Plumia

How do you create a truly successful visa for digital nomads? By focusing on the end-user's experience, says Estonian entrepreneur Karoli Hindriks. We couldn't agree more! Dive into our latest Plumia Talks blog post below, written by Leanna Lee ???? #futureofwork #digitalnomads #workfromanywhere #remotework #nomadvisas #digitalnomadvisas #policy #govtech #migration #globalmobility #estonia #immigration https://lnkd.in/g2UZNn6q

I just launched a free email version of my book Global Natives about the rise of the nomad movement! ???? Please upvote and comment on Product Hunt below to help me spread the word ???? Thanks to Ali Abdaal (YouTuber and author of Feel Good Productivity), Dr. Parag Khanna (author of Move and The Future Is Asian) and Paul Cooper (creator of the Fall of Civilisations podcast) for these wonderful endorsements ???? And thanks to the incredible Abril Carli and Eman Zabi for working with me on the launch ???? https://lnkd.in/efKK3ATG #digitalnomad #remotework #workfromanywhere #futureofwork

Hot off the press, available Open Access for all to read ?? an article co-written with Pascal Beckers! This is the first article in a series of my upcoming work dealing with digital nomad visas and their reception by the digital nomad community themselves. "This article presents a comparative case study of the “Digital Nomad Visas” (DNVs) of Croatia, Thailand and Spain. Analysing common themes for these visas, the article identifies varying policy rationales that have guided their development, naming these the tourism, wealth accumulation and immigration rationales. The article then introduces a two-scale typology of DNVs centred around the dimensions of civic attachment and temporality. The findings illustrate the evolving nature of DNVs from ad hoc pandemic responses to strategic tools for socio-economic development and draw attention to the visas’ role in the broader context of global mobilities and labour market transformations."

Will Morocco become digital nomad hotspot?? I am just back from Digital Nomad Connect Morocco, invite-only conference with Government Representatives, researchers and community leaders. ???????????? It was one of the best events I have ever attended in remote work and digital nomad industry! Huge congratulations for SafetyWing Plumia, Moroccan Government Representatives, speakers and everybody involved! ???????? It was my first time in Morocco and it exceeded my expectations. Open Government leaders, a multicultural place with welcoming locals. It really has everything to become a nomad hotspot and it fact it is already happening! ???? Considering its priviledged geographical location, low cost of living and many airline connections it can actually become soon a leading place in Africa for digital nomads winter destination. ???? However for Morocco to fully leverage digital nomad opportunity there has to be a proper long term strategy on how to not only attract but also manage and retain these professionals. Long term benefits and real impact only happens when a country facilitates connection and integration of digital nomads with local communities???? What are your thoughts on Morocco and its potential?? The Remote Impact Lauren Razavi @Faical Alaoui Gon?alo Hall Othman Hibatallah Fabiola Mancinelli Kaisu Koskela Hans Meyer Arifah Sharifuddin Pallas Mudist Chance McAllister Luke Poulson Abril Carli K. Barrett Bilali Wael Mohamed Aaminou ?? Mark Birch ?? Naldi Martínez Molina Amine Chbani Driss Rhafes Stefan Heggelund Megan Carnegie Lindsey Elkin Ernest Chrappah Mohammed LACHGAR #remotework #digitalnomadism #theremoteimpact #futureofwork

The Digital Nomads Connect Morocco saw the unveiling of “A multilateral standard for digital nomad visas” by Plumia and SafetyWing. This non-binding standard proposes to harmonise definitions, coordinate approaches, streamline procedures and expand the global “digital nomad” market. The paper also highlighted the important role by interested states in the development and implementation of this standard, and this is where Malaysia is poised to potentially become the State Champion in piloting the standard with other interested states. This journey would be long and arduous, but it has to begin now. MDEC looks forward to the publication of this international nomad visa standard and continue its collaborative partnership with SafetyWing and Plumia in making global mobility for digital nomads a reality. Please do visit https://mdec.my/derantau to know more on this initiative. #SayaDigital #MalaysiaDigital

Cities have long competed against each other for economic development with tax breaks, but this traditional economic development model has been upended by technology, remote work, and the rise of digital nomadism.? Last week, at the Digital Nomads Connect summit in Morocco’s coastal city of Essaouira, I had the honor of sharing my insights on strategies for cities to prepare for digital nomads. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot professionally and personally. Essaouira is taking steps to become a destination for digital nomads and borderless citizens, and I am excited about the potential that the city holds.? During the summit, I connected with digital nomads, government leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators, and I was impressed by the affordability, public safety, startup ecosystem, culture, creatives, leaders, and Techno Park in Essaouira. The conference content, programming, schedule, and invite-only attendees curated by SafetyWing and their partners were top-notch. Moreover, I had an eye-opening moment in the Bayt Dakira hearing Andre Azoulay, Adviser to King Mohammed VI, talk about the history of coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Morocco. It was a testament to the power of diversity and inclusion. Overall, my experience in Essaouira was great, and I am bullish that the Province of Essaouira will continue to take great strides in making Morocco a destination for digital nomads. Cc: Fabiola Mancinelli Kaisu Koskela Gon?alo Hall Hans Meyer Amine Chbani Arifah Sharifuddin Rambod Behboodi ?? Mark Birch ?? Lauren Razavi Anna Maria Kochanska Chance McAllister Othman Hibatallah Pallas Mudist Lindsey Elkin Arnaud Bonzom Sana Shajarisales Stefan Heggelund

?? Just wrapped up 2 days in Essaouira at the Connect Morocco Summit ?? The summit brought together thought leaders across startups, policy makers, investors & the digital nomad community to share insights into how innovation thrives in emerging cities and countries. Some key takeaways: ? The digital nomad movement is growing, with 17.3 million Americans identifying as nomads. ? Digital nomads are proven positive contributors to emerging startup ecosystems. ? Over 60 visa programs launched to attract a global talent pool of nomads & entrepreneurs. ? Morocco ranks 5th in Africa in the number of developers and 2nd in ease of doing business. ? Most common industries for Moroccan startups are e-commerce, mobility & fintech. ? Exits are few (6 in 2 years), but deal activity continues with $93M across 17 deals in 2023. ? Technopark Morocco provides startups modern coworking spaces & community across 6 Moroccan cities. With trends in remote work, ease of global mobility, and countries like Malaysia and Estonia leading the way with simpler visa programs, Morocco has an opportunity to become a global attractor for nomads and entrepreneurs. This in turn supports local economic growth and innovation. As for Essaouira, I believe it's a city that has a lot going for it. Despite being much smaller than more well-known cities like Casablanca, Rabat & Marrakesh, the town is a desirable location with its laid back vibes, diverse culture, and highly creative populace. Thank you Lauren Razavi, Stefan Heggelund, Eman Zabi, and the SafetyWing team for inviting me, as well as Faical Alaoui for gathering so many key people in the Moroccan startup, government and innovation sectors. And much gratitude to all the excellent speakers who shared their insights this week ?????? #Morocco #startups #digitalnomads #community #AWS

Last week, I had the privilege of being part of the fantastic Connect Summit in Essaouira, Morocco - an invitation-only gathering of remote work advocates, government representatives, policy makers and a few of us academics, co-hosted by Plumia and SafetyWing. I’ve already gushed over how impactful I felt the design of the Summit was: a curated participant list, a pre-defined scope and room in the programme to have those follow-up talks, ask each other further questions and build connections. Truly a best practises example for impactful events ?? ?? ?? For me, having spent the best part of 2023 researching not just Digital Nomad Visas, but also the somewhat lacklustre reception of them by digital nomads themselves, I’ve become quite jaded to think that the two sides could ever see eye to eye… but at the Connect Summit they did, rather literally! Getting to share opinions and knowledge with people working on the same issues from different perspectives (legal, policy, academic, economic, personal…) is a rare treat. And to have so many people eager to learn all sides of the story, even more rare. It honestly felt like a perfect reflection of what I feel my contribution as an ‘insider researcher’ (a digital nomad academic studying her own tribe) should be to the community: to help mediate for a mutually beneficial, global system for remote working mobilities. ? ? I agree with Plumia’s mission for a more egalitarian future of global mobility rights. During my turn on stage, I also spoke about the often overlooked group of digital nomads with weaker passports, and how limiting the current mobility rights scene is for them. Increasing global hiring practices are for their part already enabling the benefits of remote work to extend to (select) citizens from developing countries. But one's place of birth is still determining their (lack of) rights of movement. Digital Nomad Visas, despite their shortcomings, are one step in the right direction, as many of them do not discriminate against applicants based on their passports. Well done to the countries that have taken this route! ??? ?? ?? ?? Personally (and professionally), the most interesting part of the Summit was the first outing of the Plumia Policy Paper presented by Rambod Behboodi. Keep your eyes out for the launch of this suggestion for a multilateral standard for DNVs coming soon, it could very well be the concrete next step needed to take nomadic work-life practises out of the grey zone! Thank you to everyone for the part that they play ???? #digitalnomads #visas #mobilityrights #policymaking Fabiola Mancinelli Lauren Razavi Stefan Heggelund Luke Poulson Pallas Mudist Arifah Sharifuddin Gon?alo Hall Hans Meyer Lindsey Elkin Amine Chbani Ernest Chrappah Arnaud Bonzom Anna Maria Kochanska ?? Mark Birch ?? Chance McAllister Othman Hibatallah Naldi Martínez Molina Eman Zabi Technopark Essaouira RUNOMI

Japan's new visa opens its door to nomad travelers—but only a crack. With a steep income requirement—considerably higher than European nations require—it raises the question: Is nomadism only a privilege the wealthy can afford? https://lnkd.in/dfrBqfEN

Flexibility isn’t free, especially if you’re a woman The gender pay gap is a long-observed phenomenon in workplaces worldwide, and researchers finally have enough data to analyze the role of gender in remote work specifically. Is it the “great leveler” as some claim, or do female remote workers face additional trade-offs? https://lnkd.in/ePkZnwci