August 06, 2024

A Digital Country on the Internet is Coming Soon (Here's What You Need To Know)

1 hour 37 minutes

How would you like to get access to a global social safety net on the internet, complete with a “digital country”, with its own passport, tax system, retirement pension, healthcare, and visa access to foreign countries?

The co-founders of SafetyWing have big plans, including Plumia, an internet country founded on who you are and what you believe, rather than where you’re from.

Plumia’s current focus is unlocking borders and expanding global mobility rights to as many people as possible. First up is the Nomad Border Pass, which will provide visa-free travel for up to 10+ countries (as early as 2025).

Then, the Plumia digital passport is on the way, with an anticipated launch date of 2032.

In this episode of the Traveling with Kristin podcast, Kristin Wilson chats with the Executive Director of Plumia, Lauren Razavi, to tell us all about their plan. Lauren is a technologist, political scientist, and global citizen who’s been working remotely since 2010 and nomading since 2013.

Tune in to learn about the new digital country that’s taking the internet by storm, and how you can be a part of it right now!

Special Offers:

The Best Travel Pants by Unbound Merino
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (International Travel Medical Insurance)
Nomad Health by SafetyWing (Global Health Insurance)
Digital Nomads For Dummies book

Topics Discussed:

Lauren’s nomadic background & her career at SafetyWing.
The three countries Lauren calls home.
Culture and cost of living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Nomad Border Pass: A one-stop-shop for digital nomad visas and global mobility.
Covid’s negative impact on visa policies.
How to join Plumia (right now).
Plumia’s official definition/criteria of a digital nomad.
Features of the ideal digital nomad visa & their application process.
Mitigating the long-term negative impacts of gentrification by nomads.
Malaysian Nomad Visa: Why Malaysia’s digital nomad community is growing.
What retirement looks like for Millennials and Gen Z.
Income taxes challenges for digital nomads.
Future plans and goals for Plumia.

Questions Answered:

How did your digital nomad lifestyle lead to your current career?
What are the biggest barriers to global mobility and what solutions have you found?
What is Plumia?
How is Plumia creating an international standard for nomad visas?
What formula should countries use to determine the minimum income requirement for nomad visas?
Can retirees benefit from nomad visas?
Are sabbaticals the new retirement?
Will countries work together to prevent digital nomads from being taxless citizens?
How will Plumia change people’s global identities?

Episode Resources:

Learn more about Plumia and subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated!
Join Plumia Social Gardens
Subscribe to SafetyWing’s Borderless newsletter
Buy Global Natives by Lauren Razavi
Nomad Capitalist

Related Podcasts:

Ep 116: 7 Reasons Why I’ll Never Renounce My US Citizenship
Ep 120: Building the World’s First Country on the Internet with SafetyWing Founder, Sondre Rasch
Ep 122: How To Be Great and Live Your Best Life With Steph Smith io
Ep 131: How To Find Your Home and Your Community Abroad (World Towning Part 2)
Ep 225: 118 Countries and Counting: Ageless Wisdom from a 58-Year-Old Digital Nomad
Ep 227: 10 Countries To Live Well on $1,000 Per Month
Ep 255: Living in Europe, Side Hustle Struggles, and Remote Work Real Talk - Live Call with Kristin
Ep 260: The One Thing 97% of Expats Don't Do