The 2026 Digital Nomad Visa Index
36 countries offer a digital nomad visa — 12 of them free to apply. We ranked every one by what it actually costs to live there, so you can weigh visa access against your budget in one place.
Cost index anchored to New York = 100 · lower is cheaper. Free to cite with a link to Meridian.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the cheapest digital nomad visa destination?
Among the 36 countries with a digital nomad visa in our index, Sri Lanka is the most affordable to actually live in — a cost-of-living index of 11 (New York = 100), via Colombo. Its visa (Digital Nomad Visa (Residence Visa)) allows stays up to 12 months.
How many countries offer a free digital nomad visa?
Of the 36 countries we track with a nomad visa, 12 charge no application fee. The rest range from a small processing charge to around $1,000. Cost, stay length, and local cost of living are all in the table above.
How is this visa index ranked?
Countries are ranked by cost of living (cheapest first), using each country's most affordable city in our database, anchored so New York = 100. Visa details — name, maximum stay, and application cost — are shown alongside. Verify requirements with the official immigration source before applying.
Is the visa data up to date?
Cost-of-living figures are AI-sourced and refreshed continuously (updated October 2026). Visa programs change often — treat this as a starting point and confirm current rules and income requirements with the destination's official government portal.
Found your visa? Check the budget.
See the full cost breakdown for any of these destinations, or find where your salary stretches furthest.