Known as the Barbados Welcome Stamp, the Barbados digital nomad visa allows remote workers and digital nomads to live and work in the country for up to 12 months. Primarily a top vacation destination, Barbados is famous for its white sand beaches, towering palm trees, and crystal clear water—but there’s more to the island country than lounging with a cocktail in one hand and a good book in the other. 

Located in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, the Caribbean destination reacted to the pandemic similar to other tourist hotspots—by opening its doors to remote workers. The Barbados Welcome Stamps encourages a new kind of tourist to the island—one with a laptop and a long stay in mind.

Find out everything you need to know from the personal requirements to the application process in our guide to the Barbados digital nomad visa.

What is the Barbados Digital Nomad Visa?

The Barbados digital nomad visa, known as the Barbados Welcome Stamp, is an initiative that launched in June 2020, allowing remote workers to live and work on the island. This digital nomad visa was launched in the wake of the pandemic, allowing Barbados to retain a portion of its hard-hit tourism industry. 

Why is the Barbados Digital Nomad Visa Better Than a Tourist Visa?

The Barbados digital nomad visa is better than a traditional tourist visa thanks to the long list of benefits that come with the documentation. One of the benefits most popular with digital nomads lies in the income tax, or rather the lack of it. Digital nomads that hold the Barbados digital nomad visa are not required to pay any local income tax to Barbados, creating a tempting tax benefit for global remote workers.

Another benefit of the Barbados remote working visa lies in the length of time that a visitor can stay in the country. All visa holders are permitted to spend up to 12 months in the country with the documentation, double the typical six months that tourists will be subject to. 

Barbados Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

The criteria that digital nomads must satisfy to qualify for the remote working visa are relatively straightforward with the following necessary requirements: 

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for the entire visa duration.
• Proof of Remote Work: The applicant must be able to provide evidence of remote work. 
• $50,000 Minimum Annual Income: Applicants must be able to prove a minimum income of $50,000 to qualify for the digital nomad visa. 
• $2,000 Visa Application Fee: An application fee of $2,000 is required for individual applicants. This figure increases to $3,000 for families applying for the Barbados Welcome Stamp. 
• Family Status Proof: Applicants that wish to travel with their family must be able to provide documentation to prove a family connection.
• Health Insurance: Applicants must show proof of health insurance with coverage in Barbados. 

It is important that all digital nomads applying for the visa satisfy the criteria to avoid delays in the application process. 

How to Apply 

The application process for the Barbados digital nomad visa is one of the smoothest available globally. 

The entire process can be completed online without digital nomads or remote workers required to head out for meetings with embassies or consulates. Instead, the Barbados Welcome Stamp can be accessed in full online. 

Step 1: Collect All Required Documents

The first step for digital nomads applying for the digital nomad visa is to gather all of the required documents for the application process. 

Each applicant must gather the following documents to make the submission process as quick and efficient as possible.

• Biometric Data Page from Passport
• Birth Certificate 
• Passport-sized Photo
• Proof of Family Status for Spouse/Dependents (if applicable)
• Proof of Income (Minimum $50,000)
• Remote Work Proof (Contract etc.)
• Proof of Health Insurance for the visa length

All required documents must be attached to the online application form as digital copies for successful visa submission. 

Step 2: Submit a Visa Application Form

The second step in the visa application is to fill out and submit the online application form for the Barbados digital nomad visa. The entire visa application process can be completed online by filling out the Welcome Stamp form. By gathering all required documents before beginning the application, applicants are able to save time with the form taking just 15 minutes to complete.

Applicants interested in renewing their digital nomad visa following the 12-month period are able to do with the same form and a mirrored process. 

Step 3: Await the Digital Nomad Visa Response 

All Barbados Welcome Stamp applications are typically processed within seven days, making the waiting period one of the shortest of any digital nomad visa. 

Step 4: Pay the Required Visa Fee

Once the digital nomad visa has been approved, the final step for applicants is to make payment of the visa fee. The application fee is one of the larger visa fees that we’ve found with a $2,000 charge for individual applicants and a $3,000 for family applicants. Thankfully, this payment is made after the approval of the digital nomad visa, preventing any risk associated with making the visa payments. Payment must be made within 28 days of approval for the Barbados digital nomad visa.

Why Choose Barbados for your Next Remote Working Trip?

Barbados is a stunning country with white sand beaches and crystal clear water awaiting nomads after their work day. The island is not particularly large and, when using the main road networks, getting around the whole island takes little time. This gives remote workers the option of traveling to different areas to trial coworking. We would recommend hiring a car to make this as smooth as possible. 

One of the top selling points for North American digital nomads is the benefit of the timezone used in Barbados. Because it is in the Atlantic time zone, you can easily stick to American business hours while enjoying a tropical location.

Remote Work Culture in Barbados

Remote work culture is new to Barbados with the country introducing the digital nomad visa in wake of the global pandemic. 

Currently, the island is said to be the number one Caribbean destination for digital nomads with a strong infrastructure to support the work-from-home movement. There is a range of different coworking and office rental spaces available for digital nomads to choose from, the most popular of which is Regus. 

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Barbados

It’s no secret that the Caribbean island has a high cost of living, but there’s a luxurious lifestyle awaiting those well-off digital nomads. The cost of living in Barbados is approximately 22.9% higher than in the United States, something that is likely to come as little surprise to those familiar with the island. However, rent in Barbados is reportedly lower than the average rent in the U.S. by a total of 57.3%.

The quality of life in Barbados is good with low pollution, good healthcare, and good safety among some of the top indicators. The island does, however, fall short of the mark with a very low purchasing power index, a high cost of living index, and a high property price-to-index ratio. Ultimately, it all boils down to just how much income digital nomads make and how much they are willing to spend to live in Barbados. 

Healthcare in Barbados

The healthcare system in Barbados is rated as very good with top-quality service provided across the island. Every citizen is entitled to receive universal healthcare with plentiful facilities throughout the country. Residents suffering from chronic conditions are able to receive free prescriptions via the Barbados Drug Service. 

All digital nomads and remote workers visiting Barbados with the digital nomad visa should ensure that they have health insurance that covers the length of the trip. This is not only advised but a requirement to qualify for the documentation. 

READ MORE:

• Hotel or Airbnb: Which is Best for Digital Nomads?
• How to Avoid Hidden Travel Costs as a Digital Nomad
• 7 Tips for Negotiating a Remote Work Position

Conclusion 

Barbados is a tropical island country that lucky digital nomads are able to spend up to one year in with the new Barbados Welcome Stamp. Digital nomads and remote workers are able to touchdown and spend up to 12 months living and working in the country with the new official documentation. In the Atlantic time zone, the Welcome Stamp really works for time-orientated American remote workers to live in paradise, whilst working their typical hours, for a full year. 

The quality of life in Barbados is high, but this does come with a price. The cost of living in the country rated at 22.9% higher than in the United States, it’s hardly a surprise that only the highest earners are having their way to the island. 

Similarly, with a $2,000 visa application fee, increasing to $3,000 for family permits, the Barbados digital nomad visa is one of the most expensive. The target market of the island is clear and with the $50,000 minimum annual income, only top-end digital nomads are likely to apply for this visa.

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