Options in Montserrat for Digital Nomads
In 2021, the country launched a digital nomad visa program called the “Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp”. It allows remote workers from all over the world to live on this tropical island for twelve months. In this article, you will learn about this program.
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There are many benefits of relocating to Montserrat:
- Ease of obtaining a digital nomad visa: The government has implemented a friendly policy for digital nomads that allows them to get a visa within 2 weeks.
- Excellent place for retreat: Now only around 5,000 people live here. This fact, the breathtaking landscapes and fantastic flora make Montserrat a good option if you’re looking for a quiet place away from crowds.
- Warm and mild weather: Montserrat has a tropical climate, hot and humid all year round. However, constant sea and mountain breezes help keep Montserrat’s humidity among the lowest in the entire Caribbean.
- Virtually COVID-19–free environment: With a population of fewer than 5,000 people, it has been much easier to control the spread of COVID-19. Available vaccines are Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca.
- Appetizing and delicious cuisine: The national cuisine is a unique blend of British, African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. You will certainly never be short of cuisine options when you’re in Montserrat.
- Various leisure activities: You can try hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, boat tours, and many other unforgettable experiences.
In January 2021, the Government of Montserrat launched the Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp. This is the visa program that offers digital nomads an opportunity to work remotely while enjoying this tiny and beautiful Caribbean island.
Key facts
- The digital nomad visa in Montserrat is officially called the Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp.
- This Stamp allows digital nomads to work remotely in Montserrat for a maximum of 12 months.
- You can reapply for the Barbados digital nomad visa.
- The application fee is $500 for individuals. The available Family Bundle fee is $750 for a family with up to 3 dependants. Any additional applicants are required to pay $250 each.
- The application process is quite fast, and approval is obtained within 7 working days in most cases.
- There are no limits on the number of persons admitted under this visa category.
Who can apply?
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Montserrat Remote Workers Stamp:
- Prove that you can work location-independently using telecommunications technologies. In addition, you will need to prove that you fit one of the three following categories:
- You work for an employer that is registered in a foreign country and you have a contract of work with that employer;
- You conduct business activity for a company that is registered in a foreign country and of which you are a partner/shareholder; or
- You offer freelance or consulting services mostly to clients whose permanent establishments are in a foreign country and with whom you have contracts.
- Earn an annual income of at least US $70,000; and
- Have health insurance with valid Montserrat and COVID-19 coverage.
What documents are required to apply for the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp?
To apply for the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp, you must provide:
- A completed application form;
- Proof of employment for the company registered and operating outside of Montserrat;
- Proof of the annual income of the applicant;
- Proof of valid health insurance with Montserrat and COVID-19;
- Proof of visa fee payment;
- Proof of visas (for citizens of countries that require a tourist visa to enter Montserrat);
- Police record;
- A passport-size photograph;
- A copy of your birth certificate;
- A copy of the biographical data page of your passport (please note that the passport must remain valid for at least 6 months);
- A list of the items you wish to import free of customs duties and consumption tax and which are necessary for or connected to the fulfillment of your employment duties while in Montserrat, if any;
- Proof of relationship to dependants, if applicable.
Application process and timeline
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp:
- Gather all required documents: You should prepare the necessary documents in advance.
- Complete and submit application: The application must be submitted online via a specially developed e-platform of the Government of Montserrat. Your application must be clear and accurate. Please note that no broker or other representative can sign the application on your behalf.
- Pay the application fee: You must pay the application fee online. The application fee is $500 for an individual and $750 for a family of up to three dependants and $250 for each additional dependent.
- Wait for approval: The processing time is usually seven working days. If your application is approved, you will be notified by email. Your Montserrat Remote Worker Stamp will be sent to you via email and will be valid from the date of your arrival to the island for 12 months.
Brief history of Montserrat
The original indigenous inhabitants of Montserrat began to arrive on this island about 5000 years ago. Carib peoples, who arrived later, are said to have named the island Alliouagana (“Land of the Prickly Bush”). Montserrat was said to be uninhabited by the time Christopher Columbus sighted it in November 1493 and named it Montserrat after the famous monastery near Barcelona, Spain.
Many of the first Europeans who settled on the island in 1632 were Irish indentured servants, while enslaved Africans were brought there to work on plantations that produced mainly sugar, sea-island cotton, and lime. The Africans brought customs and traditions that have blended with some Irish customs. Montserrat became known as the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean” due to the striking resemblance of its cliffs and shorelines to Ireland, as well as its historical ties. Until 1956, the island was a British Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands.
In 1995, life in Montserrat drastically changed. The Soufrière Hills Volcano erupted for the first time in almost 400 years. Two-thirds of the southern part of the island, including the capital, Plymouth, was devastated, and much of it remains buried beneath thick layers of ash and mud. Two-thirds of the population has since migrated to North America and the UK. And now the population is only about 5,000 people.
Nowadays, Montserrat is one of 14 UK Overseas Territories, governed by a locally elected Premier and Parliament.
Infrastructure
There are no shopping malls or chains in Montserrat. However, many unique and independently owned stores and boutiques are scattered around the inhabited parts of the island. Most Montserrat shops are clustered around the main roads and tourist attractions.
There is a pretty good road network connecting all places of interest over the island. Roads are well-paved, but please be careful, as driving can be difficult for those not familiar with winding mountain roads.
Accommodations
Montserrat offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget-friendly studios to private luxury villas. You can rent a property yourself without agent services for both short- and medium-term periods; you can also look at holiday homes and hotel accommodation as alternatives.
There is a website that shows a full list of accommodations on the island. The average prices are from $500 per month for a single person in a one-bedroom apartment and up to $2,500 for a luxury villa.
Healthcare
Montserrat has a public healthcare system divided into Primary and Secondary levels. General practitioners constitute the primary level. The secondary level refers to specialists. There are many health centers around the island, such as the St. Peter’s Clinic or the St. John’s Health Center. The main hospital is Glendon Hospital, which is equipped to provide basic emergency care. However, specialized care is limited and may require travel to a neighboring island. Evacuation – most likely to the USA – will be required for medical emergencies. Please ensure that you have accessible funds to cover upfront fees or appropriate health insurance with coverage for medical evacuation.
Cost of living in Montserrat
For a single person, the estimated monthly cost of living without rent is around $1,000, while for a family with four members you can expect expenses of $4,600. It is significantly cheaper than in most neighboring Caribbean countries.
The prices for most products in the grocery stores and utilities can be found on NUMBEO.
Leisure activities
The most popular recreational activity in Montserrat is hiking. Numerous footpaths crisscross the island, many of which have been used for centuries by people to reach distant villages and agricultural land. There is an opportunity for hikes of varying difficulty, length, and scenery. You will also never lack water-related activities in Montserrat. Scuba-diving, snorkeling, and boat tours are available all year. You can also book a tour to see the ruins of Plymouth, a piece of recent Caribbean history. More detailed information about what to do in Montserrat can be found here.
Additionally, there are many festivals in Montserrat during the year. The most popular is the St. Patrick’s Festival, a 2-week celebration highlighting Montserrat’s African and Irish heritage.
Transport
There are both private and public bus and taxi services across the island which run daily, although schedules vary depending on the location. The most popular type of transport is taxis. Public taxis are easily identified by their green license plates, whose numbers begin with the letter H, although many cabs are owned and operated by individuals or companies.
Another means of public transportation is the mini buses, which have the same type of license plate as smaller cabs and do not travel on set schedules. Mini buses primarily run on Montserrat’s main road during the day. A monthly pass for public transportation is around $25; a daily ticket is around $1.
You can also hire a car or a quad-bike. Just remember the speed limits are restricted to 32 kph (20mph) around the island.
Tax matters
Digital nomads are not required to pay the Montserrat Income Tax during their stay under the Montserrat Remote Work Stamp. However, if you are a citizen of certain countries such as the USA or the UK, you are still required to file an annual tax return each year to your respective tax authority.
Please note that if you rent an apartment you must additionally pay the 7% Government Hotel Tax.
Although there are many benefits to relocating to Montserrat, you should be aware of certain alerts about this country:
- The average Internet speed is significantly lower than in other Caribbean countries. You will get download/upload speeds of around only 20 Mbps. Mobile data services are still mostly on 3G.
- Montserrat is a very tiny island that has a population of about 5,000 people.
- Two-thirds of the island is now an exclusion zone, which was created after the volcano eruption in 1995.
HI’s Digital Nomad Suitability Score (HI-DNS score)
Considering various factors, here’s our assessment of Montserrat as a destination for digital nomads, based on the HI’s Digital Nomad Suitability Score (HI-DNS score).
CRITERIA | SCORE |
Ease of obtaining a visa | Excellent |
Cost of visa | Good |
Index of happiness | Average |
Duration of visa | Excellent |
Safety | Excellent |
Cost of living | Good |
Healthcare | Poor |
Internet Infrastructure | Poor |
Taxes | Excellent |
Infrastructure | Good |
Incentives from the government for digital nomads | Poor |
Montserrat is a unique destination for digital nomads with many advantages, including a facilitated visa process, perfect weather, and being one of the safest places in the Caribbean. If you are interested in relocating to Montserrat, contact our team, We can make the process smooth and painless for you.
If you are interested in trying something different while working remotely, consider Montserrat, an island country that welcomes digital nomads and offers excellent retreat conditions. Contact our team, and we will be glad to match you with your dream country, prepare the required documents, and successfully file an application for a digital nomad visa. We will make the application process convenient for you! Our team can also assist you in other tasks such as looking for optimal healthcare insurance, translation of documents, preparation and validation of your documents, etc.
If you still have any questions that are not covered in our article, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to help!