Antigua and Barbuda’s New Residency Program Allows Digital Nomads to Live There for 2 Years
Itching for a change of scenery, especially if you’re going to be working from home for the foreseeable future? Antigua and Barbuda is here to tempt you to grab your passport and pack your bags—the dual-island nation is joining the ranks of locales like Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Estonia, and Georgia to offer a brand new “Nomad Digital Residence Program,” which offers incentives for remote workers to to live and work there for up to two years, all while enjoying the 365 beaches and many recreational offerings, restaurants, and amenities once you clock out for the day.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced the news in a statement, sharing all the benefits for those who might be interested in working remotely from the Caribbean dual island for a while. The only requirements for entry are proof that you make at least $50,000 (€42,685) and can support yourself and any family members you bring along, maintaining your employment in your home country while you’re there.
The stunning tropical paradise land boasts excellent Wi-Fi and cellular coverage, with Browne noting that “you can work in any part of the world from Antigua as if you were in your office or home.” Of course, you’ll also enjoy crystal blue waters with silky white sand beaches, fun adventures like snorkeling and deep sea diving, and friendly locals and visitors alike.
You can apply online, and those chosen will have to pay an entry fee before arrival. Single applicants will pay $1,500, couples are $2,000, and families of three or more are $3,000. And though Antigua and Barbuda’s COVID-19 rates are currently low, per Browne’s statement, back in August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Antigua and Barbuda due to the coronavirus pandemic, also noting that travel during COVID-19 is risky and that nonessential travel should be reconsidered.
Participants in the program will be required to maintain physical distance from others while wearing a mask in common spaces and public places; along with regular hand washing and hand sanitizing when in public. Still, if you haven’t gone much further than your living room since March, a little island time sounds like a dream.