Opportunities for remote workers with visa programs, work visa

The prospect of working from anywhere is a major development that happened after the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. The new breed of digital nomads created by this new working culture has made world countries boost tourism/migration packages that offer long-term visas for such people seeking the flexibility of work.

Welcome to the world of remote work visa options. The migration programs that lead to these visas offer mutual benefits. The distinct advantage of these programs that help develop economies of world countries has a lot to do with being a magnet for driving in tourist money.

Travelers get the opportunity to live at a location long enough to get acquainted and absorbed into the local culture. They will go on to become part of the community, while they maintain their job as it would be based anywhere else.

When it comes to a remote work visa, it’s important to choose the location you choose to go to. Once you decide on that location, you can file an application easily online. The general requirement of documents includes producing proof of a valid passport, proof of income, health insurance, and any other necessary document.

Here, we present some of the best remote work visa programs that are available right now for you to go for.

Barbados

The Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa was launched in July 2020. It invited remote workers from different world countries around the world to pitch their tents in the island paradise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s easy to apply for this visa. The application is available online to be filled. It takes only 5 business days to get a decision on your application.

Barbados can boast of having one of the most well-maintained networks of roads in the English-speaking Caribbean. The country also has excellent Wi-Fi availability across the island.

The country welcomes families too. Non-nationals can get their children to attend state-owned public schools by paying a small stipend. Workers have no need to pay income tax in Barbados during their stay in the country.

Length of stay: 12 months. The visa is issued on your arrival in Barbados. You are free to arrive and leave during that period.

Fee: $2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for families

Requirement of salary: $50,000

Method of application: Online

Locations to stay:

• Waves Hotel & Spa - monthly rentals, all-inclusive stay, excellent Wi-Fi connection, fitness classes held daily, and spa treatments that are complimentary. The monthly room rent is $8,000, on the basis of double occupancy, which includes a 35% discount.
• Hammerton Barbados - specialized villa rental services

Bermuda

Like Barbados, Bermuda launched its own “Work from Bermuda Certificate” in August 2020. It’s very similar to what Barbados has. The application is made easily online. The result of the application will be revealed within 5 working days.

If family members are involved, each of them needs to file an application separately. You can’t lease a car in Bermuda. However, you may buy a vehicle (one household, one car) if you pass a driver's examination conducted by the Transport Control Department.

Students and remote workers have no need to pay income tax in Bermuda. You can renew the residential remote work certificate, which has a 1-year validity, on a case-by-case basis.

Length of stay: 12 months from the date of issue of the certificate via email

Fee: $263 for each person

Requirement of salary: No figures stipulated

Method of application: Online

Locations to stay:

You can stay in Bermuda in a list of recommended co-working spaces and vacation rentals. These include oceanfront Airbnbs and cottages in the town’s center.

Dominica

Do you love to access a more secluded island? How would you like to know if such a place is available with reliable high-speed internet?

Check out Dominica. It has a lush landscape with features such as waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches, and hot springs.

The Work in Nature visa program for an extended stay

This is a visa program in Dominica which was launched in March 2021. If you want to apply, you will have to upload a copy of your past police record going back 5 years. A response to your application will arrive in 7 days.

Once your application gets approved, you will have 90 days to step foot in Dominica. Language shouldn’t be a challenge for most as English is the predominant language on the island. Nevertheless, most locals speak French Creole.

In Dominica, remote workers needn’t pay income tax.

COVID-19 stipulations

• Even if you have a negative PCR test result received under the past 72 hours, new arrivals from countries like the US must spend up to 7 days in quarantine.
• The quarantine will be arranged at a Safe in Nature certified property.
• On the fifth day, a PCR test will be conducted again. A negative result will lead to clearance medically. Then you can move around freely.
• It should be kept in mind that the protocols often change as is the case with the new rules that the government is considering currently for vaccinated individuals.

Length of stay: 18 months. The visa is issued on your arrival in Dominica.

Fee:

• Non-refundable application fee - $100,
• Visa fee for single applicants - $800
• Visa fee for families - $1,200

Requirement of salary: $50,000

Method of application: Online

Locations to stay:

• Secret Bay has a “Linger Longer” remote work package that it offers. It gives a 50% reduction on the rates to stay for 35 nights or more. Also, offered are discounted experiences as well as a 4-course welcome dinner. Rates start at $503 per night (double occupancy and taxes included).

Other Caribbean countries offering visas

Similar visa programs have been launched by many other Caribbean countries including:

• Antigua & Barbuda
• Anguilla
• Cayman Islands
• Aruba

Dubai

Dubai launched a virtual work program in October 2020, that accepts visa applicants from all parts of the world. Applicants who are accepted will have access to phone lines, banking facilities, and resident ID cards.

They can also rent or buy a car, rent accommodation, and enroll children in school. They can enter Dubai on a tourist visa as well before giving their commitment to the full-year program.

Also, they can hold multiple entry visas while going through the tenure of the program. However, if they stay away from Dubai for over 6 months in a row, their visa will be canceled. No income tax is imposed by the UAE.

Length of stay: 12 months

Fee: $611 inclusive of processing costs, application fees, Emirates ID, and medical ID

Requirement of salary: $60,000

Method of application: Online

Locations to stay:

• A service named Blueground rents apartments that are stylishly furnished for at least a month. Rentals could be available for a year or more too.

Estonia

Estonia is a developing international tech hub. They offer an e-residency program for foreign online entrepreneurs. This program offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers and freelancers. The visa allows foreign nationals to work in Estonia for no more than a year. They must either have their own business that's registered abroad or must be working in a remote position for a foreign employer.

In case a visa holder is staying in Estonia for over 183 days in a continuous period of 12 months, they will have to pay taxes in Estonia.

The high quality of life and low cost of living are the reasons remote workers give to apply.

Length of stay: 12 months

Fee: €100

Requirement of salary: €42,048 (approximately $51,000)

Method of application:

• Fill an online form
• Take an appointment at your nearest Consulate or Estonian embassy
• Produce copies of supporting documents

Locations to stay:

• Hotel Kentmanni for €550 a month (under $700 USD). complimentary access to their spa is available
• Citybox Tallinn for €290 a month (about $350 USD)

Georgia

Georgia is a former Soviet country. It has a dynamic food and wine culture. Its mountainous landscapes are comparable and even gives Switzerland a competition.

In August 2020, Georgia launched its Remotely Work from Georgia program. It welcomes visitors from 95 countries staying long-term in the country. It’s technically more of an entry permit rather than a visa. With the permit in hand, you can live in the country for not more than 360 days without a visa.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens of the 95 countries, the nationals of which are allowed, already had permission to stay in Georgia as tourists for not more than 360 days a year.

Any foreign visitor who can produce proof of having received 2 full doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, foreign visitors can freely enter Georgia. Others who are residents or nationals of the US have no need for self-isolation. They must however give a negative result for a PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before arrival in Georgia. They must also undergo a second PCR test. They will have to bear the expense for this on the third day of arrival.

There’s a difference between Georgia’s visa program and that of some of the Caribbean visa programs. In Georgia, remote workers are required to pay income tax as long as they are living in Georgia.

However, digital nomads earning not more than $150,000 yearly can register as individual entrepreneurs. They need to pay only 1% as tax. If you make more than $150,000, the tax rate jumps to 3%.

English speakers could find the Georgian language difficult to learn. Nevertheless, many expats live along with natives of Georgia speaking English or Russian.

Length of stay: 360 days

Fee: No fee

Requirement of salary: $24,000

Method of application:

• Apply online.
• You will have to specify whether you are an entrepreneur, a full-time employee, or a freelancer.
• You will also have to give personal information such as your marital status

Locations to stay:

• Airbnb is a major provider of stay in Tbilisi. Rents for studio apartments start at around $300 per month.

Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountainous overseas territory of Britain in the Caribbean. In January 2021, it launched its Remote Worker Program.

Montserrat has had no active cases of COVID-19. Every new traveler arriving on the island has to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Length of stay: 12 months. Visa will be issued on arrival.

Fee:

• $500 for an individual
• $750 for a family (not more than 3 dependents)
• $250 for each additional family member

Requirement of salary: $70,000

Method of application:  

• Apply online.
• Submit a copy of your passport and a copy of your birth certificate.
• A decision on the application will be made within 7 business days.

Locations to stay:

• Airbnbs on the island
• Expats can invest in real estate with Tradewinds Real Estate

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