Last updated: June 2026
NomadIndex is a planning database for founders, freelancers, and remote workers comparing visa and residency programs. This page is the reference for our labels, review process, generated content, and known limits.
How visa data is collected
Program records live in a structured dataset covering 22 countries and 60+ immigration routes. Each program includes income thresholds, fees, processing time, stay duration, family inclusion, tax notes, and linked reference URLs.
- Primary references are government immigration portals, ministry sites, and issuing-authority pages where available.
- Secondary references may include embassy pages or official program operators when a single government page is unclear.
- Figures are entered manually and cross-checked internally before being marked as dataset-verified.
- Comparison pages, guides, and tools read from the same dataset — there are no live API calls to government systems.
See data sources for source category definitions.
Data status labels (verification)
Every program carries a data status describing our review state for the record as a whole. These labels describe our dataset — not whether you qualify for a visa:
Dataset verifiedDataset verified — key fields matched our linked reference source at last review.
Under reviewUnder review — figures are being cross-checked against reference sources. Confirm current requirements before applying.
Estimate onlyEstimate only — planning placeholder; core requirements are not confirmed in our dataset yet.
Source confidence levels
Source confidence describes the type of linked reference. A government link does not mean every field is confirmed — only Official source is reserved for dataset-verified records.
Official sourceDataset-verified record linked to an issuing-authority or government source.
Government sourceLinks to a government domain — figures may still be under dataset review.
Secondary sourceThird-party or program-operator reference — confirm with issuing authorities.
EstimatePlanning estimate only — no confirmed official figure in our dataset.
Source review process
When a program is added or updated, reviewers follow this sequence:
- Identify the most specific official page for the program
- Enter or update structured fields from that reference
- Assign source confidence based on link type (official → estimate)
- Set verification status: verified only when key fields match the linked source at review time
- Record last verified (source check) and last reviewed (dataset review) dates on the program record
Programs marked under review remain published with visible badges so planners can use directional data while understanding uncertainty.
Last reviewed dates
Visa program pages display review dates where available:
- Last verified — when the linked reference source was last checked against the record
- Last reviewed — when the NomadIndex dataset entry was last editorially reviewed
Guide pages show datePublished and dateModified in metadata and on-page bylines. Country records use a dataset lastUpdated field reflected in the sitemap.
How compare pages are generated
Each of the 231 country-pair pages is built from structured comparison data plus dynamically generated narrative sections. The generator reads:
- Country summaries, program counts, and comparison table rows
- Income, fee, processing, tax, and pathway fields from both countries
- Heuristic recommendation labels (softened — not legal advice)
- Verification status across programs on both sides
Sections include overview, who should choose each country, cost/tax/residency comparisons, remote-worker and founder suitability, and FAQs. Content is regenerated when underlying comparison or visa data changes — it is not hand-written per pair.
Recommendations use dataset heuristics only. They do not account for nationality, dependents, or individual tax situations.
How planning tools calculate estimates
All four tools read from the static visa dataset at build time:
- Visa Pathway Matcher — filters immigration programs (excluding
type: other) by applicant inputs; returns “may meet” / “insufficient data” — never legal eligibility - Income Requirement Calculator — compares user income against program minimums using stored income periods; currency conversion uses static estimate rates via EUR, not live FX
- Country Comparison Tool — surfaces side-by-side dataset fields for two selected countries
- Relocation Cost Calculator — uses published cost estimates and user inputs; outputs are planning ranges only
Tool outputs are planning estimates based on our local dataset. They do not determine legal eligibility or guarantee approval.
Review cadence
We aim to review high-traffic programs quarterly and the full dataset at least twice per year. Major policy changes may be flagged in guides when identified.
Because immigration rules change without notice, always confirm current requirements directly with the issuing authority before applying.
Dataset limitations
- Income thresholds may be monthly, annual, or program-specific — display is standardised where possible but may not capture every nuance.
- Passport nationality, dependents, health insurance, criminal records, and employer sponsorship rules are not fully modelled.
- Tax notes are general summaries only.
- Currency conversions in tools use static rates, not live FX.
- Comparison recommendations are heuristic — not personalised advice.
- Program availability can depend on consulate, nationality, and local interpretation.
Not legal, tax, or immigration advice
NomadIndex data is for informational and planning purposes only. Requirements change frequently — verify with official government sources before applying.
NomadIndex is not legal, tax, or immigration advice.
For application decisions, consult qualified immigration professionals and licensed tax advisors in the relevant jurisdictions.
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