Bermuda Opens Its Doors To Digital Nomads - Forbes

A tropical island with yachts and houses in Bermuda — getty

Having been a digital nomad for most of the last 6 years, I’m always keen to learn about places that understand the lifestyle. A growing number of countries are actively welcoming those that can work remotely, understanding the benefit of financially stable foreigners bringing outside money into their country for significantly longer than any tourist.

Perhaps a tourist might spend more per day than a digital nomad, we do live on a budget after all, that can easily be offset in total amount spent since we’re staying for weeks or months.

Some countries have always given digital nomads a wink and a nod, allowing “visa runs” where someone takes a bus to the border, crosses over and then immediately back, “updating” their visa for another 90 days or so.

Bermuda is becoming one of a handful of countries going one step further.

“To that end, it has long been recognized that there are persons who are location-independent, using technology to perform their job no matter where they are. Such persons work remotely, telecommuting rather than being physically present at a company's headquarters or office. 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.”

Starting August 1st, you can apply for a “One Year Residential Certificate” at a cost of $263. There are a handful of requirements, of course, but none are particularly serious:

· over the age of 18

· demonstrate good character and not have conviction for an indictable offence;

· possess valid health insurance;

· demonstrate employment with a legitimate firm or their own company registered and operating overseas, which does not operate in Bermuda, in the case of a remote worker;

· provide evidence of enrollment in a Research, Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctorate Program, in the case of a Student;

· demonstrate sufficient means and/or continuous source of annual income without the need to engage in gainful employment in Bermuda.

For most digital nomads, it should be fairly easy to prove these. No criminal records, a track record as a digital nomad, etc.. The last one is perhaps the most logical. The idea here is to bring people, and their incomes, into Bermuda, without taking work from native Bermudians.

Warwick beach — Beach in south side of Hamilton Island in Bermuda.
getty

This visa also applies to college students who can’t study in person but are enrolled, which is pretty cool too.

There is one hitch, however. As of this writing, there are no hostels in Bermuda. So right there the cost of living for the average digital nomad goes up significantly. There are certainly other options, like AirBnB or perhaps house sitting, but living on a budget in such an expensive place is going to be a bit of a challenge.

Then again, looking at those beaches and that water, perhaps the challenge will be worth it.

For more info, check out Gov.bm.

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