UK workers set sights on Bali for post-pandemic work
As travel restrictions begin to ease, more people in the UK searched for ‘work in Bali’ in May than for other popular digital nomadic destinations. People are starting to search for post-pandemic work abroad.
Millions of employed and self-employed people have been working from home since the global pandemic began in 2020. The rise in hybrid working combined with months of travel bans has led many to seek out new destinations from which to find post-pandemic work.
In research conducted by virtual storage specialists, Lovespace, searches for working in Bali appeared to soar in May. Following hot on its heels was Barbados which showed a similar spike in searches during the same month. The searches exceeded those for other well-known digital nomad destinations such as Bangkok and Portugal during the same time period.
‘With restrictions beginning to ease across the UK it is no surprise that people are itching to get back to travelling,’ explains Emily Snape from Lovespace. ‘Many of our customers use our virtual storage to keep their possessions safe and secure whilst working abroad, and Bali has always been a firm favourite with those seeking a more nomadic lifestyle,’ she explains.
Sadly, those looking to travel to Bali may have to wait a little while longer to make their dreams a reality; entry for non-Indonesian residents is currently prohibited except for a limited number of exceptions. It is expected that limited green areas will open up over the summer (guidance here).
Things are looking a little brighter for those travelling to Barbados where all travellers from the UK must arrive with a negative PCR test taken by a certified or accredited laboratory within 3 days of arrival. However, there are different rules on arrival for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers (more guidance here).
Top tips for becoming a digital nomad
If you are planning to become a post-pandemic digital nomad, now is the perfect time to get planning. Here are 5 top tips for preparing to move abroad:
1.Fully research your destination
First thing’s first, it’s essential to do your homework and fully check out the destination you are headed for. This includes local customs, cultures and practices, as well as the best locations for digital nomads. This ensures there will be no hidden surprises nearer the time.
2.Check visas, entry restrictions and quarantine requirements
Most freelancers and digital nomads can travel and work on a standard tourist visa, but it is worth double-checking whether there are any restrictions on post-pandemic work whilst in your chosen country. COVID-19 quarantine requirements vary between countries, so be sure to check what process you’ll face and any associated costs you’ll incur for staying in an approved quarantine hotel.
3.Ensure that you have enough money
You may intend to continue working whilst travelling, but it’s important to ensure you have enough money saved to see you through. It’s also advisable to find a bank account which will be able to handle multiple currencies. Providers such as Revolut allow you to store up to five different currencies and withdraw them from any ATM around the world.
4.Declutter
If you are likely to be gone for some time, it is worth having a thorough sort out of all your stuff. If you are renting your property whilst you are away, you can store furniture, clothing and personal items securely with a storage company like Lovespace, which offer convenient ‘by the box’ storage as well as collection and delivery.
5.Connect with other nomads
You might be looking forward to travelling solo, but it’s always good to have connections in the country you’re heading to. Whether it’s finding the best places to stay or meeting up with others for a co-working session, it’s definitely worth checking out the Nomad Network, a free social network for digital nomads.