Digital nomads and newly remote workers, rejoice! There’s a new opportunity to work from the shores of a tropical paradise. But how?
Introduced on June 30, 2020, the Welcome Stamp is a special visa created by Barbados to address the devastating impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on international travel and global tourism – which accounts for a third of the country’s gross domestic product.
You may be granted a temporary 12-month stay to wait out the crisis in a tropical paradise if you meet the following criteria.
Can you provide a valid U.S. passport, a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of location-independent employment, health insurance, and an annual income of at least $50,000? Then you’re ready to submit an application to relocate to not just Barbados, but other countries including Bermuda and Estonia, who’ve rolled out similar visa programs.
Although many countries have closed their borders to foreigners out of an abundance of caution, countries whose economies largely revolve around tourism are hoping the visas will boost other industries through accommodations, transportation, and entertainment.
We don’t have to sell you on the island’s tranquil scenery, pleasant native population, superb healthcare, and deep culture, so what are you waiting for? Start packing.