Can I employ digital nomads in the UK?

A digital nomad is a person who uses technology (like a laptop and a wireless network) to facilitate working from anywhere in the world. Digital nomads often change their location on a regular basis to combine work and relaxation.

Until recently, digital nomads were less common, but the global Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of this remote way of working by many major organisations around the globe. Now many businesses offer not only working from home to their employees, but also working from anywhere.

As a consequence, many countries have adjusted their immigration policies to attract these digital nomads to their shores. There are now over 50 countries that either offer a visa specifically for this target audience, or that have adjusted some of their more traditional visa routes to make them more attractive to digital nomads, and the number keeps rising.

Unfortunately, the UK is not one of these countries. More traditional, longer-term work visas for employed or self-employed workers must be applied for before work can be undertaken in the UK, although there are some visas which facilitate shorter-term work.

For businesses and individuals it is very important to evaluate which digital nomad (or work) visa is the most suitable for their particular circumstances, and care must be taken to ensure that all tax and social security laws are complied with, both in the ‘home country’ of the digital nomad, as well as the country adopted for work.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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