One such way of life that’s been dramatically affected is digital nomadism. Digital nomads – those who work remotely as they travel the world – have found it particularly challenging to adapt to the new travel restrictions, quarantining efforts, and visa requirements. For many, 2020 was the year they finally went home.
But it’s still possible to be a digital nomad in 2020. With the right information, a few precautionary measures, and some proactive planning, you can still see the world as you work from the comfort of your laptop. Digital nomads: don’t give up! Here’s how to deal with 2020.
Know Where You Can Go
Especially if you’re the proud holder of a US passport, travel has become tricky. Many nations have restricted– or placed complicated provisos on –entering their borders. And if you have to fly home to the US tore new your visa, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to make it back.
Even if you aren’t from the US, travel is still heavily restricted in parts of the world. Old standbys like Southeast Asia, which require you to leave the country every few months to renew your visa, are prohibitively tricky for digital nomads now.
For a list of countries with currently lax visa processes, read this Lonely Planet Article. Written in late July, the information here is as up-to-date and relevant as you’ll find. In it, they list countries like Estonia, Georgia, and Barbados as particularly easy countries for digital nomads right now.
Pack for an Unexpected Length of Time
Think you’re going away for three months? Don’t be so sure.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to predict the unpredictable. With talk of a second wave, you may find yourself in a foreign country with no recourse to leave.
To be proactive, pack everything you need to live comfortably: a solidly built laptop with a spare charger, portable wifi, an unlocked phone, Unbound Merino travel clothes to stay fresh and fashionable, and enough toiletries to last through another potential lockdown.
Stay Safe
Wherever you go, try to stay safe. Keep up with the news, follow the local guidelines for social distancing, hygiene, and masks, and don’t leave your abode if you’re feeling unwell. Some countries have had an easier go than others (aforementioned Georgia has largely been spared), but you never know.
As part of your overall safety, stash away a portion of your monthly earnings in an emergency fund. Job retention is still in a precarious position – the last thing you want is to lose your job and be stuck in a foreign country without an income source.
As long as you go to the right places, pack the necessary items, and follow authoritative safety guidelines, it’s possible to be a digital nomad in 2020. It’s possible to have it all – to make a living while you see the world.
