🇧🇸 Bahamas Digital Nomad Visa: Live Your Dream with the BEATS Permit

How the Bahamas digital nomad visa works

Your dream of island life is still within reach. While its neighbors have shut their nomad programs down again (the Cayman Islands in 2024, Bermuda in early 2025), the Bahamas still accepts applications. BEATS stands for Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay. Strictly speaking, it is not a visa but a one-year residence permit for people working remotely for employers or clients outside the Bahamas. Studying remotely? There is a student version, too. One firm boundary: the permit expressly does not allow work for Bahamian clients or employers.

Imagine making that move without drowning in paperwork: no fixed minimum income, no stacks of certified documents, and processing in about five working days. That is how refreshingly unbureaucratic this program is. But paradise comes at a cost: daily life on the islands is among the most expensive in the region. Your dream deserves an honest calculation, not hidden trade-offs. You will find both sides on this page.

No income threshold, but paradise comes with a cost of living

No income threshold: imagine the door that opens. It’s what makes The Bahamas stand out in the Caribbean. Almost all comparable programs ask for an annual income of US$75,000-100,000. Here, what matters is whether your remote work is real. An employment contract, or, if you are self-employed, proof of clients and revenue, is enough.

But before your heart says “this is it,” let the numbers have their say. Covering daily life in Nassau on less than about US$3,000 a month means a tight budget. The permit itself may be cheap to get; building the life you’re dreaming of there is not.

How to apply

1. Take the first step towards your Bahamas dream: fill in the online application on the Bahamas Immigration portal, with a passport copy and proof of remote work (a job letter from your employer, or proof of self-employment). The US$25 application fee is due per person, including family members.
2. Wait for that life-changing approval, in practice about five working days.
3. Make it real: pay the permit fee. US$1,000 for you, US$500 each for a partner and children.
4. Arrive and start living your dream. The Annual Residence Permit is valid for 12 months from issue. Apply for renewal every year, up to the three-year limit.

The program does not formally require health insurance. But please, do not risk your dream, or your finances, by going without it. Medical care in the Bahamas is limited, serious cases are flown to Florida, and without a policy that becomes ruinously expensive. Protect your peace of mind: our overview of health insurance for digital nomads explains what solid cover includes.

The tax question, answered honestly

Imagine keeping more of what you work so hard to earn. The Bahamas levies no income tax, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. The state is funded through VAT, customs duties and fees. Get the detail in the Bahamas tax guide on our sister site.

But before you picture your new life, understand what decides your numbers: 0% in the Bahamas does not mean 0% for you. Whether you stay taxable at home depends on the rules of the country where you are resident now. Keep a home there, or leave your center of vital interests there, and you usually remain fully taxable at home, whatever permit is in your passport. Some countries also keep taxing certain income for years after you move to a low-tax country. Do not let the dream become an expensive surprise. A BEATS permit alone does not end your tax obligations; the order matters: first a clean departure, then the new base.

If you are a US citizen, this is essential: you remain subject to US income tax on your worldwide income wherever you live (IRS). Protect your plans with our guide on whether digital nomads are tax free, which explains why the nomad lifestyle does not end tax obligations automatically.

Daily life: big costs, the US within reach, Europe further away

Dreaming of Nassau? Go in with your eyes open: it is one of the most expensive cities in the Western Hemisphere. Almost everything is imported, with VAT and customs duties adding to the bill. A normal apartment quickly costs US$1,500-2,500 a month, and groceries hit hard too.

Craving a quieter life that costs less? The Out Islands such as Eleuthera or Exuma offer both, but reliable internet is a gamble. If video calls pay your bills, test the connection before you book or plan for Starlink from the start.

Here is what you get in return:

• English as the official language
• the US dollar as a de facto second currency
• a time zone that keeps you connected with North America (if your clients are in Europe, your afternoons are their evenings)
• Miami just over an hour away by plane

Coming from continental Europe? You typically connect via London or the US.

From June to November, hurricane season brings real risk, as Dorian showed in 2019. Protect the life you are building: accommodation of solid construction and an emergency exit route are essentials, not extras. So is a policy that covers evacuation and treatment in the US.

Renewal, limits and the long-term view

Before you fall in love with island life, know this: BEATS does not lead to permanent residence. After three years at most, it ends. If your heart says “stay for good,” you’ll need to switch to the Bahamas' classic residence programs, which run mainly through real estate investment. The thresholds are in the high six to seven figures in US dollars and are adjusted regularly.

That’s what makes BEATS such a compelling test year. With a manageable outlay, you can experience island life, weigh the costs and feel the distance before making a major investment. BEATS is your best fit if your clients or employer are in North America, your income comfortably covers island prices, and you want documented status for a year or more without a lengthy application. It’s less suited to you if you work mainly with European clients, need fast internet away from Nassau, or want a route to permanent residence.

Ready to find your fit? Compare other programs in our digital nomad visa overview, and get the basics in our guide What is a digital nomad visa?.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Bahamas digital nomad visa cost?

Your Bahamas dream starts with a US$25 application fee per person plus US$1,000 for the remote worker permit, US$1,025 for one person. Bringing loved ones? Each family member or student costs US$500 plus the US$25 application fee.

Is there an income requirement for BEATS?

No fixed amount, one less worry between you and your island dream. Simply prove real remote work with an employer letter or, if you are self-employed, with evidence of clients and revenue outside the Bahamas.

Can I bring my family on the BEATS permit?

Yes, share this exciting new chapter with the people you love. Partners and children can be included for US$500 each, and each person pays the US$25 application fee.

Does BEATS lead to permanent residence?

No, but your adventure doesn’t have to end after one year. The permit can be renewed each year up to three years in total. Dreaming of permanent residence? That’s a separate path through real estate based residence programs.