As digital nomad visas grow in popularity, skilled professionals seeking deeper cultural integration are exploring traditional work visas — and some countries are making that process notably smooth. According to Remitly, Latvia ranks as the easiest country to secure a skilled worker visa, scoring 7.64 out of 10. As part of the EU Blue Card scheme, it requires a relatively low salary threshold of £20,500, and visa approval takes just 10 working days for a fee of £83.
Global Work Visa Rankings: Costs, Salaries, and Processing Speeds Compared
Ireland follows closely with a 7.32 score, offering a 95% approval rate, a five-year stay, and the same low fee. Iceland takes third place (6.58), with the highest average salary at £69,120, but a low entry threshold of £16,973. However, its approval process can take up to three months.
Italy is the most cost-effective, offering a renewable EU Blue Card for only £41. Meanwhile, Australia is the most expensive and slowest, charging £1,569 and taking up to six months to process visas. The UK ranks seventh, burdened by a £1,420 fee and a £38,700 salary requirement. The US, though offering over six years of visa validity under the H-1B program, ranks sixth due to high costs and processing delays.
Visa Speeds, Salary Thresholds, and Global Approval Rates Revealed
Visa processing times vary: Latvia is fastest (10 days), most EU nations take around three months, and Australia can take up to six months. Kazakhstan has the highest UK visa success rate at 99.52%, while Pakistan is lowest among the top 20 at 82.39%.
In 2023, Canada led OECD nations in work visas issued, at nearly 240,000. On salary requirements, Portugal is most accessible (£13,190), while the Netherlands is highest (£56,530). The US leads in maximum stay, with extendable six-year visas, while Latvia and Slovakia offer five years under the EU scheme.
Summary:
As digital nomads grow in number, countries like Latvia, Ireland, and Iceland stand out for offering easy, affordable skilled worker visas. Latvia leads with fast approval and low costs. Visa fees, salary thresholds, and processing times vary widely, with Canada issuing the most work visas and the U.S. offering the longest stays.
