Digital nomad visas and regional integration in MERCOSUR: gaps in communication and policy coordination

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Abstract
The rise of digital nomadism — individuals who leverage digital technologies to work remotely while traveling — represents a new form of migration that challenges traditional boundaries between work, mobility, and residence (Hannonen, 2020; Mancinelli, 2025). As the global digital nomad population grows exponentially (MBO Partners, 2022), it demands new migration frameworks capable of addressing the needs of location-independent workers. Digital nomad visas (DNVs) have emerged internationally as institutional responses to this phenomenon, facilitating regulated mobility while fostering economic opportunities (Farrell, O'Sullivan, & O'Brien, 2023). This study investigates the current status of DNV initiatives within MERCOSUR, employing a qualitative analysis of official websites and migration policy documents. Despite MERCOSUR’s foundational goal of promoting free movement (Brumat & Acosta, 2019), there is no unified legal framework for DNVs, resulting in regulatory inconsistencies and limited public communication. While Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay have introduced DNV programs with common criteria, Paraguay has yet to implement a specific initiative. A benchmarking comparison with the European Union’s coordinated policy discussions (European Migration Network, 2021) highlights the critical role of formal communication and harmonization in managing contemporary migration flows. Using the conceptual lenses of regionalism and regionalization (Hettne, 2005; Mansfield & Solingen, 2010), the study argues that MERCOSUR’s fragmented approach to digital nomadism reveals broader challenges in adapting migration governance to the realities of digital mobility and networked work.

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