This case study is for digital nomads who get paid or work with clients via freelance platforms. Samantha was among the first to apply for a digital nomad visa at the end of 2022, back when the requirements were still being fine-tuned. Samantha, based in the UK, worked remotely for a Latvian company and received payments through the freelance platform EasyStaff.
If you’re in a similar situation—getting paid or working through a third-party platform and planning to apply for a digital nomad visa—this case study will guide you through the process, using Samantha’s experience as an example. At the end, we’ll provide practical advice on how to fill out your documents to avoid complications.
Applying for the Digital Nomad Visa: Key Details
Samantha lived in the UK and worked for a Latvian company, receiving payments through EasyStaff. Her client, a Latvian bank, would transfer money to the platform, which then sent it to one UK bank, from where it would be deposited into Samantha’s account at another bank.
Challenges During Samantha’s Application Process
One of the mandatory requirements for a digital nomad visa is providing proof of income for the last three months. However, Samantha refused to submit a bank statement. She explained that due to the complex payment scheme, the statement didn’t clearly show where the payments were coming from. Instead, Samantha opted to submit payment screenshots from EasyStaff.
Unfortunately, despite our advice about potential risks, Samantha stuck with her decision. We submitted a letter from her Latvian employer and payment screenshots from EasyStaff. Naturally, the immigration authorities had valid concerns about the source of her income and whether she had enough funds to qualify for the visa.
Additional Document Requests and the Refusal
After submitting the documents, Samantha received an additional request from immigration authorities, which is common and can happen for various reasons. In this case, they requested a bank statement, which she had not provided.
The immigration office also wanted proof of the working relationship between Samantha and EasyStaff, mistakenly assuming the platform was her second employer. They also asked Samantha to show additional funds in her account.
Samantha had already transferred most of her funds out of the UK, leaving very little in her account. Unfortunately, she couldn’t show sufficient remaining funds. In the end, we received a refusal for the visa and immediately filed an appeal.
The Appeal Process: Clarifying Samantha’s Payments
After the refusal, Samantha allowed us to prepare her documents using the bank statement this time. It’s important to always present new documents when appealing. For Samantha, we needed to demonstrate her steady monthly income using the bank statement and explain how she received payments through EasyStaff.
We also requested a new letter from Samantha’s Latvian employer, explaining why EasyStaff was used for payments and what percentage EasyStaff retained when transferring funds.
In the appeal letter, we described in detail how Samantha worked with her client and received payments via EasyStaff, attaching supporting documents for each step.
What Happened Next in Samantha’s Case
We received a response from the Consulate, stating that the appeal was partially successful: the refusal was annulled, and Samantha’s case would be re-examined as part of the standard process.
Pay attention to the timeline: we submitted the appeal on 19 January, and on 11 June, Samantha was granted the residence permit—backdated to 19 January. Appeals always take time, and in this case, it took six months, but the visa was granted from the date of the appeal’s submission.
In the end, Samantha received her visa and is now enjoying her life in Spain.
Advice for Freelancers Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa
If your situation is similar to Samantha’s, we strongly recommend submitting your bank statement right away, even if it doesn’t clearly show where the payments are coming from. In that case, you’ll need to provide a thorough explanation:
- Detail how you work with your clients.
- Describe the process of working with a third-party platform.
- In the employer’s letter, clearly explain everything about the platform’s involvement and how the work is paid for.
If, like Samantha, you think you may not have enough documents or they might not be convincing enough, contact us! A migration expert will review your case and assess the risks during a free consultation.