5 ms·

Depends on your definition of tourist. If you are there for legitimate business within that country that is obviously a big no-no. If you are a tourist who wor

Depends on your definition of tourist. If you are there for legitimate business within that country that is obviously a big no-no. If you are a tourist who works for a foreign company while visiting a country, well I don't know a single person who has been actually deported for this. I know it can happen, but most places seem to not care much, and mostly care you're spending your money in their country. I am a digital nomad myself for about 1/2 every year so I do have my biases though.

alibarber 3y ago
My definition of tourist is unimportant. That of the person at the border with the ability to deprive you of your liberty is.
- nicbou 3y ago
  And when did that definition get people in trouble?
  - alibarber 3y ago
    When they ‘pretend’ they are doing it when they are not.
someguydave 3y ago
That the law is rarely enforced does not make the law invalid or unenforceable.
mdasen 3y ago
I agree that people are really unlikely to be deported for this, but I'm not sure that countries would treat you favorably if you walked up to immigration and said "I'm here to work in your country on a tourist visa, but don't worry because I'm just working remotely for a foreign company." I think a big part of this is that it's basically impossible to find digital nomads. How would a country know if you're in a hotel room or coffee shop working on your laptop? If you don't tell anyone what you're doing, they aren't going to know. Digital nomads also don't trigger the same "taking a job that a local could have" fear that drives a lot of immigration policies. As you note, you're just a person in that country spending money. However, you're also probably not paying taxes. I think there's a bit of a tension there. On the one hand, you're bringing in foreign money. On the other hand, you're using services just as a resident would and not paying all the taxes (you are likely paying some taxes like sales/VAT). Ultimately, I think a big part is that countries haven't figured out what to think of digital nomads. Heck, companies haven't figured out how to feel about them. Companies still haven't settled on whether remote workers should be paid less if they move to a cheaper location.

alibarber 3y ago

My definition of tourist is unimportant. That of the person at the border with the ability to deprive you of your liberty is.

nicbou 3y ago
And when did that definition get people in trouble?
- alibarber 3y ago
  When they ‘pretend’ they are doing it when they are not.

someguydave 3y ago

That the law is rarely enforced does not make the law invalid or unenforceable.

mdasen 3y ago

I agree that people are really unlikely to be deported for this, but I'm not sure that countries would treat you favorably if you walked up to immigration and said "I'm here to work in your country on a tourist visa, but don't worry because I'm just working remotely for a foreign company." I think a big part of this is that it's basically impossible to find digital nomads. How would a country know if you're in a hotel room or coffee shop working on your laptop? If you don't tell anyone what you're doing, they aren't going to know. Digital nomads also don't trigger the same "taking a job that a local could have" fear that drives a lot of immigration policies. As you note, you're just a person in that country spending money. However, you're also probably not paying taxes. I think there's a bit of a tension there. On the one hand, you're bringing in foreign money. On the other hand, you're using services just as a resident would and not paying all the taxes (you are likely paying some taxes like sales/VAT). Ultimately, I think a big part is that countries haven't figured out what to think of digital nomads. Heck, companies haven't figured out how to feel about them. Companies still haven't settled on whether remote workers should be paid less if they move to a cheaper location.