9 Caribbean digital nomad visa programs for remote workers
The COVID-19 pandemic will forever alter how many of us view work in terms of physical space. According to a recent FlexJobs study, 65 percent of respondents wish to work full-time from home after the epidemic. In fact, many employees and job searchers believe that having a choice of work environment and location is a vital component since it allows them to achieve a better work-life balance.
Because of the slower pace of life, proximity to sun, sand, and water, and, of course, the food, the Caribbean has long been seen as a desirable place to retire or spend the winter. While these are all excellent reasons, the Caribbean is also an excellent choice for people seeking a healthier work-life balance due to low living costs, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, healthcare, and other factors.
List of Caribbean digital nomad visa programs
Most Caribbean destinations have long allowed most visitors (Americans, Canadians, and Europeans) to stay without a visa for 30 to 90 days. Some countries, such as Jamaica, allow visitors to extend their stay while on the island. This, however, has not been widely promoted to tourists who normally visit for 7 to 14 days before returning to their own country. Travel has been hampered as a result of the pandemic, and places are scrambling to improve the Caribbean tourism product, tempt guests, and make up for lost revenue. Digital nomad programs, which target remote workers from significant source markets like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, are one notion that has taken off.
Barbados was the first to announce their Barbados Welcome Stamp, which will be available in July 2020. Around 2,000 people have applied for the Barbados digital nomad visa programme, with 1,200 of them from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. At US$2,000 per applicant, the government of Barbados will earn US$4 million. When you consider housing, utilities, transportation, food, and other expenses for the 2,000 applicants who are now digital nomads living in Barbados for a year with the option to extend, this is a much more sustainable and profitable revenue stream than regular tourists, who spend less on vacation than the digital nomad application fee.
Digital Nomad Program Caribbean
As a result, it should come as no surprise that there are currently nine Caribbean destinations where you can work remotely for at least a year. In the next months, more digital nomad visa options are likely to be launched.
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, and Montserrat are among the nine Caribbean countries with digital nomad programs aimed at attracting remote employees who can stay for at least a year. All of the Caribbean’s digital nomad visa programs allow you to apply online and receive a response within 14 business days of submitting all required documentation.
1) Work from Anguilla
The program went live in August of 2020. Individuals must pay US$2,000 and families must pay US$3,000 (primary applicant plus three dependents) and US$250 for each additional family member. Within 14 business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. Visas are valid for 91 days to 12 months. The Work From Anguilla certificate is good for one year. Requirements: Those interested in working remotely in Anguilla must fill out a single Work From Anguilla application and provide the required documents:
- Evidence of employment or a certificate of incorporation
- Evidence of visas (where applicable)
- For all applicants 18 years and older, a police record with a validity of no more than six (6) months is required.
- Proof of Dependent Relationship
- A copy of one's own, partner's, and dependents' birth certificates
- A photocopy of the passport photo page
2) Antigua and Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence (NDR)
Visas were made available in September 2020. Individuals must pay US$1,500, couples must pay US$2,000, and families of three or more must pay US$3,000. Within 14 business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. The duration of the visa is 24 months. The Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Visa is valid for two years from the date of entry in Antigua and Barbuda. Requirements:
- Have a job that pays at least $50,000 a year and/or the financial resources to support yourself, your spouse/partner, and any dependents.
- No criminal history
- A current health insurance policy
People who want to work remotely in Antigua and Barbuda must fill out the Antigua Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Visa application online and provide the required documents:
- Each applicant and any dependents must submit a full-color passport photo (s).
- Scan of the passport photo page in full color.
- A full-color copy of the passport bio-page for the spouse and dependent(s). Passports must be valid for a period of at least two (2) years.
- The applicant's, spouse's, and any dependents' birth certificates (s).
- A marriage certificate.
- Certificate of applicant and dependent(s) medical insurance coverage for the time of proposed stay in Antigua and Barbuda.
- Each candidate and dependents above the age of 16 must have a police clearance.
- A notarized letter of relationship (if not married) for the main applicant's partner or proof of guardianship of the dependent for whom the application is submitted.
- Employment proof, including self-employment 10) Proof of funds by the principal applicant only, certifying: o (a) Expected income of at least US$50,000 for each of the two years in Antigua and Barbuda; o (b) That he or she has the financial means to support himself or herself and any accompanying dependent(s) during the (2) two years of stay in Antigua and Barbuda
3) Barbados' Welcome Stamp
It was started in in July 2020. Individuals must pay US$2,000 (BDS$4,000) and families must pay US$3,000 (BDS$6,000). Within 48 hours of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. The duration of the visa is one year. The 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp is given out when you arrive in Barbados and is good for 12 months from that date. Requirements:
- Have a job that pays at least $50,000 a year and/or the financial resources to support yourself, your spouse/partner, and any dependents.
- Have a proper health insurance policy.
People who want to work or study remotely in Barbados must fill out the Barbados Welcome Stamp application online and provide the required documents:
- Two passport-size photos
- The passport's biodata page.
- For yourself, your spouse, and any dependents, a copy of your birth certificate.
- Proof of dependents' relationship.
- Visa d'entrée (where applicable).
4) BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay)
The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay program was introduced in October 2020.
Fees: Work professionals pay $1,025 and college students pay $525, which includes the application and permit fees. Within S business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay visa is valid for a period of up to 12 months from the date of issue. The Bahamas remote worker visa is renewed for a maximum of three years on a case-by-case basis. Requirements:
- sufficient financial resources to support oneself, one's spouse/partner, and dependents
- A legitimate medical insurance policy
- No felony convictions
Those interested in working remotely in The Bahamas must fill out the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay application online and provide the required documents:
- A current and valid passport
- Medical insurance proof for the main applicant and all dependents
- A letter from your current job or confirmation of self-employment and income for professionals
- Proof of enrolment at a recognized learning institution as well as sufficient finances to cover living and return travel expenses for college students.
5) Work From Bermuda Certificate
It was first released in August of 2020. US$263 (application fee) Within five business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. Visas are valid for 12 months and can be renewed on a case-by-case basis. The 12-month period begins on the date the Work From Bermuda Certificate is issued and ends on the date the Work From Bermuda Certificate is revoked. Requirements:
- Be over the age of 18 and pay the application price
- Have not been convicted of a crime in Bermuda or anywhere else.
- Be covered by a valid health insurance policy
- In the instance of a remote worker, show proof of employment with a genuine company or your own company established and functioning outside of Bermuda.
- In the case of a student, submit proof of attendance in a research, undergraduate, graduate, or PhD programme.
- Have a significant amount of money and/or a steady source of annual income.
People who want to work or study remotely in Bermuda must fill out the Work From Bermuda Certificate application online and submit the required documents:
- Proof of employment or proof of enrollment in school.
- Scan of the passport photo page in color.
- A color scan of the visa information is required.
6) Global Citizen Concierge Program of the Cayman Islands
The Global Citizen Concierge Program of the Cayman Islands was started in October of 2020.
Fee: $1,469 per year for a two-person party plus $500 per year for each dependent Within 14 business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. The duration of the visa is 24 months. The Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Program visa is valid for two years from the date of entry in the Cayman Islands. The 2-year period must begin within 12 months of approval, and the visa will become invalid if the applicant loses their work.
- An employment with an annual salary of at least US$100,000 if applying as an individual, or US$150,000 if applying with an accompanying spouse/civil partner, or US$180,000 if applying with an accompanying spouse/civil partner and/or dependent (s).
- No criminal history.
- A current health insurance policy.
Those interested in working remotely in the Cayman Islands must apply online for the Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Program and submit the required documents:
- A job letter proving employment with a company based outside of the Cayman Islands.
- A notarized bank reference accompanied by six months' worth of bank statements.
- Identification documents, such as birth certificates for yourself, your partner, and any dependents.
- Proof of married or civil partnership status.
- A police clearance for yourself, your partner, and any dependents over the age of 18 is required.
- Each applicant must have a valid passport.
- A copy of your health insurance card.
7) @HOME in Curacao
It began in February of 2021.
The application fee is $294 USD. Within 14 business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made.
Visa Length: Curacao’s remote worker programme provides for a maximum stay of six months, with the option to extend for another six months. Requirements: Those interested in working remotely in Curacao must fill out the @HOME in Curacao application and provide the required documents:
- A receipt for the application fee.
- A clear copy of the passport photo page is required.
- International insurance proof, preferably with COVID-19 coverage.
- Proof of solvency, such as a recent declaration of assignment or a statement from the applicant's employer in their country of origin, or a recently certified copy of an employment contract, if the applicant runs a company in their country of origin.
8) Dominica Work In Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa
The Dominica Work In Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa program began in March of 2021.
Each applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee of $100. After that, successful applicants must pay a Work In Nature (WIN) fee. This costs US$800 for single applicants and US$1,200 for families. A price of US$800 plus US$500 for each additional employee for a business with multiple applicants is charged for a business with four or more employees. Within 7 business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. After that, applicants have 30 days to pay for the Work In Nature extended-stay visa.
Work In Nature (WIN) extended-stay visas are provided upon arrival in Dominica and are valid for 18 months.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Have a job that pays at least $50,000 a year and/or the financial resources to support yourself, your spouse/partner, and any dependents.
- An excellent reputation with no criminal history.
- You must have valid health insurance.
9) Remote Workers Program in Montserrat
It debuted in February 2021. Fees: US$500 for a single applicant, US$750 for a family with up to three dependents, and US$250 for each additional family member.
Within 7 business days of receiving a complete application, a decision will be made. The Montserrat Remote Work Stamp is valid for a period of 12 months after it is issued. Annual renewal applications will be considered. Requirements:
- An employment or a business that is registered in another country.
- A yearly salary of $70,000.
- Montserrat-based health insurance with COVID-19 coverage.
- No criminal history.
Those intending to work remotely on Montserrat’s Caribbean Island must complete an online application for the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp and provide the necessary documents:
- Proof of employment or a certificate of incorporation.
- Evidence of annual income
- For anyone under the age of 18, evidence of relationship is required.
- A copy of each applicant's biographical information from their passport.
- Each applicant must submit a passport-size photograph.
- Each applicant's police record
- Evidence of current health insurance.
Contact Form
Subscribe to our newsletter
Receive the latest residency and citizenship news in your inbox and learn how to best stack complimentary passports – we will never spam.
