Extended Access Travel Stay Permit Available for Remote Workers and Students

The situation

The Bahamas is offering the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) permit, which allows professionals and students to work and study remotely/online from the Bahamas for up to one year (extendable for up to three years).

A closer look

• Remote work. Individuals applying to work remotely in the Bahamas must submit a job letter from their current employer abroad or proof of self-employment, if applicable.
• Remote study. Students must submit evidence of enrollment in an accredited learning institution and proof of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay.
• Additional travel permit. Depending on their nationality, some foreign nationals may require a travel permit to enter the Bahamas, in addition to the BEATS permit.
• Application process. Interested applicants can complete and submit the application online to the Bahamas Immigration Office, which will process it in approximately five days.

 

Impact

• Working remotely. The BEATS program offers foreign nationals the option to reside and work remotely or study from the Bahamas, whereas remote work in the Bahamas has traditionally required a regular work permit sponsored by local employer.
• Local work not allowed. Holders of a BEATS permit, or their dependents, cannot obtain gainful employment in the Bahamas during the term of the permit.

 

Background

• Economic recovery. Due to the unprecedented flexibility in work location that has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bahamas seeks to attract long-term visitors and to increase local economic activity.
• Growing trend. Remote work has been a growing trend during the COVID-19 pandemic, with other countries in the Caribbean like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda and Cayman Islands recently implementing visas for remote workers.
• Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.

 

Looking ahead

As the non-traditional workforce grows and countries focus on post-COVID-19 economic remobilization, more governments will likely start to slowly adapt and update or implement remote work policies. Fragomen will report on related developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].