By introducing a blockchain-based digital nomad visa supported by the Solana network and gamified financial involvement, Bhutan has made an ambitious step into the future of global mobility. Foreign professionals can now reside and work in the Himalayan monarchy for a maximum of 36 months if they fulfil certain requirements.

This program is the first in the world to combine investment in Bhutan's developing cryptocurrency economy with the flexibility of remote employment.

Bhutan's version of the digital nomad program is different from others since it links residency to an on-chain asset called TER, a gold-backed token that must be obtained and retained in order to be eligible for the visa. Traditional programs often need evidence of income, insurance, and annual fees.

• What the Solana-Backed Nomad Visa Requires?
• How It Differs From Traditional Nomad Visas?
• Why Bhutan Is Betting on Crypto for Residency?
• What This Means for Global Digital Nomads?

What the Solana-Backed Nomad Visa Requires?

An obligatory $10,000 investment in TER tokens, a digital asset generated on the Solana blockchain, is the foundation of the scheme. To be eligible for a digital nomad visa, applicants need to:

• Purchase and hold $10,000 worth of TER, a token that represents a share in gold-backed value on the Solana network.
• Pay administrative application fee of $2,800.
• Submit required documents through designated online platform.

This is one of the most permissive long-term nomad visas in the world, allowing holders to live and work in Bhutan for up to 36 months after fulfilling these requirements.

It is significant to note that the $10,000 in TER is recoverable at the end of the visa term, thus it functions more like a locked refundable deposit than a fee.

How It Differs From Traditional Nomad Visas?

The majority of nations that grant visas for digital nomads, including Estonia, Portugal, and Dubai, need bank statements, proof of steady income, or standard application fees. Bhutan's strategy differs drastically since it:

• incorporates blockchain technology into the application procedure for residence.
• encourages involvement in the country's digital asset economy.
• establishes a clear connection between residency and ownership of a gold-backed tokenised asset.

Bhutan's broader objective of embracing digital currency and blockchain innovation while maintaining the economic value of actual assets is seen in this combination of sovereign digital assets with immigration.

A sovereign nation is issuing visas backed by tokenized gold on Solana.

The future of Internet capital markets is already here. https://t.co/92IhJIWMYa

— Solana (@solana) February 24, 2026

Why Bhutan Is Betting on Crypto for Residency?

Bhutan's transition to a visa-driven by cryptocurrency is not occurring in a state of inertia. It is part of a larger attempt to modernise the nation's economy while maintaining a strong commitment to its long-term sustainability goals and cultural values.

With its Gross National Happiness philosophy and tightly controlled tourism industry, where tourists paid daily fees and had little flexibility to wander around, Bhutan stood out for years.

Although that strategy assisted in preserving the nation's legacy, Bhutan is now obviously reconsidering how it fits within a rapidly shifting global environment. While keeping in mind the values that have traditionally characterised it, it is welcoming new ideas and digital experts.

By introducing tokenised assets like TER, Bhutan is encouraging foreign investors to participate in a digital reserve backed by real gold, in addition to drawing in remote labour.

In a world where extremely volatile cryptocurrencies rule, this is a remarkable approach that creates a possible new stream of cash while anchoring value in something real.

In addition, the nation has already garnered media attention for its ownership of digital assets and crypto mining activities, which distinguishes it from the majority of countries experimenting with blockchain.

As an unexpected but significant player in the future of digital money, Bhutan seems to be integrating cryptocurrency into its economic plan rather than considering it as a side project.

What This Means for Global Digital Nomads?

Bhutan's step is an appreciated shift for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers who wish to live overseas without having to deal with a ton of paperwork. It offers the opportunity to participate in the expanding digital economy along with the freedom of working from any location.

Bhutan is adopting a different approach in contrast to the majority of nomad visas, which are based on paychecks and employment contracts.

Applicants are encouraged to engage in a token-based economy, obtain residence through a digital asset backed by gold, and have the opportunity to stay for up to three years, which is a far longer period of time than many nomad programs already in place.

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