Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Program

Summary: Spend a year working remotely from the Bahamas with their new Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Program. Plus, you can apply online and get approved in 5 days.

If you're dreaming of escaping your current locale and want to work or study remotely from The Bahamas, the BEATS program may be for you.

Program: Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Program
Length of Stay: 12 months, annual renewals will be considered for a maximum 3 year stay.
Fees: Permit Fees: $1,000 BSD per applicant (Work Remotely Permit), $500 BSD for each Dependent. $500 for Student Program (Student Remotely Permit). Application Fees of $25 BSD per person (Work Remotely, Student, Dependent). Plus, cost of the Bahamas' Travel Health Visa ($40-70 BSD per person, children 10 and under free)
Online Application Available: Yes
Requirements & Documents: Valid Passport; If apply for Work Remotely Permit, proof of employment.; If applying for Student Remotely Permit, a student ID; Medical Insurance Card. Information about Health Insurers that provide coverage in the Bahamas. You will also need to apply for a Travel Health Visa, which provides proof of a negative COVID-19 test plus travel health insurance coverage.
Covid-19 Testing Required: Yes, as part of their new Travel Health Visa
Application Timing: Once you apply, approval is typically within 5 days. You will receive an e-mail with a link to payment for your permit and application fees. Upon paying, you will receive a QR code to show upon entry. The separate Travel Health Visa takes approximately 2 days to process.
More Information & FAQ

Apply for Bahamas BEATS Program

The Bahamas is welcoming students and remote workers to spend up to a year studying and working remotely from any of the 16 main islands currently welcoming travelers, which includes Paradise Island (Nassau), Grand Bahama Island (Freeport), Eleuthera, Harbor Island, The Abacos, Bimini, The Exumas and others. The BEATS Program, which is short for Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay, has an online application, fees of $500 - $1,000 BSD per person + nominal application and travel health visa fees. "Married Couples will be required to submit separate applications if both parties intend to work from The Bahamas. However, only one of these applicants will need to apply on behalf of mutual dependents," notes the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

"Everyone travelling to The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. The day the test is taken is considered day zero. Test must return a negative result for entry into The Bahamas," wrote the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. That test is then uploaded as part of the Travel Health Visa application. The application takes approximately 2 days to be processed. Be sure to check the website for details on the testing requirements and timing of the testing and application.

More information about The Bahamas:

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.