The Barbados Welcome Stamp, the visa that started the digital nomad boom in 2020, lets remote workers earning $50,000 a year live on the island for 12 months. Foreign income isn't treated as Barbados income.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | Up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Route for remote workers | Barbados Welcome Stamp |
| Money you need to show | At least $50,000 a year (about $4,167 a month) from work outside Barbados |
| Length | 12 months, renewable |
| Government fees | $2,000 for an individual; $3,000 for a family |
| Timeline | About 7 days |
| Where you apply | Online through the Barbados Welcome Stamp portal |
| Family | Spouse and children can be included for a $3,000 family fee; children can attend school |
| Long-term residence | The stamp doesn't lead to permanent residence |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
The Barbados Welcome Stamp, the visa that started the digital nomad boom in 2020, lets remote workers earning $50,000 a year live on the island for 12 months. Foreign income isn't treated as Barbados income.
- Remote employees of companies outside Barbados: yes.
- Freelancers and business owners: yes.
- Income: At least $50,000 a year (about $4,167 a month) from work outside Barbados. That's about $4,170 a month.
Open question: Fees and the family rate have been the same since launch; confirm on the official portal.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- Passport
- Proof of employment or business outside Barbados
- Proof of $50,000+ annual income
- Health insurance
- Birth and marriage certificates for family
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: Online through the Barbados Welcome Stamp portal.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- Under the Remote Employment Act 2020, Welcome Stamp holders' foreign income isn't treated as Barbados income
- The US-Barbados tax treaty applies; no totalization agreement
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- Imported goods are expensive; budget more for groceries
- Renting a car is close to essential outside Bridgetown
Where to live in Barbados
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Bridgetown · Holetown · Oistins · Speightstown.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
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