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Leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping and before we know it, much of the US will be covered in snow.
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 new travel trend in recent years has literally taken the world by storm, with remote workers bouncing around the world with their laptops in tow.
Chances are not many digital nomads have Iceland, Norway or Sweden in their sights in the coming months, but the Caribbean is a different story.
Why endure a freezing winter with such a flexible lifestyle?
While Cancun, Punta Cana and even Curaçao are great bases, there’s a little-known island that welcomes digital nomads for a whole year – and the ‘Stamp for remote workers‘ is a simple process to get approved.
Montserrat: a dot on the map, ready to make a name for itself
Ever heard of Montserrat? Most people would say no.
This small island between St. Kitts and Nevis and Guadeloupe, a few other lesser-known gems in their own right, lies between Montserrat in the open sea.
However, this British Overseas Territory is a stunner. With postcard landscapes from black sand beaches, given its volcanic past, along with lush jungles and vibrant blue waters, this place doesn’t sound too shabby as a working environment, right?
Recently hyped 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, shut off your laptop and swim in crystal-clear waters, explore countless hiking trails (including ancient sites), kayak hidden coves, and participate in local community events like group yoga classes.
Don’t let size be a deciding factor; Monserrat is making waves and poised to become a hub for digital nomads.
Montserrat’s ‘teleworkers stamp’
Sometimes digital nomads find loopholes in certain countries without an official digital nomad visa.
Often countries allow this tourists to stay within their borders for 30, 60 or 90 days, but are a bit behind the new digital nomad craze.
Montserrat is already involved in the program, launching their ‘Remote Worker Stamp’ program in 2021, so there’s no need to try to ‘sneak in’, so to speak.
Applying is super easy. You just go to this website and complete a short form, submit it and you will hear back within seven days.
The cost is $500 to apply for a 12-month stay for one person. There are some requirements to take into account:
- Must prove income of $70,000
- Must prove that you work for a foreign company*
- Must have valid health insurance that provides coverage against COVID-19
- Must provide a police report
- Must provide passport and photo (passport size).
*To bypass the requirements of a foreign company, you can also offer freelance/consulting services.
Being on the low end of the Caribbean crime statistics can leave you feeling at home with the friendly locals and being able to hit the road without feeling like your head is spinning.
For those who prioritize high-speed WiFi for their work tasks, Montserrat’s average speed is 20Mbs.
Affordability
Montserrat ranks 26th in VisaGuide’s 2023 Digital Nomad Index – not so bad for such a microscopic island.
Although the income requirements are higher than those of the average digital nomad visa, life in Montserrat is very manageable.
According to the same report just mentioned, the cost of living won’t put you off as there are much more popular destinations for digital nomads with higher costs across the board.
For example, in the capital Brades, rent is around $1000 (slightly more for serviced apartments on Airbnb).
Many of these are spacious and have dedicated work areas, but towns like Brades have great cafes Saje Caféwhere iced lattes and sandwiches cost less than $5.
Obviously rent is the highest expense, but there are so many free things to do outside that Montserrat’s amazing nature almost begs to be discovered: paddle boarding through Little Bay, reading a book at Spanish Point, or visit the free Montserrat volcano observatory.
The only other expensive option might be a flight, as there are no direct connections from the US. For a full list of flight options, click here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
