Here’s Why Freelancers and Influencers Are Reconsidering Life Abroad

Just a few years ago, working remotely from a sun-drenched beach in Mexico or a cozy café in Lisbon was the dream—and for many freelancers and influencers, it was the reality. Armed with nothing but a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection, they could make content, manage clients, or consult with brands while bouncing from Bali to Barcelona. But according to this report, in 2025, the once-thriving digital nomad lifestyle is fading fast, as tighter immigration policies, return-to-office mandates, and rising living costs close the door on this era of freedom.

A Lifestyle on Pause

Take William Fischer, for example. He had spent years freelancing and working remotely from across the globe—Spain, South Africa, and beyond—before being offered a full-time position at a fintech startup. The catch? It was fully in-office in New York. Despite attempts to negotiate a hybrid arrangement, the company wouldn’t budge. Ultimately, Fischer gave up his nomadic lifestyle—and his motorcycle adventure through South America—to chase financial stability. His story echoes that of many freelancers and creators who once thrived on geographic freedom and are now feeling pressured to return to more traditional work setups.

Freelancers and Influencers Feel the Squeeze

The pandemic opened up unprecedented opportunities for content creators, freelance marketers, writers, and digital strategists to go global. Influencers shot beach reels in Thailand, consultants logged into Zoom meetings from Portugal, and graphic designers built brand kits from co-working spaces in Argentina. Brands were flexible, and clients didn’t care where their collaborators were located.

But in today’s climate, companies are tightening policies. Even those who permit remote work are now drawing clearer boundaries—workers can log in from home, but only if home is within a country where the company operates or has tax compliance infrastructure. As larger companies grow weary of cross-border complexities and tax risks, independent creators and solo operators are left with fewer options for “work-from-anywhere” gigs.

The End of the Golden Visa Era?

Countries like Portugal, Germany, and Mexico once offered digital nomad visas to attract location-independent workers, aiming to replace lost tourism income with slow-traveling professionals. But the uptake for these visas has been underwhelming. For freelancers and influencers who thrive on spontaneity, the bureaucracy, cost, and time it takes to obtain such visas is a major deterrent.

And even in countries that still welcome remote workers, immigration hurdles are getting higher. From the UK to Canada to the US, new restrictions and greater scrutiny mean fewer long-term opportunities for digital creatives hoping to call another country home—legally or even temporarily.

From Global Hustle to Local Grind

Platforms like Indeed report that job seeker interest in international roles has dropped significantly. Freelancers and contractors once looking for new opportunities abroad are now opting to play it safe. In the face of economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and inconsistent freelance income, the idea of staying close to family—or just within one’s own time zone—has become more appealing.

And while some influencers may still fly out for brand trips or workations, these are increasingly short-term. As Charlotte Wills of Fragomen, an immigration services firm, notes, many people are still working abroad, “just in a different way”—shorter stints, project-based travel, and more structure.

Is the Dream Dead?

Not entirely. Some creators are adapting, finding new ways to sustain their lifestyle without crossing legal or logistical lines. Boutique agencies and startups may still support “work-from-anywhere” contracts, and content creators with established brands may have the leverage to choose their location. But these cases are becoming rarer.

In truth, the digital nomad trend hasn’t disappeared—it’s simply matured. For many, the suitcase life has given way to home offices, rooted relationships, and the reality that not all beaches have good Wi-Fi. As Marisa Meddin of Beach Commute puts it, “A lot of people got a taste of freedom and feel like employers are now ripping that away.”

The beach isn’t gone—it’s just not the office anymore.