Leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and snow will blanket much of the U.S. before we know it.
The good news is that there are still plenty of places to visit for winter sun, and perhaps no type of traveler knows this better than digital nomads.
This newfound travel trend of recent years has quite literally taken over the globe, where remote workers bounce around the world with their laptops in tow.
Chances are not many digital nomads have Iceland, Norway, or Sweden in their sights for the coming months, but the Caribbean is another story.
Why suffer through a frigid winter with such a flexible lifestyle?
While Cancun, Punta Cana, and even Curacao make for great bases, there’s one little-known island welcoming digital nomads for a full year – and the ‘Remote Workers Stamp‘ is a straightforward process to get approved.
Montserrat: A Blip On The Map Ready To Make A Name For Itself
Ever heard of Montserrat? Most people would say no.
This tiny island between St. Kitts & Nevis and Guadeloupe, a pair of other lesser-known gems in their own right, sandwich Montserrat in the open sea.
This British Overseas Territory is a stunner, though. Boasting postcard landscapes from black sand beaches given its volcanic past, along with lush jungles, and vivid blue waters, this place doesn’t sound too shabby of a work environment, does it?
Recently hyped up as one of the world’s ‘top 25 beach destinations for digital nomads’, local publication Montserrat Focus backs the claim that their beloved island is an ‘ideal spot’ and could be your ‘private paradise office’.
Before and after Zoom meetings, you can shut your laptop and swim in crystalline waters, explore numerous hiking trails (including ancient sites), kayak hidden coves, and join local community events like group yoga classes.
Don’t let size be a deciding factor; Monserrat packs a punch and is ready to become a digital nomad hub.
Montserrat’s ‘Remote Worker Stamp’
Sometimes digital nomads find loopholes in certain countries without an official digital nomad visa.
Oftentimes countries allow tourists to stay within their borders 30, 60, or 90 days, but are a little behind the times with the new digital nomad craze.
Montserrat is already with the program, launching their ‘Remote Worker Stamp’ program back in 2021, so no need to try to “sneak in,” so to speak.
Applying is super easy. You simply go to this website and fill out a brief form, submit it, and you’ll hear back within 7 days.
The cost is $500 to apply for a single individual for a 12-month stay. There are some requirements to be considered:
- Must prove $70,000 income
- Must prove you work for a foreign company*
- Must carry valid health insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
- Must provide a police record
- Must provide passport and photo (passport size)
*To bypass the requirement of a foreign company, you may also offer freelance/consulting services.
Being on the low end of Caribbean crime statistics, you couldn’t feel more at home with friendly locals and being able to go out and about without feeling like your head is on a swivel.
For those who prioritize speedy wifi for their work tasks, Montserrat’s average speed is 20Mbs.
Affordability
Montserrat ranked 26th on VisaGuide’s 2023 Digital Nomad Index – not too bad for such a microscopic island.
While income requirements are higher than the average digital nomad visa, living in Montserrat is quite doable.
According to the same report just mentioned, cost of living won’t deter you as there are far more popular digital nomad destinations with higher costs across the board.
For example, rent is about $1000 (slightly more for serviced apartments on Airbnb) in the capital, Brades.
Many of which are spacious with designated working spaces, but towns like Brades have great cafes like Saje Cafe, where iced lattes and sandwiches are under $5.
Obviously, rent is the highest expense, but there are so many free things to do outdoors, as Montserrat’s astounding nature is practically begging to be explored—paddleboard through Little Bay, read a book at Spanish Point, or visit the free Montserrat Volcano Observatory.
The only other high-cost option might be a flight since there are no direct connections from the U.S. For a full list of flight options, click here.
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