Features
TYPE
LENGTH
FEE
MIN ANNUAL INCOME
LOCAL TAX
INTERNET
COST OF LIVING
RECOMMENDED Digital Nomad Visa
BARBADOS
Welcome Stamp
Fiber internet on an island & no income tax!
Barbados was one of the first countries to offer the remote visa program back in June 2020. The Welcome Stamp visa is designed for employees and self-employed digital nomads, that want to explore this beautiful Caribbean island and take advantage of 12 months with no personal income tax!
PROS
- You literally pay ZERO income tax locally, for a year, while on a stunning Caribbean island!
- Flexibility to arrive in Barbados even up to a year after approval.
- You can work remotely for a foreign employer outside of Barbados, no need to create a local entity or deduct any withholding tax / social!
- Pretty good fiber optic internet coverage, good healthcare, and climate!
CONS
- Visa fees are high, but they are payable after approval.
- Only 1-year visa but there is a possibility of extension.
- The cost of living is generally pretty high, but not higher than other Caribbean destinations.
Specification: BARBADOS
Welcome Stamp
Taxes
Local Taxes
Holders of The Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa are not required to pay any local taxes as they would be working remotely for a company based outside of Barbados. There is 0% local tax on your income or any capital gains.
The Remote Employment Act clearly states that neither the applicant nor the foreign company that he works for will be charged any taxes from the Barbados Government for the duration of the Welcome Stamp. Applicants are not allowed to work for nor to drive any income from local entities.
Import Taxes
Welcome Stampers can apply to customs in advance of having a one-off shipment of used household and personal items (excluding motor vehicles) imported into Barbados. Items in excess of 1-year old are granted exemptions from the payment of duties and taxes, while items less than 1-year old are treated as ‘new’ with duties and taxes applicable.
Home Country Taxes
The successful applicant and their dependents (if any) will be expected to pay Income Taxes in the countries in which they are normally resident. Tax documents that prove this, are not a requirement but can be submitted as a supporting document for proof of funds.
Other Benefits
Employers of remote workers are not required to register or have a payroll in Barbados. What that means is that it’s safer for the employer to let their employees work remotely from Barbados, which in turn makes it easier for aspiring digital nomads to negotiate remote work arrangements with their employers.
It’s worth remembering that nomad visas don’t erase all of the risks for employers (such as permanent establishment, the duty of care, etc). These can only be assessed by the employer’s legal/tax teams.
Requirements
Anyone who is not a national of Barbados and is employed in a country other than Barbados can apply for the Welcome Stamp Visa in order to work in Barbados for a period of 12 months. They need to submit the following:
- A passport-sized photograph – the correct size is: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head;
- A valid passport & copy of the biodata page for each applicant;
- Birth certificate for each applicant;
- Proof of relationship of dependents, if applying for the Family Bundle (birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption documents).
- Existing entry visa (where applicable);
- Proof of annual income of US$ 50 000 or more; and proof that the income will be generated outside Barbados;
- Proof of valid health insurance for the period for which the visa will be granted to all applicants;
- Filled out application form.
You can download a copy of the Government Brochure here The Remote Employment Act – NonTax Bill (pdf).
Apply
1
Gather All the Documents
2
Fill out Online Application
3
Receive Approval
4
Make Visa Fee Payment
5
Arrive within 12 months.
The applicant(s) will be informed via email of the successful application within 5 days of receiving the application. Fees are to be paid within 28 days of the approval. No return ticket is required.
Once approved you have 12 months from the date your visa is granted to arrive in Barbados. Visa is valid from the date of arrival & for 12 months thereafter.
Fees
For those who want to proceed with the application, a non-refundable NDR visa fee is payable with the application. Fees are:
- US$2,000.00 – single applicant;
- US$3,000.00 – family (2 or more).
How
All the details of the program, including How to Apply are available on the government website: Barbados Welcome Stamp
Facilities
Medical
Visa holders and their dependents will have access to the medical facilities but only the private ones or they will have to pay the fees in public clinics and hospitals that are applicable to any non-residents. Having medical insurance is required for all applicants, however, if securing insurance in the country of origin is proving difficult, Barbados is providing options for paid medical insurance options on the island.
Schools
Children of the visa holders can attend the local private school for the duration of the visa or public ones but in both cases, they will have to cover the fees.
Traveling
Visa holders will be able to travel into and out of the country as they wish for the whole duration of their visa. They don’t need to hold the accommodation within the country if they are not there, but they should have their lodging booked in advance of their arrival each time.
It’s also encouraged that Stamp holders email Barbados Immigration to inform them about any address changes.
Assistance
Tel: +246-535-3700
Email: btmiinfo@visitbarbados.org
Country Info
Internet
Barbados does have fiber optic and generally speaking, it works pretty well with median broadband Download Speeds of 56 Mbps. Moreover, 82% of the population has the access to the internet, which means that most places should have WiFi that is absolutely enough for different types of work, even if you work with big video files or do a lot of streaming.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Barbados might be slightly lower than other Caribbean islands but it’s still quite high & comparable to averages in North America.
According to our ☕ Cappuccino Index, which uses Numbeo’s average price for a regular cappuccino, the USD price in Barbados is $4.12 which is just below the US avg of $4.30 but above the UK avg price that is $3.83.
FAQs
What do you mean by medical insurance?
This could be either a Travel Insurance or Private Health Care Plan, either one is ok. Annually renewable Travel Insurance policies will be accepted. This is a mandatory requirement and must cover everyone included in the application.
What are the processing times?
The Visa application will begin processing within 48 hours of receiving a complete application. A visa will be processed and confirmed or denied in 5 working days or less.
Do I need to prove being resident/paying tax in home country?
No, you don’t. Confirmation of employment/self-employment is enough. Tax documents are not a requirement but can be submitted as a supporting document for proof of funds.
Does Visa lead to residency?
Visa does not lead to residency or citizenship. However, it’s possible to get the visa extension before it expires or you can apply for a work visa after which you can apply for citizenship.
Videos
Source: Visit BarbadosDisclaimer: Our aim is to provide an overview of Digital Nomad Visas & Taxes that should not be considered as a legal opinion or tax advice. You should always seek expert advice. If you want to receive a legal opinion or tax advice please contact us and we will refer you to a legal practitioner.
Learn about the data sources & how is the score calculated. Last updated November 20, 2022.
