability in their field. The bar is high, as you’ll need to show you’re among the small percentage at the very top of your profession, but it doesn’t require a Nobel Prize. If you’ve won industry awards, been featured in respected media, earned a high income relative to your peers or held a leading role in a distinguished organisation, you could qualify.
The O-1 visa splits into two categories: O-1A for fields like science, education, business and athletics, and O-1B for the arts. For O-1A, you’ll need to meet at least three of eight criteria set by USCIS, while for O-1B, it’s three of six. Which will apply to you depends on your freelance specialism.
It’s also worth noting that the O-1 works well for freelancers because a US-based agent can file your petition on your behalf, meaning you can continue working with multiple clients independently instead of being tied to a single employer.
If you’re thinking longer-term, the EB-1A green card uses similar evidence to the O-1 but leads to permanent residency. You can self-petition, so no employer or agent is needed. It’s a higher bar, but if you’ve already built a strong O-1 case, the step up is smaller than you might think.
Start researching your options
Working abroad as a UK freelancer is more accessible than it’s ever been, at least for most of the world. Countries across Europe, Southeast Asia and beyond are actively courting remote workers with simple visa processes.
The US remains the exception, requiring stronger evidence and usually professional legal help. But it’s far from impossible if you’ve built a solid career. The key is to start researching your options well before you book any flights.
