Launched in October 2020, the Bahamas digital nomad visa was one of the very first long-term visas available with global remote workers in mind. Known as the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS), the program opens the borders to digital nomads looking to spend up to one year in the Bahamas. Both students and remote workers can apply for the program.

With no fixed residence requirement, successful applicants are encouraged to travel between the Bahamas, enjoying everything the country’s many islands have to offer. From the application processing fees to the short list of eligibility criteria—find out everything you need to know about The Bahamas digital nomad visa.

What is The Bahamas Digital Nomad Visa?

Known officially as the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS), the Bahamas digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live and work from the Caribbean country for up to one year. This form of visa has proved increasingly popular in the wake of the global pandemic and caters to the new “work from home” attitude at its most extreme—if you can work from home, why not make “home” a far-flung and exciting destination?

Caribbean countries, including Curaçao, Anguilla, and Antigua & Barbuda, have all launched a remote working visa, each of which offers similar qualifying criteria. Our global digital nomad guide showcases the complete list of all countries currently offering a digital nomad visa.

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

One of the biggest differences between the Bahamas digital nomad visa and the traditional tourist visa lies in how long it lets you stay. For the majority of foreign nationals, a maximum of 90 days can be spent in the Bahamas. With the digital nomad visa, remote workers are able to live and work in the Bahamas for a maximum of one year—quadruple that of a traditional tourist stay. 

Despite the permitted long-term stay, remote workers are not required to pay additional income or capital gain taxes in the country. Applicants are able to travel to the Bahamas with their families, although additional visa fees will be charged per person. 

The Bahamas Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

Unfortunately, the digital nomad program in the Bahamas is not open to all. To successfully qualify for the digital nomad visa, the following list of requirements must be met: 

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for at least six months on application.
• Remote Worker: All applicants must provide proof of remote work as either a freelancer, foreign business owner, or remote employee at a foreign company.
• Financially Self-Sufficient: Although there are no published income guidelines, applicants must provide proof that they are financially self-sufficient. 
• Health Insurance: Applicants must show proof of health insurance with coverage in The Bahamas. 
• Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must pass a criminal record check with a clean criminal record required by immigration.

How to Apply 

Applying for the Bahamas digital nomad visa is a quick and easy process that can be done entirely online. The below details can be used as a step-by-step guide for a successful application.

Step 1: Collect All Necessary Documents

The first step to completing any digital nomad visa application is to first collect all of the necessary documents required for visa submission. When applying for the Bahamas digital nomad visa, the following documents must first be collected. 

• Valid passport (Minimum six-months validity) 
• Entry visa (If required from home country)
• Proof of remote work (freelancer, foreign business owner, or foreign employee)
• Evidence of income
• Student ID (for those applying to study)
• Proof of health insurance (medical insurance card) 
• A certified criminal record check

All documents must be digitized and, where appropriate, translated into English, ready for submission in the application.

Step 2: Complete the Visa Application

Once all of the necessary documents have been collected, remote workers are then able to begin the application process. The entire digital nomad visa application can be completed online by accessing the BEATS website and choosing the “Get Started” option. Applicants should simply follow the onscreen instructions to both begin and to complete their nomad visa application. 

Step 3: Await Visa Approval 

After completing the application process, remote workers are simply required to await the verdict of the visa application. The processing time for the Bahamas digital nomad visa is quick and applicants should expect a verdict via email within just five days of submission. 

Step 4: Make Visa Fee Payment

Once approved, applicants are required to make payment of the visa fee. The fee amount is dependent on a range of factors including the type of visa (study or work), and the number of dependents in the application. A study visa will incur a visa fee of $500 USD per applicant. A remote work permit is priced at $1,000 USD for the head of the family with an additional charge of $500 USD for each dependent. A further $25 USD will also be collected as a permit application fee once approved.

Step 5: Receive an Electronic QR Permit

Following a successful payment, applicants will then receive a confirmation QR code that must be shown upon arrival to The Bahamas. This permit allows remote workers to travel around the country.

Why Choose The Bahamas for Your Next Remote Working Trip?

The Bahamas has long been one of the bucket-list destinations for beach-lovers. Now, with the launch of the digital nomad visa, digital nomads can spend up to one full year exploring all islands that make up the Caribbean paradise. From Nassau to Paradise Island, each place tells a different story with unique traditions, captivating tales, and interesting people to meet along the way. 

Remote Work Culture in The Bahamas

The Bahamas offers one of the most developed infrastructures in the Caribbean for remote workers searching for reliable services. Internet quality is among the biggest concerns of global nomads, but there’s nothing for nomads to worry about when spending time in the Bahamas. An average fixed broadband download speed of more than 45 Mbps and upload speed of more than 10 Mbps offers sufficient coverage in the remote island setting. 

Alongside a wide range of coffee shops and cafes, The Bahamas also boasts a range of high-quality coworking spaces like Incudesk, located on the island of Nassau which proves the most popular among global nomads.

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in The Bahamas 

The cost of living in The Bahamas is one of the more expensive destinations that can be chosen as a remote working hub. It is estimated that the cost of living in the country is more than 26.5% higher than in the United States with rental properties averaging 17.1% lower than equivalent properties in the U.S. Ultimately, an individual nomad should expect to pay approximately $1,265 USD per month (without rent) whereas a family of four should expect to pay approximately $4,485 USD per month (without rent).

The quality of life in The Bahamas is rated as moderate, although with a limited data sample, this may rank lower than its true value. It is estimated that the country performs well in terms of climate index, traffic commute time, and property price-to-income ratio. The country is estimated to perform poorly with a high cost of living and low purchasing power. 

Healthcare in The Bahamas

In recent years, the healthcare services in The Bahamas have improved dramatically thanks to new hospitals and healthcare facilities opening in both Nassau and Grand Bahama. A national health service was established in 2017, offering voluntary enrollment for residents. It is vital that all remote workers applying for the BEATS program invest in quality health insurance with coverage in The Bahamas. We would always recommend digital nomad-specific travel insurance that offers coverage for the nuances of a remote working lifestyle. 

Conclusion 

As one of the most popular countries in the Caribbean, it’s no surprise that The Bahamas was quick to jump at the chance to offer a digital nomad visa to global remote workers. Digital nomads are able to spend up to one year in the Bahamas thanks to the BEATS program. However, a small list of requirements must be met by prospective nomads for a successful application (clean criminal record, remote workers, financially self-sufficient, etc.). 

With a quick, easy, and entirely online application process, it can take as little as five days to receive the Bahamas remote working visa. However, at the cost of $1,000 USD for remote workers ($500 USD for students), and a further $500 USD for additional dependents, the upfront cost is high (compared to other nomad visas) for the year in paradise.