The world is opening up for the growing number of founders, investors, and entrepreneurs operating from abroad – there are now over 50 countries with digital nomad visas (DNVs) that allow globally-minded individuals to explore new territories without needing to set up a new office. With these modern arrangements, professionals can scale their start-up or build an international business portfolio anywhere, from the heart of the Balkans to a beachfront penthouse in Rio.

With so many countries emerging as digital nomad locations, it can be hard to know where to set sail for. You may already have a particular city in mind, but if your curiosity knows no bounds, we have some suggestions below.

Firstly, there are some considerations you should weigh up to ensure you make the right decision:

• Digital nomad infrastructure – is there widespread, fast Wi-Fi, dedicated spaces for remote working?
• Career opportunities – is there a potential new customer base, and a network of industry peers to help keep your skills and knowledge up to date?
• Climate – do you thrive in the heat, or are you more at home in fresh, Nordic air?
• Application process – each country has its own eligibility rules for securing a DNV, with some, such as Romania, catering to a wide audience, while others like Norway, require a higher income and closer local business ties.
• Transport links – how easily can you travel for meetings? Is there an international airport, a marina for yachts, or a reliable chauffeur service?
• Culture – are you a foodie, art lover, or sports fanatic? Do you prefer a hike on the weekend or exploring the nightlife?

With these factors in mind, let’s look at some of the best countries and best cities for digital nomads.

Portugal

With Lisbon and Porto frequently placing in the top ten of the world’s best digital nomad cities, Portugal should be a consideration for everyone. It has a high quality of life, fantastic climate, and a wealth of culture and history. Lisbon has become a global hub for entrepreneurs, particularly in tech, so the possibilities for networking and scaling up are vast.

Portugal’s digital nomad visas allow you to stay temporarily for up to three years, with the option to apply for longer-term and permanent residency, further boosting Portugal’s reputation as one of the best countries for digital nomads. Applicants must have a minimum monthly income of €3,480, sufficient savings and proof of self-employment or other contract outside Portugal.

Top cities

Lisbon – networking, thriving culture, nightlife, Michelin-star dining

Porto – laid-back lifestyle, art, local heritage

Malaysia

With its fast-growing economy, Malaysia is an exciting place to be right now, and a great strategic base for expansion into ASEAN markets. Cities like the capital, Kuala Lumpur, have a modern infrastructure and English-speaking business sector that makes comfortable living and remote working viable. Of course, the incredible scenery, tropical climate, and delicious food are also a big plus.

Malaysia has one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for, with an entirely online process and the option to live in the country for up to two years. There are no restricted nationalities, and the minimum required monthly income is $2,000 USD.

Top cities

Kuala Lumpur – modern infrastructure, international connections, nightlife

Penang – coastal living, history, culture, cuisine capital

Brazil

A recent adopter of digital nomad visas, Brazil is a great option for those with an adventurous spirit. Famously one of the most naturally diverse and beautiful countries in the world, Brazil also has excellent infrastructure for remote working in buzzy melting pots like São Paulo, one of the world’s best cities for digital nomads.  You may choose to visit for a taste of the country-wide Carnival each February/March, or the São Paulo F1 Grand Prix in November, but no matter the dates, there’s no shortage of world-class dining, entertainment and fellow entrepreneurs to connect with.

Brazil’s digital nomad visas are for one year, with an option to renew for one more year. They require a minimum monthly income of $1,500 USD, and that your work is based outside of Brazil.

Top cities

São Paulo– business capital, networking, international connectivity

Brasilia – capital city, modernist architecture, mild climate

Florianopolis – beaches, laid-back, large digital nomad community

Croatia

A fantastic option for connectivity across EU countries, Croatia also has the benefit of a Mediterranean climate and coastline and a rich history. Popular destinations like Split and Dubrovnik lie on the coast, where luxury seaside properties and hotels are in abundance, while the capital Zagreb is inland, with many of the best museums and galleries in the country, as well as a thriving start-up scene.

DNVs in Croatia are available to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with a monthly income of at least €3,295, and are granted for up to 18 months. With the community quickly growing, this is no doubt one of the best digital nomad visas available.

Top cities

Split – large digital nomad community, strong digital infrastructure, coastal Mediterranean lifestyle

Zagreb – capital city, culture, history, less busy tourist season, growing entrepreneur community for networking opportunities

Spain

Spain is as popular for digital nomads as it is for tourists, and for good reason: the country’s DNV has a very generous limit of up to five years and allows for family members to accompany the applicant. There’s a huge variety between the many historic cities and regions of the country, from the Basque Country to the Balearic Islands, so it’s an appealing choice for those who like to stay on the move. The country’s historic ties to Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas make it a melting pot of international trade and business, providing ample networking opportunities.

Spain’s DNV requirements include a non-EU/EEA nationality, employment outside of the country, a university degree or three years’ professional experience and minimum monthly earnings of €3,000.

Top cities

Barcelona – thriving culture, international hub, great networking, digital infrastructure

Madrid – business capital, historic culture, international connections

Valencia – laid-back, beach culture, growing community

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are many more countries with digital nomad visas on offer for the adventurous entrepreneur. But with these pins in your map, many more digital nomad locations will come into your range, as well as endless opportunities for business, career and network growth.

If your business is growing and in need of additional full or part-time employees, our recruiters are ready to help. Get in touch with your requirements today. We also offer an Employer of Record service if you are looking to hire employees abroad.

The post Best Countries and Cities for Digital Nomads: Top Locations and Easiest Visas appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

The coronavirus pandemic is creating a challenging time for businesses who may have reduced or ceased activities. If you are on furlough (leave), or are in the market for a new job, then it makes sense to upskill and complete free online courses!

Free online classes to complete during the pandemic

What Great Leaders Do

https://alison.com/course/what-great-leaders-do

This leadership course is one of the best free online courses with certificates. It features insights from Bob Sutton, a researcher in evidence-based management and a professor of management science. The course highlights the traits of great leaders and the habits of leaders who fail, allowing you to consider your leadership skills from both angles.

The course also shares the best way to deal with team disagreements and how to ensure your team’s health. It reveals how excellent leaders work hard to stay in-tune with their workforce and covers the consequences of not paying attention to those they manage.

The course can be completed in under two hours and includes an assessment and certification. It is ideal for both new leaders and those who wish to become a leader in the near future.

Psychology and Mental Health: Beyond Nature and Nurture

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/mental-health-and-well-being

Mental health and wellbeing are crucial for anyone, but due to the pandemic, they have never been in greater focus. This course from Future Learn will teach you how to improve your wellbeing and mental health by gaining a deeper understanding of your emotions and behaviors.

You will learn about new perspectives on the nature versus nurture argument and new research that will help you improve your mental health. The course delves into thinking patterns, the current challenges and debates and new ways of thinking.

This free online course is the work of Peter Kinderman, a professor of clinical psychology. You can start this course for free and upgrade for extra benefits and unlimited access. The course typically takes six weeks to complete with a three hour per week commitment. Of course, if you are on furlough or find yourself with more down time, you can complete the course quicker.

Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success

https://www.edx.org/course/creative-thinking-techniques-and-tools-for-success

You will become proficient and confident in using many techniques, including how to use the six thinking hats tool, idea generation using morphological analysis and intentive problem solving using TRIZ. From brainstorming to applying the SCAMPER method, this course will arm you with a skill set that employers only dream of finding.

The course is free and you can, if you wish, purchase a certificate for $49 on completion. You will complete this self-paced course in seven weeks if you have up to four hours per week of free time.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity

https://www.coursera.org/learn/work-smarter-not-harder

Time management and productivity encompass a variety of skills such as organization, professional and personal awareness, goal setting, scheduling, prioritization and delegation. You will learn about all of these skills and how to apply them in your career.

During this class, you will develop your ability to manage resources efficiently and effectively and how to keep your sense of perspective to avoid and manage a crisis. Furthermore, you will learn how to plan and achieve your professional and personal goals, as well as how to recognize and overcome potential barriers to successful time management.

You can enroll in this free online course immediately and it takes approximately five hours to complete.

Improving Communication Skills

https://www.coursera.org/learn/wharton-communication-skills

Free Ivy League courses are in high demand but can be challenging to find. However, this one is a fantastic gem that will help you communicate effectively and achieve your goals at work. The course is from best-selling author and Wharton professor Maurice Schweitzer and it will improve your communication skill set.

During this class, you will learn about negotiating styles, apologizing, creating a persuasive message, asking engaging questions and conducting active listening. Teachings include how to recognize if someone is lying to you and how to react, and you will learn how to develop trust, along with the ins and outs of creating convincing messages for video conferencing, phone calls and email.

The free Improving Communication Skills course takes about ten hours to complete. You will enjoy a mix of videos, readings and quizzes to confirm what you have learned.

New Skills Academy

While they aren’t free, Tiger has a partnership with leading online school, New Skills Academy, who are offering up to 87% off their courses. With secretarial, admin and business support-specific courses, they can help with anything from telephone customer services to problem solving and public speaking. Their extensive range of lessons all come with a certification, allowing you to put it on your resume once completed.

These are just a few excellent free courses to take in your free time that will help on a personal and professional level. For more resources, visit our insights page.

The post The five best free online classes to try in your downtime appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.