Digital Nomads as Global Marketplace Multipliers
You may have heard people use the term “digital nomad” and wonder what it meant. Is it someone who moves around all the time? Do they take families with them? Do they have private jets or do they make tents? Well, the Apostle Paul literally did the latter, but I think we can all agree he could have used the former and avoided some shipwrecks!
A digital nomad is a location-independent worker who leverages mobile technology to live and work remotely from somewhere in the world that has sufficient internet and travel options for them to do their job. Let’s talk about where this way of life came from, how popular it is, what locations are most accessible to digital nomads, and what vocations are best suited to pursue it.
But first, why should those who care about increasing access to
the gospel be interested in the idea of digital nomads? Well, the answer is simple: many of the more unreached places in the world are also places that are hard to get a job in. Either they are not receiving foreign workers, or in some cases the economy cannot sustain even the more basic lifestyles of a westerner. So being a digital nomad gives someone another way in. Or, in many cases, a person may have a heart for a certain country and their people, but they are not hiring those from the specific industry they have experience in. That’s where the potential for being a digital nomad who is also a Global Marketplace Multiplier (GMM) comes in. It can be a great way to live in just the place you want to–reaching just those who you feel God is calling you to reach.
The Emergence of the Digital Nomad Life
The origin the idea of a “digital nomad” might be traced all the way back to Steven K. Roberts who redefined remote work from 1983 to 1991, when he traveled over 10,000 miles across the U.S. on a computerized recumbent bicycle, equipped with a solar powered amateur radio, satellite email, and yes, a pager (essential at the time). His bicycle rig helped him stay connected and productive as he camped out each night (he really took that nomad part seriously). Popular Computing even called him a “high-tech nomad” in a feature. While Roberts was more of a newsworthy anomaly, his version of mobility and work was a forerunner of today’s globalized and versatile workforce.
Fast forward several decades and the digital nomad approach is much more commonplace. Since Estonia pioneered the digital nomad visa in 2019, over 25 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America have followed suit with programs to make it easier to come to their countries. While a few such visas existed pre-pandemic, the global shift toward remote work—coupled with travel restrictions and declining tourism revenue during the pandemic—spurred the rapid expansion of these programs. In addition, a full 16% of U.S. companies are remote for their entire workforce as of 2024. And estimates show that 75 million jobs in the U.S (or 56% of the non-self-employed workforce) work in jobs that are compatible with a remote work arrangement, so the trend may in fact only increase and it has been covered recently in the BBC and Forbes.
Digital Nomad Families
We might think of this as a young single person’s way of life, but some are choosing it as a preferable way to raise their kids. Wes and Rachel Dean have written two articles from their perspective of what it’s like for a family to move to another country. In one they explore how you can use the digital nomad approach to make sure you can live overseas with a family. In another they shared their own story of discovering he could do his role from anywhere and their family could contribute to the mission of God worldwide. GMM also provides some key resources for raising third culture kids that we’ve gathered through the years through our connection to Global Partners.
Most Suitable Vocations
You might wonder what vocations are best suited to being a digital nomad. Well, any career might work for it as long as your company allows it. But those who most often move into the digital nomad life are in these careers:
- Content Creation & Creatives: Writing, editing, graphic design, video editing, social media influencers, photography.
- Tech and IT: Web development, software engineering, computer programming, data analysis, IT support.
- Marketing and Sales: Digital marketing, affiliate marketing, sales consulting.
- Education and Coaching: Online teaching, life/executive/business coaching.
- Business and Consulting: Virtual assistance, business consulting, e-commerce, global entrepreneurialism.
- Finance and Legal: Accounting, financial analysis, legal consulting.
- Healthcare and Wellness: Telemedicine, virtual fitness coaching, virtual dietitians.
- Emerging Technology Fields: Virtual reality development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, crypto.
How the Visas Work
Curious about how digital nomad visas work? Many countries require formal permission to reside and work remotely while employed by an organization based outside their borders. Visa applicants are often asked to provide proof of employment—such as a letter verifying their remote job—to confirm financial stability. Freelancers may also qualify if they can show that their clients are based abroad, as seen in the visa programs offered by Estonia, Georgia, Malta, Montserrat, and the Seychelles.
Most digital nomad visas prohibit working for local employers or launching local businesses. However, Estonia offers a unique exception, allowing limited local work as long as remote employment remains the primary purpose of the stay. Nearly all programs require applicants to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living expenses during their stay, and many set minimum income thresholds. Health insurance coverage is another common requirement, ensuring applicants are prepared for potential medical needs while abroad.
For Global Marketplace Multipliers seeking to expand access to the gospel, digital nomad visas open doors in a growing list of countries. Examples include Sri Lanka, Romania, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Albania, North Macedonia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Turkey, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, the UAE, Hungary, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland. As of November 2024, 66 countries worldwide offer digital nomad visas, with more being added each year.
If you’re already equipped for remote work, this might be your opportunity to combine professional flexibility with cross-cultural gospel impact. Contact us at gmm@gponline.org to let us know this might be your next step with your nudge to the nations!