Digital Nomad Visas: Do You List Them on Your CV?
I've been working remotely from 12 countries over the past 3 years. Bali, Lisbon, Medellín, Chiang Mai, Barcelona—you name it. And every time I update my CV, I face the same question:
Do I mention the digital nomad thing?
Here's what I've learned: Your visa status doesn't belong on your CV. But your remote work experience absolutely does.
Before you continue, make sure to optimize your resume for remote work to set a strong foundation for your application.
Employers don't care that you have a Portuguese D7 visa or a Thai digital nomad visa. They care about:
- Can you deliver results remotely?
- Can you work across time zones?
- Are you reliable despite the travel?
Let me show you exactly how to position your digital nomad experience on your CV without raising red flags.
Create your remote-work optimized CV with our international templates
The Short Answer: Don't List the Visa, List the Experience
Don't do this:
Visas & Permits
- Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (2023-2025)
- Thailand Elite Visa (2022-2023)
- Schengen Tourist Visa (2021-2022)
Why it fails:
- Visas aren't qualifications
- It makes you look like a tourist, not a professional
- It raises questions about tax status and work authorization
Do this instead:
Software Engineer | TechCorp | Remote (2022-Present)
- Delivered 15+ projects while working remotely from Portugal, Thailand, and Spain
- Managed cross-functional team across 6 time zones (US, EU, APAC)
- Maintained 99% on-time delivery rate despite location changes
Why this works:
- Focuses on results, not travel
- Demonstrates remote work competence
- Shows adaptability and time zone management
When to Mention Your Digital Nomad Experience
Scenario #1: Applying for Remote-First Companies
Companies that love digital nomads:
- Tech startups (especially distributed teams)
- Remote-first SaaS companies
- Digital agencies
- Consulting firms with global clients
How to position it:
In your professional summary:
Remote-first software engineer with 5+ years building products for distributed teams. Experienced working across 6 time zones from 10+ countries, delivering projects on time while managing asynchronous communication and cultural differences.
In your experience section:
Senior Product Manager | RemoteCo | Fully Remote (2021-Present)
- Led product launches while based in Portugal, coordinating with teams in US, UK, and Australia
- Adapted work schedule to overlap with US Pacific time (6pm-2am local) for critical sprint planning
- Built async-first workflows that increased team productivity by 30%
Why this works: It shows you understand remote work challenges and have solved them.
Scenario #2: Applying for Hybrid or Office-Based Roles
Be strategic here. Some companies see "digital nomad" and think "unreliable" or "not committed."
How to handle it:
Option A: Downplay the travel, emphasize the remote work
Marketing Manager | StartupXYZ | Remote (2020-2023)
- Managed $500K ad budget and 3-person team remotely
- Coordinated with stakeholders across US and EU time zones
- Delivered 40% increase in qualified leads while working remotely
No mention of countries. Just "remote."
Option B: Frame it as international experience
Business Development Manager | GlobalCorp | International Remote (2021-2023)
- Expanded into 5 new markets (Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia)
- Leveraged on-the-ground presence in each market to build local partnerships
- Generated $2M in new revenue from international expansion
Why this works: It positions your travel as strategic, not recreational.
Scenario #3: Applying for Roles Requiring Physical Presence
If the job requires you to be in an office or specific location, be upfront:
In your cover letter:
I'm currently based in Lisbon, Portugal, and will be relocating to New York in January 2026 for this role. I have full work authorization in the US and am excited to join the team in person.
On your CV:
Current Location: Lisbon, Portugal (relocating to New York, January 2026)
Why this works: It addresses the elephant in the room and shows you're serious about the role.
How to Format Your CV as a Digital Nomad
Option 1: Add Location to Job Title
Format:
Software Engineer | CompanyName | Remote (Portugal, Thailand, Spain)
Jan 2022 - Present
When to use this: When your travel is relevant to the role (remote-first companies, international roles).
Option 2: Mention It in Your Summary
Format:
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Remote-first UX designer with 6+ years creating user experiences for global audiences. Experienced working from 8 countries across 4 continents, managing projects across multiple time zones and cultural contexts.
When to use this: When you want to highlight adaptability and international perspective.
Option 3: Create a "Remote Work Skills" Section
Format:
REMOTE WORK COMPETENCIES
- Asynchronous communication (Slack, Notion, Loom)
- Time zone management (worked across US, EU, APAC hours)
- Self-directed project management (Asana, Jira, Trello)
- Cross-cultural collaboration (10+ countries, 5 languages)
When to use this: When applying for remote-first roles where these skills are valued.
Option 4: Don't Mention It At All
When to use this: When applying for traditional companies or roles where it might be seen as a negative.
Just list:
Software Engineer | CompanyName | Remote
Jan 2022 - Present
No mention of countries. No mention of travel. Just results.
Common Mistakes Digital Nomads Make on CVs
Mistake #1: Making It About Travel, Not Work
Don't do this:
Traveled to 20 countries while working remotely, experiencing diverse cultures and cuisines.
Why it fails: Sounds like a vacation, not a professional achievement.
Do this instead:
Managed remote team across 6 time zones, adapting communication style and work hours to ensure seamless collaboration and on-time project delivery.
Mistake #2: Listing Visa Dates Instead of Employment Dates
Don't do this:
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: 2023-2025
Do this instead:
Software Engineer | TechCorp | Remote (based in Portugal) Jan 2023 - Present
Mistake #3: Raising Tax and Legal Red Flags
Be careful with wording that suggests tax issues:
Risky:
Worked from 10 countries without a permanent address
Better:
Remote-first professional with experience working internationally while maintaining US tax residency
Why this matters: Employers worry about tax implications, work authorization, and legal compliance.
Mistake #4: Emphasizing Instability
Don't do this:
Moved to a new country every 3 months while working remotely
Why it fails: Sounds unstable and uncommitted.
Do this instead:
Maintained consistent performance and delivery timelines while working remotely from multiple locations
What Employers Actually Care About
I've talked to dozens of hiring managers about digital nomads. Here's what they told me:
The bottom line: Frame everything through the lens of work, not travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I list my digital nomad visa on my CV?
No, don't list the visa itself. Instead, list your remote work experience and location if relevant. Example: "Remote (based in Portugal)" or "Fully remote role, worked from 5 countries." Employers care about your work, not your visa status.
How do I explain working from multiple countries on my CV?
Add location context to your job title or company line. Example: "Software Engineer | CompanyName | Remote (Portugal, Thailand, Spain)" or mention it in your summary: "Remote-first developer with experience managing projects across 6 time zones."
Should You List Your Digital Nomad Visa on Your CV?
Short answer: It depends on the job and how you frame it.
When to include it:
- Applying for remote-first companies
- Roles requiring international experience
- Positions where location flexibility is a selling point
- Companies with distributed teams
When to leave it off:
- Traditional companies that might see it as "unstable"
- Roles requiring specific location/timezone
- Conservative industries (finance, law, government)
How to List It (If You Do) mention my visa status when applying for remote jobs?
Only if it affects your ability to work. For fully remote roles, visa status usually doesn't matter. For roles requiring occasional office presence, mention your location and work authorization. Example: "Currently based in Portugal, authorized to work remotely for US companies."
How do I address time zone differences on my CV?
Demonstrate that you've successfully managed them. Example: "Coordinated with US-based team while working from Europe, maintaining 4-hour overlap for real-time collaboration and delivering all projects on schedule."
Your Digital Nomad CV Checklist
The Bottom Line
Your digital nomad lifestyle is not a qualification. Your remote work skills are.
Don't list your visas. Don't list the countries. Don't make it about travel.
Instead, demonstrate:
- You can deliver results remotely
- You can manage time zones
- You're reliable and self-motivated
- You have the technical setup to work from anywhere
For remote-first companies: Emphasize your international experience and time zone management.
For traditional companies: Downplay the travel, emphasize the remote work competence.
For hybrid roles: Be upfront about your location and willingness to relocate or travel.
Remember: Employers hire you for your skills and results, not your passport stamps. Position your digital nomad experience as a professional advantage, not a lifestyle choice.
Now go build that CV and land your next remote role.
