Complete Guide How to Become a Digital Nomad in 2023

Imagine being able to choose your own lifestyle and waking up in a different country every few months.

As the demand for remote work grows, more people are wondering how to become a digital nomad.

On Instagram, you can see people traveling the world and posting photos of their laptops in front of the emerald waters of the Caribbean.

Some governments, you may have heard, are implementing digital nomad visas to attract remote workers.

The term “digital nomad” was only recently introduced into the English language!

With all of the buzz surrounding the digital nomad lifestyle, people are curious about how they can get involved.

But where do you start?

You’ll be well on your way to becoming a digital nomad with the help of this seven-step guide, which includes resources and advice from my personal experience.

Who is a digital nomad?

Someone who works from home while traveling the world is known as a digital nomad.

They are location independent and can earn a living or passive income from their laptop.

Remember that there is a distinction to be made between remote employees and digital nomads.

You must constantly travel and relocate as a digital nomad.

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Complete Guide on How To Become A Digital Nomad

There is no exact formula for becoming a digital nomad; everyone’s path to adopting this way of life is different.

However, with our help, you can accomplish your goal in seven simple steps.

This article is based on what I wish I had known and done before embarking on my three-year digital nomad journey.

Step 1: Do You Suit the Digital Nomad Lifestyle?

How difficult can it be to work from your laptop while traveling to a distant country with beautiful weather and breathtaking scenery?

It’s more difficult than most people think!

Before you begin your journey, you must decide whether becoming a digital nomad is something you want to do and if it fits with your goals and interests.

It is critical to recognize that being a digital nomad will cause discomfort, loneliness, and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

These are only short-term difficulties, and if being a digital nomad is truly what you want to do, you’ll overcome them and grow to appreciate your way of life even more.

Determine your goals.

The most important question now is, “Why do I want to be a digital nomad?”

There is no correct or incorrect answer!

Simply put, answering this question can help you better understand your goals and motivations for being a mobile remote worker, as well as help you organize your travels and lifestyle as a digital nomad based on your objectives.

Find Out for Yourself

Before changing your diet, changing careers, or making any other major life decision, conduct research, just as you should when considering location independence.

Join online digital nomad communities, read about other people’s adventures, listen to podcasts, or take online classes.

Step 2: Begin making money online.

Working online or having a passive source of income are the two ways to make money as a digital nomad.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll concentrate on working from home and finding remote jobs.

Job Categories for Digital Nomads

You only need to identify your passion and talent because different occupations require different skill sets.

Among the most sought-after digital nomad jobs are:

• graphic designer and web developer
• Bitcoin speculator
• Online Virtual Assistant Coach
• Manager of e-commerce Content Creator Author

Essentials for the Digital Nomad

To be a successful digital nomad working from home, you’ll need a few specialized skills.

Time administration

You must know how to manage your time as a digital nomad because no one is watching your back because you are not working in an office.

Instead, you may receive emails or texts from clients or coworkers, but it is ultimately your responsibility to complete your responsibilities.

Individual Branding

If you decide to work for yourself, you must develop your personal brand and inform everyone you know about your new status. Discuss your work on social media, and your family and friends can serve as your best sources of new clients on occasion.

Tech-savvy

You’ll spend a lot of time working on your computer as a digital nomad;

you don’t have to be a technology expert, but you should be comfortable with computers, especially when it comes to using a VPN to protect your data, which we’ll go over later.

Exceptionally well-organized

A digital nomad’s life is hectic, so staying organized is essential for meeting work deadlines and planning travel and transportation.

Learn about the Science of Productivity.

The principle of productivity mastery is “work less, earn more.”

It’s all too easy for independent contractors and remote workers to get stuck in a cycle of working nonstop, day after day, and improving your productivity skills and knowledge is one way to avoid this.

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Step 3: Determine your destination.

Where will you go if you have the ability to travel anywhere in the world?

Unfortunately, being a digital nomad makes things more difficult.

Be strategic in your destination selection and ensure that they provide the tools and services you need to work online.

Consider how difficult it is to obtain a tourist visa and how long you can stay in a specific location.

What exactly are you looking for?

People primarily choose to become digital nomads in order to build the life they want because they are not tied to a specific location where they must commute to the office every day, but instead are free to live how and where they want.

What are your hopes for a location-independent lifestyle?

Do you wish to visit museums, try new restaurants, and explore new cities?

Or do you prefer a carefree tropical lifestyle where you can bask in the sun every day?

Being a digital nomad allows you to live a variety of lifestyles, such as relaxing in a tropical paradise for a few months before strolling through a bustling city for the next few months.

You have the ability to design your own life.

Spend some time thinking about how you want to live your life;

make a list of things you want to do during the day, weather types you prefer, and anything else that would make you happy;

this list will be used to narrow down alternatives.

What to Look for When Choosing a Digital Nomad Location

Now that you know what you want in a location, let’s make sure it’s suitable for digital nomads.

Certain conditions must be met before a location can be considered welcoming to digital nomads.

• WIFI that works reliably
• The transportation is simple.
• The cost of living is low.
• The perfect weather for the digital nomads’ community

How do you know if the location you want to visit meets these requirements? Inquire with other digital nomads who have been there!

Post in an online group or read other postings to learn about other people’s experiences in those areas; first-person reports are extremely useful.

There are also “digital nomad hotspots” that are good places to start your adventure because they meet all of your needs and have large populations of people who are similar to you. Examples include Thailand, Georgia, Portugal, and Mexico.

Remote Workers Visas

The most popular visas for digital nomads are as follows:

• Croatia
• Portugal
• Malta
• The Republic of South Africa
• Mexico
• Estonia

These temporary residency permits are ideal for location-independent workers who want to stay in one place for an extended period of time and gain in-depth knowledge of a region.

If you don’t mind moving every two months, you can travel the world without a visa!

Step 4: Make a logistics plan.

Finding an online job and visiting different countries are only two aspects of becoming a digital nomad. There are numerous details to consider and plan for.

It is possible to put off getting ready for something until it is too late.

This way of life necessitates that we learn from our mistakes, which can be difficult at times.

Some of these preparations should be completed before you depart, while others should be completed while you are on the road.

Make a Budget

You know how when you’re on vacation, you automatically swipe your credit card? When we are exploring a new location, we believe we have unlimited resources.

Getting into this mindset is easy if you live a full-time traveling lifestyle;

however, if you don’t take control of it quickly enough, it could cut your journey short.

Make a monthly budget based on your salary before you leave for your first destination.

Determine your budget for transportation, meals, entertainment, and lodging, and use Numbeo to get an idea of the costs in your new locations if you need more information.

When visiting specific sites, consider the time of year.

High season raises the cost of housing and transportation to popular destinations such as Croatia and the Greek islands, whereas off-seasons offer the best deals.

Setting (and sticking to) a budget can increase your ability to live as a digital nomad.

An emergency fund is a good idea because this way of life will incur unexpected costs.

Again, this is a live-and-learn situation. In addition, I recommend always having enough cash on hand to buy a plane ticket home in case of emergency.

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To protect your data, use a VPN.

Consider how uncomfortable and difficult it would be if your wallet was stolen while you were traveling abroad, especially if it contained all of your personal information, passwords, and credit card information.

You discovered it was missing several weeks later. This is precisely what happens when hackers steal information from your computer.

There are numerous ways to keep your money safe, but how do you keep your online personal data safe?

A VPN is the solution.

When connected to a local network, a virtual private network, or VPN, conceals your data and location, making it ideal for digital nomads who prefer to use public WiFi and work from cafes.

VPN services are relatively inexpensive (around $2 per month) and can help you save money and be more productive while traveling abroad!

Join the Digital Nomad Insurance Program.

Digital nomad insurance can cover more than just travel-related disasters; it can also cover routine doctor appointments, testing, and, on occasion, medication.

World Nomads and SafetyWing are two of the most popular insurance companies for digital nomads, with various levels of coverage available at reasonable prices.

Don’t put off purchasing insurance until it’s too late.

Maintain Contact

Consider how you’ll stay in touch with friends and family back home if you’re going on an extended trip abroad.

What other options are there when an international phone plan is prohibitively expensive?

Buy a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination because it is the most cost-effective way to stay connected.

Get a data plan that allows you to use WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media apps.

Before you leave, you can even conduct research to determine which business is the best fit for you, which is another excellent question to pose in an online forum.

If you need a phone number from your home country, you can also use Google Voice or Skype.

Before you leave, inform your loved ones of the best way to contact you while you are away; for me, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are the simplest ways to communicate with friends and family.

Getting Around

Traveling is one skill you’ll master; you’ll know how to navigate and plan your itinerary, but first you have to get started.

There are numerous excellent travel apps and websites available.

Step 5: Get Ready for the Trip

You’ll learn about some of the preparations you’ll need to make in this section.

Sell Your Products

Traveling light is an important aspect of living a nomadic lifestyle.

Some people live a completely nomadic lifestyle and sell their belongings, while others store some of their belongings for later use.

After adopting a digital nomad lifestyle, you’ll realize how insignificant material possessions are and how to survive with only the supplies in your bag or suitcase. Everything else becomes tedious and ineffective.

Not to mention that selling your possessions will give you more money to spend on vacation expenses.

Publicize Your Plans

Others may be perplexed by your decision, viewing it as arrogant and careless.

You will be mocked, possibly even by people you love, but don’t let it bother you too much.

If you’re feeling down, go back and read the note you wrote explaining why you want to be a digital nomad.

It’s obviously easier said than done, but if you’re certain this is the best option for you, go for it!

Make Your Own Support Group

While traveling, you will undoubtedly encounter incredible moments and create priceless memories, but obstacles will arise from time to time.

When traveling alone, you may feel lonely and reflect on what you miss about home;

this is when a support system comes in handy.

While traveling, you will undoubtedly meet people with whom you can converse, and if they are also digital nomads, they may be able to relate to your problems.

Having a friend or relative you can call to make yourself feel better is also beneficial.

Ask two or three people before you leave if you can call them if you’re feeling down or burned out.

It may appear silly to inquire, but it is critical.

You could argue that you don’t want to bother them when you need to talk to someone. You might find it easier if you have permission to call this person.

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Step 6: Take the plunge

Prepare everything, board the plane, and travel to a new location; this is your current situation!

You may feel nervous and doubt yourself while waiting for your plane, train, or bus; however, I guarantee it will improve once you arrive at your destination.

Nothing is more unpleasant than making plans for the future.

How to Prepare

I can’t wait for you to start your adventure; you’ll have so many unforgettable experiences.

You should expect a wide range of emotions during the first few weeks, ranging from extreme enthusiasm to mild anxiety to overstimulation.

• Take care of yourself and have fun.
• Experiment with something new.
• Learn a few key phrases and words in the language.
• Make new friends.
• View amazing and unusual sights.

Keep a journal of your experiences; express your annoyances, tell exciting stories, and record your favorite moments; you’ll undoubtedly want to reflect on it in the future.

Grow by Learning from Your Experience

No one returns home the same after adopting the digital nomad lifestyle; the world has become visible to them.

They now have different goals and values and are constantly striving to better themselves.

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to learn and grow, and be open to new experiences and people;

you never know where life will take you.

It’s also an excellent time to learn more about yourself.

Traveling alone often means spending a lot of time alone for digital nomads, so use this time to reflect and get to know yourself.

It’s a crucial but underappreciated aspect of living a prosperous nomadic lifestyle.

Step 7: Register with Nomads Embassy.

The final and most important step is to become a member of Nomads Embassy or another community.

Join our exclusive online community to meet new people and get answers to your burning lifestyle questions.

The Advantages to become a Digital Nomad

1 You can work wherever you want.

You can live anywhere in the world because you are not bound by geography.

Many digital nomads work as independent contractors or as business owners, allowing them to set their own hours.

2 Be happier and more appreciative of life.

Your ability to plan your workday with flexibility increases your happiness and satisfaction.

Many digital nomads work in fields that they are enthusiastic about.

Of course, they are more motivated to work.

Along with this unconventional way of life, a shift to a more conscious way of life is common.

As a result, many nomads practice yoga, meditation, healthy eating, and minimalism.

Recognizing their blessings allows them to appreciate life more.

3 Financial Advantages

Not all digital nomads are extremely wealthy, but increased happiness and motivation frequently leads to increased productivity and a desire to achieve more.

Many people have the option of setting their own hourly rates.

The level of qualification raises the income.

Furthermore, many digital nomads live in economically developing countries such as Thailand or Indonesia, where they can live comfortably on a lower salary.

A prudent approach to residency and taxes results in substantial financial savings.

Disadvantages to become a Digital Nomad.

If you want to learn how to become a digital nomad, you should be aware of its disadvantages.

These are only the top three issues:

1. Uncertain Life

Most digital nomads work on a freelance basis.

The amount of money they can expect to make in any given year is determined by their ability to successfully find new clients and the amount of work they put in.

Every month is different, and you should always be prepared for a drop in income.

Similarly, accommodations. You must constantly look for a new place to live, a modern location with good WiFi, new restaurants to try, and new people to meet.

Only a few people are capable of dealing with this on a long-term basis.

2. Hard work is frequently underappreciated.

Despite appearances, being a digital nomad is not a short vacation.

It takes a lot of work, especially at first.

You must put in a lot of effort to successfully adjust to your new life.

Sick and vacation days are not compensated.

\Weekends are frequently skipped.

Even if you work near a beautiful beach, you must be extremely productive.

It may appear insignificant, but it can be more difficult than you think.

3. Your social life could be impacted.

Traveling the world is enjoyable because you meet so many interesting people.

However, you will have to say goodbye to them again soon.

To be a digital nomad, you must constantly make new friends. For introverts, this is a difficult task.

Furthermore, you may only see your old friends and family a few times a year, if at all.

You will miss important social events because you are on the other side of the world.

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