The COVID-19 pandemic has seen several small and large scale companies that can afford to discharge their daily duties remotely, implementing work-from-home policies for safety reasons.
A phenomenon that evolved out of necessity, some companies have given their employees the option of working from home beyond the end of the year.
With the effects of the ongoing pandemic taking a toll on the global economy, some countries – particularly those that generate a significant portion of their revenue from tourism – are taking advantage of the aforementioned and offering a “vacationing while working” opportunity for visitors where they can work there remotely for up to a year with feasible packages.
In July, the Caribbean nation of Barbados announced they could be introducing a 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp to allow visitors to work remotely on the island for up to a year. The policy has since been implemented.
In a statement to Insider, Sunil Chatrani, Chairman of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., said “the working environment in Barbados definitely enables you to get things done,” adding that the island nation has “the fastest fiber internet and mobile services in the Caribbean,” coupled with “a range of flexible office space locations.” Chatrani also touted the island’s great health and education systems, for visitors looking at bringing their families.
The application forms, which are currently available online, will set interested visitors back at a non-refundable charge of $2,000 for a one-year individual visa and $3,000 for a family bundle. Visitors working remotely on the island will not be charged income tax. Applicants must, however, declare they are expected to earn “an income of US$50,000.00 or more over the next 12 months and/or have the means to support” themselves and their dependents during their stay.
In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, the island, which opened its borders in July, has put in place safety restrictions and rules for visitors entering the country. According to Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc., “On arrival in Barbados, travelers will be required to present evidence of a negative result of a PCR COVID-19 test, and bar code to clear immigration.”
Visitors who arrive without proof of a negative PCR test will be required to take one on arrival and undergo mandatory quarantine until the results are out. This can take up to 48 hours. Those who test positive will be isolated and treated by the island’s Ministry of Health and Wellness, the statement also says.
Work remotely in Bermuda for up to a year at cost of $263
The government of Bermuda has also followed suit, offering visitors the opportunity to work or study remotely on the island for up to a year at a cost of $263, Insider reports.
Applicants, who must be 18 years or older, must, however, have health insurance and prove they’re either legitimately employed or enrolled in an educational institution. To keep the jobs of Bermudians safe, applicants must also “demonstrate sufficient means and/or continuous source of annual income without the need to engage in gainful employment” on the island, Bermuda‘s minister of labor, Jason Hayward, said in a statement.
“Remote working has been a growing trend for some time and is something the Bermuda Government has been examining as part of its technology-focused economic diversification strategy. The trend towards remote working has been accelerated by COVID-19,” Hayward said.
