Dozens of countries started to offer digital nomad visas this year. The last of them was Kazakhstan. Starting from November 1, 2024, Kazakhstan offers so called Neo Nomad Visa. It allows you to live and work in the country up to one year. This step marks Kazakhstan as the first country in Central Asia to offer a visa specifically designed for remote workers. Let’s evaluate the trend of recent years together with Mykhailo Karpenko.
Mykhailo Karpenko is a highly-qualified expert specializing in creating high-load SaaS web platforms using C# and Cloud. From his very childhood he was interested in everything related to electronics and technology, and easily mastered computer programming. In Ukraine Mykhailo developed game scenarios for the online game GTA San Andreas, and founded a game server with a friend with a unique game scenario and elements.
While studying at the Priazovsky State Technical University he interned and worked part time for an American company Artisans Online, where he studied web programming in depth and developed a system for processing orders in the Amazon online store based on Amazon Cloud solutions, and was the lead developer in the team.
In 2017-2021 Mykhailo worked for 888 Holdings as a web developer (through the Ukrainian company Onseo). 888 Holdings is one of the world’s leading companies in the field of betting and gambling. In this company he developed a Bingo project (that was later successfully sold to the other company).
In 2021 he started his work for CDW Corp. – a leading provider of IT solutions and services for business (B2B), government, education and healthcare. In 2022 due to the war in Ukraine relocated to Miami. In addition to programming, Mykhailo is fond of travelling, has visited 40+ countries.
Many countries have introduced digital nomad visas this year. This method of attracting qualified IT specialists is becoming increasingly popular. How effective do you think this method is for the development of the IT sector in different states?
I never thought the term “nomads” would be tied to the IT industry, but here we are. Countries around the world are eager to attract top IT talent because tech is intertwined with every business sector today. I love that we now have the flexibility to not only choose our workplace but also the country we want to live in. If a country lacks enough local specialists, bringing in experienced professionals from abroad can be a game-changer. They can help drive the development of the tech sector, mentor local talent, and share their expertise. It’s a win-win situation.
Taking into account your love of travel, what factors could attract and retain you as a specialist in a particular country? Or is the best way to change your place of stay with a certain frequency anyway? After all, the digital nomad is not tied to a specific place in terms of work?
The world is so diverse that I want to experience it all! I’ve traveled a lot – mostly Europe and Africa, and now I’m in North America. For me, staying in one place for too long feels limiting. I thrive on growth, and that requires the freedom to move. Ideally, I’d like to have a permanent home base in one country while still being able to travel a couple of times a year to explore new, uncharted destinations. That balance between stability and adventure is what keeps life exciting.
You are currently working in the US. What is it about the US that attracts you as a programmer/developer?
The U.S. is fascinating, not just for an IT professional but also for a traveler. It’s incredible to think that within one country, you can find people from every corner of the globe. The variety is unmatched—whether you want an Arctic chill or tropical vibes, it’s all here. On top of that, it feels great to put all those years of studying English to good use in everyday life. From a career perspective, the U.S. offers excellent opportunities for professional growth and launching your own projects, which is exactly what I’m focused on right now.
What skills should a modern IT specialist have in order to be most productive, regardless of where exactly he works, studies or teaches, passing on his knowledge to young experts?
The first thing to understand is that everything we do in IT should deliver value and solve real problems for people. Over my 10 years of experience, I’ve seen many projects that looked amazing, used cutting-edge technology, and worked flawlessly – but they failed because no one actually needed them. The main reason for such failures is that these solutions weren’t aligned with real-world needs.
The foundational skill for any IT specialist is the ability to convert knowledge and expertise into tangible benefits for users or businesses. Regularly ask yourself: “What I’m working on right now – does it provide real value to users? Will it solve a problem or drive meaningful impact?” If the answer is something like, “I’m not sure,” it’s time to step back, reassess, and clarify who you’re building for and why.
Psychology tells us that when you’re honest with yourself and confident that your work brings genuine value to people, you’ll feel a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness. That’s the kind of motivation that not only makes you productive but also makes your work truly meaningful.
