The British Overseas Territory of Montserrat is slightly larger than Anguilla with its size of 102 Km2. However, its population is even smaller with a total of just under 6,000. It is located in the Caribbean north of the French island of Guadeloupe. To get to Montserrat by air you have to fly to Antigua first before taking the 20-minute FlyMontserrat flight. You can also take a 90-minute ferry between these two islands.
Like many other Caribbean islands, Montserrat has introduced a Digital Nomad Visa to entice people to stay and remote work for a longer period, it is called the Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp.
What Are the Requirements For the Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?
You need surprisingly little to apply for the Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp. You can apply online and it will take you less than 15 minutes. The official website is: https://apply.montserratremoteworker.com/
- Proof of location independence work.
- You work for an employer that is registered in a foreign country and you have a contract of work with that employer
- You offer freelance or consulting services mostly to clients, whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country, and with whom you have contracts
- You conduct the business activity for a company that is registered in a foreign country and of which you are a partner/shareholder
- A completed application form.
- Proof of Visas (where applicable) (See all visa requirements HERE)
- A passport-size photograph.
- Birth certificate.
- Copy of passport bio page.
- List of items to import free of customs duties and that are necessary for employment duties.
- Proof of relationship to dependents.
- Health insurance with coverage of Montserrat and including Covid-19 coverage.
What Are The Income Requirements For The Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?
The minimum annual income requirement for the Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp is USD 70,000.
What Are the Covid-19 regulations with Regards to Montserrat?
Monserrat has some travel protocols with regard to Covid-19. Non-vaccinated travellers are allowed but will have to quarantine for 14 days. Whereas fully vaccinated travellers only have to quarantine for 5 days. You can read the full requirements here: www.visitmontserrat.com/travel-advisory/
What Are the Fees for The Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?
The processing fees for the Montserrat Remote Worker Stamp are:
- US$500 for a single applicant
- US$750 for a family of 4 (3 dependents)
- US$250 for every additional family member.
The application fees are non-refundable.
How Long Will It Take to Get the Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?
Within 7 business days after filling out the application, you will find out if you are approved or denied. The process might take longer if you have not submitted all the required documentation.
How Long Can I Stay With The Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?
You can stay a maximum of 12 months on the Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp. It starts when you arrive in Montserrat. After this, you will need to re-apply if you want to stay another 12 months.
Are There Any Tax Benefits with the Montserrat Digital Nomad Visa?
You will not be liable to income tax or other taxes in Montserrat during your stay.
What is Life Like As A Digital Nomad In Montserrat?
Like the low pace life in Montserrat, there is also a slower pace when it comes to Internet speeds. You will get download/upload speeds of around 20 Mbps. Mobile data services are still on 3G. Internet services are provided by Digicel and Flow.
Montserrat is for digital nomads who want to be reclusive and do not mind being on an island that has a population of less than 6,000. You can enjoy the island's only white sand beach called Rendevouz beach. There are several other beaches with volcanic sands.
You can explore the buried capital city Plymouth which is covered by ash and mudflows from the volcanic eruption that took place in 1995 and 1996. Some rooftops and structures remain visible. The volcano is still active (not dangerously so) and you can see from the sea how the island is still growing.
Other popular activities are bird and turtle watching, hiking and various water sports.
Other Caribbean Islands with Digital Nomad Visas
Montserrat is not alone with a Digital Nomad visa. It all started with Barbados and a few other islands followed quickly with their Digital Nomad visas. Most Caribbean islands are heavily dependent on tourism and saw a new niche market appear of offering Digital Nomads extended long-term visas and the possibility to do work remotely.
These are the other Caribbean destinations offering remote work visas:
- Curaçao – @Home in Curaçao
- Barbados – The Barbados Welcome Stamp.
- Dominica – Work in Nature
- Antigua & Barbuda – Antigua Nomad Digital Residence
- Anguilla – Work From Anguilla
- Cayman Islands – Global Citizen Concierge Program
- Bermuda – Work From Bermuda
- The Bahamas – Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay
- Grenada – Grenada Digital Nomad Visa
- St Lucia – Live It
Some other nearby countries with Digital Nomad Visas that offer long-stay beach access to the Caribbean Sea are:
- Panama – Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers
- Costa Rica – Rentista & Digital Nomad Visa
- Mexico – Temporary Resident Visa
Alternative Tropical Islands With Digital Nomad Visas
If you fancy tropical island life there are a few alternatives not in the Caribbean that offer a Digital Nomad Visa:
- Sri Lanka
- Malta – Malta Digital Nomad Residence Permit
- Cape Verde – Remote Working Cabo Verde
- Mauritius – Premium Travel Visa
- Seychelles – Seychelles Workcation Program
Nomad Girl has created an extensive list of Digital Nomad visas that is updated regularly.
