Digital Nomad Visa in the Americas and the Caribbean

A logical consequence of the boom in remote work has been the introduction of all sorts of programs and visas for people who work in this format and want to do so from different parts of the world. There are already a decent number of Caribbean and American countries among them. What are these countries and under what conditions do they accept nomads — read in this material. 

We wrote in detail about the available programs for digital nomads in all countries of the world in our large material. 

In this article, we will focus on America and the Caribbean and tell you how things are there with special visas for nomads. 

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda has a program in Antigua and Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence Visa. 

Peculiarities: you can move with your family; there is no income tax to pay.

Visa validity: 2 years.
Requirements: 

• Age 18 and older.
• Working outside of Antigua and Barbuda with the possibility of remote employment. 
• Proven annual income of at least $50,000.
• No criminal record.
• Health insurance, including travel insurance.

You can apply online. 

After submitting the application and paying the fee, the application will be processed within 5–7 working days. The result will be communicated by e-mail. It may be necessary to apply for an additional entry visa.

Processing fee: for one applicant — $1500; applicant + spouse — $2000; applicant + up to 3 dependents (family) — $3000. There is an additional $650 fee for each additional person over 3. All fees are non-refundable. 

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €340–680, utilities: €280; monthly pass: €30; lunch in an inexpensive café: €8.5.

Bahamas

The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program allows you to work or study remotely in the Bahamas.

Visa validity period: 1 year.

Requirements:

• A valid passport.
• Health Insurance.
• For remote work, proof of employment is required.
• For distance learning, a student ID card.

The visa application is made online at the Bahamas Immigration website. 

Application processing time: about 5 working days.

Visa cost:

• If working remotely, $1000 for the primary applicant, $500 for each dependent.
• If studying remotely, $500 for each applicant.
• The application fee is $25.

Life in the country: rent of a one-room flat: €930–1000, utilities: €260, monthly pass: €40, lunch in an inexpensive café: €24.

Barbados

In Barbados, the Welcome Stamp program for nomads has been in place since 2020. 

Peculiarities: remote workers do not have to pay Barbados income tax, but are subject to 17.5% VAT on purchases.

Visa validity: 1 year, renewable.

Requirements: 

• Must prove an income of $50,000 or more per year.
• Photo, passport scan.
• Proof of family ties (for family visas).

You can apply for a visa online. The cost is $2000 ($3000 for a family).

Visa fee: for a single applicant, $2000; for a family, $3000. Payment is non-refundable and must be made within 28 days of approval. 

The application processing time is about 7 days.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom: €440-600, utilities: €110, monthly pass: €60, lunch in an inexpensive café: €20.

Belize

Belize offers nomads a “Work where your vacation" program. 

Peculiarities: a visa cannot be converted to a residence permit; you can move with family.

Visa validity period: up to 6 months. There is no provision for visa extensions.

Requirements:

• EU, UK, US, or Canadian citizenship.
• Remote work outside of Belize.
• Minimum annual income of $75,000 for a single applicant or $100,000 for a family/couple.
• Bank statement.
• Certificate of no criminal record (not older than 6 months).
• A valid passport.
• Travel insurance with a minimum of $50,000 coverage.

The visa application is submitted online to the Belize Immigration Department. The visa is issued immediately upon arrival. 

Visa cost: $500 for an adult, $200 for a child under 18.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €230-350, utilities: €80; monthly pass: €22; lunch in an inexpensive café: €6.

Bermuda

Bermuda has a Work From Bermuda Certificate program for remote workers and students. 

Validity period: 1 year, renewable. 

Peculiarities: family members wishing to apply must submit a separate application; pets are allowed if requirements are met; Bermuda income tax exemption, access to medical services.

Requirements: no criminal record, health insurance, work contract, or business registration outside of Bermuda, monthly income around $5000. 

You can apply online.

Review period: 5 working days.

Cost: $275 for the applicant.  

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €2170–3180, utilities: €230, monthly pass: €65, lunch in an inexpensive café: €37. 

Brazil

Brazil issues residence permits for digital nomads. Requests are processed within a month. 

Visa validity: 1 year, renewable for an equal period of time if requirements are met.
Requirements: 

• Prove remote employment status (this can be a contract with a company outside Brazil, business ownership documents, or a declaration of remote work capability).
• Earn a monthly income of $1500 or have $18,000 in a bank account. 
• Provide a ticket to Brazil, a certificate of no criminal record, and health insurance valid in Brazil. 

You can apply for a visa at a Brazilian consulate abroad or at the country's Ministry of Justice and Public Security, if the applicant is already there.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €220–330, utilities: €70, monthly pass: €40, lunch in an inexpensive café: €5.50.

Colombia

In Colombia, the Visa V Digital Nomads (Visa V Digital Nomads) became available on October 22, 2022. 

Special Peculiarities: this visa does not allow you to work or receive income from Colombian employers; it is possible to bring family members as beneficiaries. 

Visa validity: up to 2 years.

Requirements:

• A letter from the foreign employer describing the employment relationship and payment terms.
• For entrepreneurs, a motivational letter about the project.
• Proven income of at least three current minimum monthly wages for the past 3 months (approximately $876*).
• Health insurance with coverage in Colombia.

You can apply for a visa at the Colombian consulate.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom apartment: €270-330, utilities: €80; monthly pass: €34; lunch in an inexpensive café: €4.30.

* According to the official website of the Colombian Ministry of Labor, the minimum monthly wage (SMLMV) at the time of publication of this article was set at 1,160,000 Colombian pesos, equivalent to approximately 292 US dollars.

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the visa for nomads falls under the subcategory “Stay for Remote Workers and Service Providers” (Estancia para Trabajadores Remotos y Proveedores de Servicios). It is a residence permit for foreigners who remotely provide paid services to an organization or individual outside of Costa Rica.

Visa validity period: set individually when issuing the document. 

Requirements:

• The minimum monthly income from outside Costa Rica for a single applicant is $3,000; if family members are also applying, it is $4,000.
• Bank statements or income certificate from an auditor/notary public. 
• Documents for family members (marriage/birth certificates, etc.).

You can apply online through the Tramite Ya portal or in person at an immigration office.

The decision is made within 15 calendar days. After approval, it is necessary to issue an immigration document and health insurance within 3 months. 

Renewal of the document will require: proof of stay of at least 80 days in a year, as well as updated proof of income, payment of fees, health insurance, etc.

Visa cost:

• The state fee is $100 on the initial filing of the application. 
• Additional state duty in the amount specified in the approval decision, according to Art. 215 of the Migration Law.
• $90 for requesting legal residency documents and issuing a certificate, as well as Special Immigration Social Fund fees.

All documents issued in a foreign language must have an official Spanish translation. And applications for minor children must be submitted by a parent or guardian.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom apartment: €440-620, utilities: €80, monthly pass: €40, lunch in an inexpensive café: €9.

Curaçao

Curaçao has a HOME in Curaçao program for digital nomads. 

Peculiarities:

• You can't work for local employers.
• There are no strict requirements on the amount of income.
• There is no need to pay Curaçao income tax.

Visa validity: six months, with the possibility of extension for another 6 months. 

Requirements: 

• Prove remote work: contract with a foreign employer OR ownership/partnership documents in a foreign company, OR contracts with foreign clients (for freelancers).
• Health insurance.

You can apply for a visa online. 

The visa costs $294 ($500 for each additional person).

Application processing time: about 2 weeks.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom apartment: €450–580; utilities: €200; monthly pass: €50, lunch in an inexpensive café: €20.

* Dutch and US citizens can stay in Curaçao for up to 6 months as tourists.

Mexico

Mexico issues visas to nomads under the Temporary Resident Visa program based on sufficient financial means for residence; you cannot work in the country on this visa.

Visa validity period: not specified.

Requirements: 

• Average monthly balance of $102,671 Canadian dollars (about $80,000 USD) in the last 12 months OR
• Monthly income or pension in excess of $6,160 CAD in the last 6 months (excluding taxes). 

You can apply for a visa by making an appointment for an interview at the Mexican Embassy. After entering the country within 30 days, you will need to come to the immigration office, show all documents, go through an interview and receive a resident card. 

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom apartment: €450–650; utilities: €67, monthly pass: €25, lunch in an inexpensive café: €9.

Montserrat 

Montserrat offers the Montserrat Remote Worker Stamp premium visa. This is a 12-month residence permit for foreigners working remotely for a company or individuals registered outside Montserrat.

Peculiarities: holders of this visa, like residents of the country, can get a local ID, use banking services, rent housing, and put children in schools.

Visa validity: 1 year.

Requirements: 

• Proof of remote employment/business registration certificate, 
• Annual revenue in excess of $70,000. 
• Health insurance. 

You can apply for a visa online. 

A decision is rendered within 7–14 business days.

The processing fee is $500 (for a family of up to 3 people, $750; each additional person, +$250).

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €170-270; utilities: €100; lunch in an inexpensive café: €9.

Panama

Panama has a Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto, which is regulated by the Servicio Nacional de Migración. This visa is created for foreigners working remotely for a foreign company or as freelancers. 

Visa validity: 9 months; can be extended for the same period.

Requirements: 

• A work contract with a foreign company or proof of self-employment.  
• Proof of income of at least $36,000 per year from abroad.  
• Health insurance.

You can apply for a visa at the Panama Immigration Office.

Visa cost: 50 balboas (about 50 USD). 

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €500–750; utilities: €90, monthly pass: €23, lunch in an inexpensive café: €9.

Uruguay

In Uruguay, foreigners can obtain a temporary identity card (Hoja de identidad provisoria), within which there is a separate category for “digital nomads” (nómada digital).

Validity period: up to 180 days, renewable. 

Requirements:

• A copy of your ID card or travel document.
• A completed declaration in the prescribed form.
• For extension: certificate of no criminal record for the last 5 years from countries where you have lived for more than 6 months.

You can apply for a visa either online through the portal or in person.

Cost: 55.71 c.u.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom apartment: €440–580; utilities: €130; monthly pass: €45; lunch in an inexpensive café: €15.

Ecuador

A digital nomad visa in Ecuador gives you the opportunity to work remotely and immerse yourself in the culture of this country. 

Peculiarities: a visa can be converted to a residence permit; you cannot move with your family.

Requirements:

• Provide proof of remote work for a company or individual abroad.
• Have a monthly income from abroad of at least three Ecuadorian minimum wages (at the time of writing, one is approximately €450) or an annual income of 36 minimum wages.

Life in the country: rent of a one-bedroom flat: €250–330; utilities: €45; monthly pass: €20; lunch in an inexpensive café: €3.