The COVID-19 pandemic created millions of new remote workers in 2020. This year, as international vaccination programs start to gain momentum, many of those workers are itching to pack up their laptops and start traveling the world as digital nomads.
In an effort to attract these wandering workers, Curacao recently introduced a remote work visa that allows digital professionals to live and work on the island for up to six months, with the option for renewal.
To qualify for the @Home in Curacao program, remote workers must be one of the following:
- A contracted worker for an employer registered in a foreign country
- A partner or shareholder for a company that is registered in a foreign country
- A freelancer or consultant who offers contracted services to clients who are permanently established in a foreign country
Remote workers will also have to complete an online application and provide the following documents:
- Copy of passport identification page
- Proof of international travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage
- Proof of foreign employment or foreign business ownership
- Proof of payment of application fee, which is approximately $300 USD
It’s no wonder Curacao, which has a population of approximately 160,000 people, has a growing digital nomad community. The Dutch island is a tropical paradise, with quaint beaches, sweeping coral reefs, diverse marine life and warm weather throughout the year.
In addition, the island offers one of the best nightlife scenes in the Caribbean, numerous tourist activities and a rich, multicultural environment, with English, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and Papiamentu spoken by many locals.
Add reliable internet service, top-tier coworking spaces and an international airport with direct flights to the U.S. and Europe to the mix, and it’s a potential dream destination for digital nomads.
Of course, in many ways, digital nomads are dream tourists for Curacao as well. While typical visitors stay on the island for just a few days, remote workers often stay for months, pouring money into the local economy the entire time.
The island hopes that the new digital nomad visa will attract large numbers of these big spenders and accelerate its economic recovery from the pandemic.
Curacao isn’t the only Caribbean nation vying for the attention of digital nomads. Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda and the Bahamas have also introduced remote work visas to lure digital professionals to their shores.
