The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live, work, and play. Most countries are in various stages of lockdown with enforced social distancing, and millions more than before are now working from home instead of the traditional office environment. Heck, large corporate entities like Airbnb, American Express, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, PayPal, and Twitter have all announced that their employees can work from home long-term or even permanently; and some of the middle and upper-income earners from these companies are not content with waiting out the coronavirus pandemic cooped up in their home offices are researching and applying for a digital nomad visa from programs across the world including a few from the Caribbean.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
So what exactly is a digital nomad visa? Well, a digital nomad visa, sometimes referred to as a remote worker visa or temporary resident visa, allows a person the opportunity to live in a foreign country for an extended period without being subject to that country’s tax laws and without having to go through the often laborious process to obtain a residency visa or citizenship.
A digital nomad visa allows for a more extended stay than a typical tourist visa, but persons are limited when it comes to employment. Most of the programs do not allow digital nomad visa recipients to apply for local jobs. It is expected that persons who are granted a digital nomad visa will be remote workers or have the financial means to support themselves. To ensure that digital nomad applicants do not become a burden, most of the programs have an income threshold or require a certain amount of funds in the bank. Another requirement for most remote worker visa programs is that persons have a clean police record, travel insurance, and health insurance.
View of the West Coast of Barbados. Photo Credit: © Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Caribbean Digital Nomad Visa Programs
Most Caribbean destinations have long since allowed the majority of their visitors (American, Canadian, and European) to stay for 30 to 90 days without a visa. Some, like Jamaica, allow for an extension of stay while on the island. However, this hasn’t been actively marketed to tourists who typically visit for 7 to 14 days and then return to their country of origin. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has been disrupted, and destinations are looking for ways to improve the Caribbean tourism product, entice visitors and make up lost revenue. One idea that has taken off is digital nomad programs targeted at remote workers from key source markets, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Barbados was first out the gate launching their Barbados Welcome Stamp in July 2020. The Barbados digital nomad visa program has already attracted about 2,000 applicants, with 1,200 coming from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. At US$2,000 per applicant, that’s US$4 million in revenue for the government of Barbados. Then you factor in housing, utilities, transportation, food, etc.; from the 2,000 applicants now digital nomads living in Barbados for 12 months with the opportunity to extend, this is a much more sustainable and profitable revenue stream than regular tourists who typically spends less than the digital nomad application fee on vacation. Thus it is no surprise that there are now nine Caribbean destinations where you can work remotely for at least one year. More digital nomad visa programs are sure to launch in the coming months.
The nine Caribbean countries with digital nomad programs looking to attract remote workers who can stay for at least one year include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, and Montserrat. All the digital nomad visa programs in the Caribbean allow you to apply online and provide a response within 14 business days after submitting all the necessary documents.
UPB remote working from the Zoetry Montego Bay in Jamaica.
Work From Anguilla
Launched: August 2020
Application Fee: US$2,000 for individuals and US$3,000 for families (main applicants plus three dependents) plus US$250 for each additional family member.
Decision: within 14 business days of receiving a complete application.
Visa Length: 91 days to 12 months. The Work From Anguilla is valid for up to one year.
Requirements:
Persons wishing to work remotely in Anguilla will need to complete the one Work From Anguilla application online and submit the following documents:
- proof of employment or Business Incorporation Certificate
- proof of visas (where applicable)
- police record with a validity of not more than six (6) months for all applicants 18 years and older
- proof of relationship to dependents
- copy of birth certificate for self, partner, and dependents
- copy of passport picture page
Antigua Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Visa
Launched: September 2020
Application Fee: US$1,500 for individuals, US$2,000 for couples, and US$3,000 for families of three persons or over.
Decision: within 14 business days of receiving a complete application.
Visa Length: 24 months. The 2-year Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Visa is valid from the arrival date in Antigua and Barbuda for two years.
Requirements:
- job earning an income of at least US$50,000 and/or have the means to support self, spouse/partner, and dependents
- clean criminal record
- valid health insurance coverage
Persons wishing to work remotely in Antigua & Barbuda will need to complete the online Antigua Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Visa application and submit the following documents
- full-color passport size photo for each applicant and any dependent(s)
- full-color scan of the passport photo page
- full-color copy of spouse and dependent(s) passport bio-page. Passports must be valid for more than the (2) years
- birth certificate of the applicant, spouse, and any dependent(s)
- marriage certificate
- certificate of medical insurance coverage of applicant and dependent(s) for the period of intended stay in Antigua and Barbuda
- police clearance for each applicant and dependents over the age of 16
- notarized letter of relationship (if not married) for partner or proof of guardianship of dependent, of whom the application is made, by the main applicant
- proof of employment, including self-employment
- proof of funds by the principal applicant only, certifying
o (a) Expected income of no less than US$50,000 for each year of the two years in Antigua and Barbuda
o (b) That he or she has the means to support himself or herself and any accompanying dependent(s) during the (2) two years of stay in Antigua and Barbuda
A view of UNESCO World Heritage Nelson’s Dockyard National Park in Antigua & Barbuda.
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Launched: July 2020
Application Fee: US$2,000 (BDS$4,000) for individuals and US$3,000 (BDS$6,000) for families.
Decision: within 48 hours of receiving a complete application.
Visa Length: One year. The 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp is issued on arrival into Barbados and is valid from that date for 12 months.
Requirements:
- job earning an income of at least US$50,000 and/or have the means to support self, spouse/partner, and dependents
- valid health insurance coverage
Persons wishing to work or study remotely in Barbados will need to complete the online Barbados Welcome Stamp application and submit the following documents
- two passport-sized photographs
- biodata page of the passport
- copy of birth certificate for self, partner, and dependents
- proof of relationship of dependents
- entry visa (where applicable)
View of Palazzate, a 75,000 sq ft luxury beachfront mansion in Barbados. Photo Credit: © Palazzate.
Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS)
Launched: October 2020
Application Fee: US$1,025 for work professionals and US$525 for college students inclusive of the application and permit fee.
Decision: within 5 business days of receiving a complete application.
Visa Length: The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay visa is valid for up 12 months from the date of issue. The Bahamas remote worker visa is renewable on a case-by-case basis for a maximum period of up to three years.
Requirements:
- financial means to support self, spouse/partner, and dependents
- valid health insurance coverage
- clean criminal record
Persons wishing to work remotely in The Bahamas will need to complete the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay application online and submit the following documents:
- a valid passport
- proof of medical insurance for the primary applicant and all dependents
- for work professionals, a letter from your current employer or proof of self-employment and income
- for college students, proof of enrollment in an accredited learning institution, as well as proof of sufficient funds to cover living and return travel expenses.
Couple in a hammock on Beach in The Bahamas. Photo Credit: ©Bahamas Tourist Office.
Work From Bermuda Certificate
Launched: August 2020
Application Fee: US$263
Decision: within five business days of receiving a complete application
Visa Length: 12 months and renewable on a case-by-case basis. The 12-month time period begins on the date the Work From Bermuda Certificate is issued.
Requirements:
- be at least 18 years old and pay the application fee
- not have been convicted of a crime in Bermuda or elsewhere
- possess valid health insurance coverage
- demonstrate employment with a legitimate company or your own company registered and operating outside of Bermuda, in the case of a remote worker
- provide evidence of enrollment in research, undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate program, in the case of a student
- have substantial means and/or have a continuous source of annual income
Persons wishing to work or study remotely in Bermuda will need to complete the online Work From Bermuda Certificate application and submit the following documents
- proof of employment or evidence of school enrolment
- color scan of the passport photo page
- color scan of visa information
Aerial View of Bermuda. Photo Credit: © Bermuda Tourism Authority.
Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Program
Launched: October 2020
Application Fee: US$1,469 per annum for a party of 2 persons plus US$500 per dependent, per annum
Decision: within 14 business days of receiving a complete application
Visa Length: 24 months. The 2-year Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Program visa is valid from the date of arrival in the Cayman Islands and for two years after that. The 2-year period must start within 12 months of approval, and if the applicant loses their job, then the visa will become invalid.
Requirements:
- job earning an income of at least US$100,000 annually, if applying as an individual or US$150,000 annually if applying with an accompanying spouse/civil partner or US$180,000 annually, if applying with an accompanying spouse/civil partner and/or dependent(s)
- clean criminal record
- valid health insurance coverage
Persons wishing to work remotely in the Cayman Islands will need to complete the online application for the Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Program and submit the following documents
- job letter showing proof of employment with an entity outside of the Cayman Islands
- notarized bank reference with six months of bank statements
- proof of identity, including birth certificates for self, partner, and dependents
- evidence of marital status/civil partnership
- police clearance for self, partner, and dependents over 18 years of age
- valid passports for each applicant
- proof of health insurance
Seafire Northsound Sunrise in the Cayman Islands. Photo Credit: © Dart Real Estate.
@HOME in Curaçao
Launched: February 2021
Application Fee: US $294
Decision: within 14 business days of receiving a complete application.
Visa Length: The remote worker’s program in Curacao allows a maximum stay period of six months with the possibility of an extension for another six months.
Requirements:
Persons wishing to work remotely in Curacao will need to complete the @HOME in Curacao application online and submit the following documents:
- Proof of payment of the application fee
- Clear copy of passport picture page
- Proof of international insurance, ideally with COVID-19 coverage
- Proof of solvency including a recent declaration of assignment, if the applicant owns a company in their country of origin or a declaration from the applicant’s employer in their country of origin, or a recently certified copy of an employment contract
Curacao: De Handelskade in Willemstad
Dominica Work In Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa
Launched: March 2021
Application Fee: Each applicant pays a non-refundable fee of US$100. Successful applicants have a Work In Nature (WIN) fee. For single applicants, this is US$800, and for families, US$1,200. For a business with multiple applicants, there is a fee of US$800 plus US$500 for each additional employee for a business applying for four or more employees.
Decision: within seven business days of receiving a complete application. Applicants then have 30 days to make the Work In Nature extended-stay visa payment.
Visa Length: The Work In Nature (WIN) extended-stay visa is valid for 18 months and is issued upon arrival in Dominica.
Requirements:
- at least 18 years old
- job earning an income of at least US$50,000 and/or have the means to support self, spouse/partner, and dependents
- a good character without a criminal record
- valid health insurance coverage
Persons wishing to work or study remotely in Dominica will need to complete the online Work In Nature visa application and submit the following documents
- passport-sized photographs for all applicants
- biodata page of the passport for the main applicant and all family members
- copy of the birth certificate for the main applicant, partner, and dependents
- proof of relationship of dependents (including birth, marriage, or adoption certificate)
- police record(s) for the main applicant and all family members 18 years and over
- bank reference letter
- employment letter
- entry visa (where applicable)
Dominica: View of the capital Roseau from the mountain. Photo Credit: © Dbvirago/Adobe Stock.
Montserrat Remote Workers Programme
Launched: February 2021
Application Fee: US$500 for a single person, US$750 for a family of up to 3 dependents, and US$250 for each additional family member.
Decision: within seven business days of receiving a complete application.
Visa Length: The Montserrat Remote Work Stamp is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Applications for annual renewals will be considered.
Requirements:
- job or business registered in a foreign country
- an annual income of US$70,000
- health insurance with valid Montserrat and COVID-19 coverage
- clean criminal record
Persons wishing to work remotely on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat will need to complete the online application for the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp and submit the following documents
- proof of employment or business incorporation certificate
- proof of annual income
- proof of relationship for anyone under 18 years old
- copy of passport biographical data for each applicant
- passport size photograph for each applicant
- police record for each applicant
- proof of valid health insurance
Gary Morton working remotely on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat. Photo Credit: © Montserrat Remote Work Stamp.
Interestingly, of the nine Caribbean digital nomad visa programs, Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica are the only two with a Citizenship By Investment Program. So it will be interesting to see how things develop with the Antigua Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Visa and Dominica Work In Nature (WIN) Visa. With more people recognizing the value of a second passport, I wouldn’t be surprised if some remote workers went on to invest and secure an Antigua & Barbuda or Dominica passport.
Either way, with the economic benefits, more remote worker programs will no doubt get launched in the Caribbean. Most countries within the region have successfully contained COVID-19, and the warm weather, decent WIFI, and reasonable cost of living will make the region attractive to remote workers. At first glance, the offerings are currently quite similar, so each will have to invest more in marketing to differentiate and highlight their unique selling proposition (USP). Right now, beyond the application fee and the visa length, it is not exactly clear how the programs are different. Or better yet, the experience that remote workers will have once they arrive. This is all needed for the programs to be truly sustainable.
Finally, it should be noted that others are actively promoting their regular visa to remote workers beyond the above digital nomad Caribbean programs. One example is Aruba, with their One Happy Workation program targeted at Americans, with many hotels, villas, and condos offering special deals and discounted rates. No special remote work visa or paperwork is required, but American visitors can live and work in Aruba for up to 90 days.
