A mountainous island in the Caribbean, Montserrat is no stranger to tourism. But in the wake of the pandemic, it joins its neighboring nations of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, and Anguilla, in welcoming a new kind of visitor with a long-term visa to suit. 

Remote workers may find themselves relaxing in the sun on one of the must-visit destinations for lovers of the island lifestyle. However, similar to these other digital nomad visas, there are criteria that nomads must meet for a successful application. From the minimum income requirements to the application process itself—find out everything you need to know about the Montserrat digital nomad visa in our guide to remote working in the country. 

What is the Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?

The Montserrat digital nomad visa, known as “The Stamp”, is a form of long-term visa designed with remote workers in mind. The visa was introduced in January 2021 in response to the global pandemic. This allowed Montserrat, alongside a long list of other countries to recoup income lost from the worldwide drop in tourism.  

Successful applicants are granted permission to live and work in the island nation of Montserrat for a maximum initial period of one year. The nomad visa can be applied for as either an individual or as a family with dependents (proof of relationship is required). 

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

The majority of visitors to Montserrat can spend up to six months on the island, but this period is doubled when a successful digital nomad visa application is made, which means you could spend up to one year on the island

Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

Unfortunately, the Montserrat digital nomad is not available for all global remote workers to claim and the following short list of requirements must be met for a successful application: 

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid at the time of application.
• Proof of Remote Work: All applicants must provide proof of remote work as either a freelancer, foreign employee, or foreign business owner. 
• $70,000 Minimum Annual Income: Applicants must be able to provide proof that their income is at least $70,000 per year. This can be completed by providing bank statements. 
• Health Insurance: Applicants must show proof of health insurance with coverage in Montserrat. 
• Clean Criminal Record: All applicants must provide a certified criminal record check when applying for the nomad visa. 

How to Apply 

Applying for the Montserrat digital nomad visa is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed entirely online. The below step-by-step guide is designed to walk digital nomads through the application process. 

Step 1: Collect all Necessary Documents 

For the Montserrat digital nomad visa, the following documents are required:

• Copy of passport
• Passport-sized photo 
• Copy of birth certificate 
• Proof of remote work (freelancer, foreign employee, or foreign business owner)
• Evidence of minimum income requirement (bank statement, payslip, etc.)
• Proof of health insurance
• A certified criminal record check 
• Proof of relationship (for dependents) 

All documents must be both digitized and translated into English, ready for submission with the application. When applying as a family, passports and birth certificates of all family members must be provided. 

Step 2: Complete Visa Application

Once all of the necessary documents have been collected, translated, and digitized, applicants are able to begin the application process. The application form can be found and completed online by choosing the “Start Application” option. The process is a seven-step application in which applicants must enter their travel details, employment details, and an applicant bio. 

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

Following the submission of the application, a non-refundable application fee payment must be made. For an individual applying for the visa, an application of fee of $500 USD must be paid. A family visa (one main applicant and three dependents) will incur a fee of $750 USD with any additional dependents charged at $250 USD per person.

Step 4: Await Visa Approval

Following the payment of the visa application fee, the verdict of the nomad visa will be emailed to applicants within seven days. The approval letter must be displayed on arrival to the country with the visa period starting on the day of entry. 

Why Choose Montserrat for your Next Remote Working Trip?

Famed for its Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat is a jaw-dropping destination that is perfect for laidback digital nomads. Due to the eruption of the volcano in the 1990s, the south of the island is mostly uninhabited due to an exclusion zone created following the natural disaster. The bulk of the infrastructure, therefore, can be found in the North of the island and is where the majority of tourists and remote workers choose to spend the majority of their time.

Remote Work Culture in Montserrat

Montserrat differs from a traditional digital nomad hub in the sense that the general population on the island is very low. With an estimated population of 5,000, the island is more about relaxing than start-up culture.

But remote work is very much possible on the island and with an average internet speed of 20 Mbps, a reliable connection can be sourced for online professionals. Nomads can pitch up in a cafe, bar, or restaurant, but it may prove a problem if a coworking space or nomad community is high on the wishlist. 

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Montserrat 

Ultimately, there is minimal data surrounding the cost of living in Montserrat, although several reports are indicating that the island is one of the least expensive to live on in the Caribbean. It is, however, clear that the immigration officials on the island aim to boost the local economy with the introduction of the digital nomad visa. The minimum $70,000 USD per year income requirement is reflective of the target demographic of the long-term visa. 

Healthcare in Montserrat

Primary healthcare in Montserrat is effective, as the island nation is dependent on the UK, and the healthcare systems are similar. Secondary healthcare is a little more difficult on the island, but as an overall service, healthcare is rated as good in Montserrat. 

All successful applicants of the Montserrat digital nomad visa must provide evidence of both health and Covid-19 insurance in the country. When purchasing insurance, we recommend a nomad-specific service that caters to the nuances of remote work in foreign countries. 

Conclusion 

The Montserrat digital nomad visa is a solution for globetrotting remote workers looking to spend up to one year on the Caribbean island. The volcanic island offers black sand beaches, impressive mountains, and a unique laidback lifestyle. A minimum annual income of $70,000 USD, a minimum $500 application fee, proof of health insurance, and a clean criminal record are all required from successful applicants.  Long-staying digital nomads will love Montserrat and, once their initial year is up, are able to hop around the Caribbean to the equally exciting neighboring islands.