Straddling visa limits: economic benefit or ethical breach?

My current setup involves bouncing between countries on tourist visas to avoid residency requirements. I tell myself it's a win-win since I spend money locally and don't use social services. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that I'm taking advantage of systems not designed for long-term habitation. Is this a harmless adaptation or a moral gray area for nomads?

3 comments

3 Comments

cameron44355m ago

Paying local taxes on remote income isn't always required, depending on residency rules, right?

reesethompson10h ago

Been there, done that with the visa hopscotch. In Southeast Asia, I'd max out my Thai tourist visa, then bounce to Vietnam for a month, rinse and repeat. What eased my mind was ensuring I paid all local taxes on income earned remotely, which most digital nomads skip. It felt less like gaming the system and more like contributing fairly without overstaying welcome. Setting up a legal entity in one country eventually gave me a proper base, but that took years. The key is transparency with local authorities where possible, even if it's just declaring your funds at immigration.

hall.paul3h ago

That bit about declaring funds at immigration is smart, because that individual transparency could actually push places to create clearer digital nomad policies. If enough people are openly following the rules as they exist, it highlights the need for better rules, not just loopholes. It turns a personal hack into a potential catalyst for systemic change.