Digital Nomad — Tuna Ozcan

20+

Colombian Cities

DNV Obtained

Countries in Progress

22+

Years Remote-Capable

The honest version

What is a Digital Nomad?

A digital nomad is someone who earns income remotely — through employment, freelancing, or running a business — while living in countries other than their home country. The work happens online. The location is flexible.

The term gets misused constantly. Instagram makes it look like laptops on beaches. The reality is closer to: stable internet connection, time zone management, local tax compliance, and figuring out healthcare in a country where you don't speak the language yet.

What it actually is

Working serious hours from a rented apartment. Dealing with visa bureaucracy. Building routines in cities you don't know. Managing client calls across time zones. Finding coworking spaces when your landlord's WiFi dies.

What Instagram shows

Cocktails on rooftops. "Working" from hammocks. Permanent vacation energy. Zero mention of the 3 AM client emergencies, bureaucratic delays, or the isolation that hits harder than expected.

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a legal residency permit that lets you live in a country long-term while working remotely for clients or employers outside that country. It's different from a tourist visa (limited stay, technically no working) and a work visa (requires local employment).

Most DNVs require proof of remote income above a minimum threshold, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and valid passport. The specific requirements vary significantly by country.

My situation: I'm a network engineer with Cisco and IBM certifications working remotely. I chose Colombia as my first DNV because of the lifestyle, cost of living, time zone compatibility with US/European clients, and — honestly — because I was already there.

My DNV Journey