Key takeaways
- Bermuda's Work from Bermuda Certificate, launched in 2020 to let remote workers live on the island for up to a year, stopped accepting applications on 28 February 2025, according to the Government of Bermuda's official form page; existing holders keep their certificates until expiry.
- Without it, the routes to live in Bermuda are a work permit sponsored by a Bermuda employer, a Residential Certificate for financially independent people with local ties or property, or a business/investor route – all more demanding.
- Remote workers who want a Caribbean or Atlantic base can look at programmes still open in 2026 such as the Barbados Welcome Stamp, the Bahamas' BEATS or Curaçao's @HOME. Two other well-known options have closed: Antigua's Nomad Digital Residence (15 November 2025) and the Cayman Islands' Global Citizen Concierge Program (2026).
Last reviewed: October 2026
Bermuda was one of the first jurisdictions to launch a digital nomad visa during the pandemic. Its reported closure in 2025 left many remote workers looking for alternatives. This article explains what changed, what it means for tax and immigration, and which alternatives remain for location-independent professionals.
Bermuda digital nomad visa – status summary
| Item | Status / rule |
|---|---|
| Programme | Work from Bermuda Certificate (launched 2020, up to 1 year) |
| Reported change | No new applications accepted from 28 February 2025 |
| Existing holders | Allowed to stay until certificate expiry |
| Personal income tax in Bermuda | None |
| Payroll tax | Applies to remuneration for Bermuda employment, shared by employer and employee |
| Main alternatives in Bermuda | Work permit; Residential Certificate; business/investment routes |
What changed and why it matters
The Work from Bermuda Certificate let remote employees and self-employed people working for non-Bermuda clients live on the island without a local job. The government stopped accepting applications on 28 February 2025. Official reasons were not detailed; commentators pointed to housing pressure and a shift towards longer-term residents.
For tax, the key point was simple: Bermuda has no income tax, and nomads working for foreign employers generally fell outside Bermuda's payroll tax. Ending the programme does not change Bermuda's tax system, only access to it.
Ways to live in Bermuda now
- Work permit – sponsored by a Bermuda-based employer, approved by the Department of Immigration; the role is usually advertised locally first.
- Residential Certificate – for financially self-sufficient people, often linked to property investment or substantial local ties; it does not authorise local employment. Check current conditions with the Department of Immigration.
- Business and investor routes – setting up and running a Bermuda business with substance, or the Economic Investment Certificate, which requires an investment of at least BMD 2.5 million in Bermuda.
These routes carry higher costs and requirements than the former nomad certificate.
Alternatives for remote workers
| Programme | Duration (typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Barbados Welcome Stamp | 12 months, renewable | Open; minimum income requirement; no Barbados tax on foreign income during the stay |
| Cayman Islands Global Citizen Concierge Program | – | Closed to new applicants (2026) |
| Antigua & Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence | – | Discontinued 15 November 2025 |
| Bahamas BEATS | 1 year, renewable | Open; no income tax; work only for non-Bahamian employers or clients |
| Curaçao @HOME | Temporary stay (around 6–12 months) | Open; tax treatment depends on length of stay |
Remember: a digital nomad visa rarely makes you tax resident in the host country. If you keep ties in your home country, it may continue to tax you – the visa saves tax only if you genuinely cease residence at home and the host country does not tax you.
Example: A Canadian marketing consultant who planned a year in Bermuda moves to Barbados on the Welcome Stamp instead. Barbados does not tax his Canadian-source consulting income during the stay, but Canada still taxes him as long as he keeps his Toronto home and family ties.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bermuda still have a digital nomad visa?
No. The Work from Bermuda Certificate stopped accepting applications on 28 February 2025; current holders keep their certificates until expiry.
Do you pay tax in Bermuda as a remote worker?
Bermuda has no personal income tax. Payroll tax applies to remuneration for Bermuda employment. Remote workers employed abroad generally did not pay Bermuda payroll tax, but may remain taxable in their home country.
What are the best alternatives to Bermuda's nomad visa?
The Barbados Welcome Stamp, the Bahamas' BEATS permit and Curaçao's @HOME programme are still open. Antigua's Nomad Digital Residence and the Cayman Islands' Global Citizen Concierge Program have closed.
Can I still move to Bermuda without a job?
Possibly through a Residential Certificate if you are financially self-sufficient and have local ties or property investment, but requirements are strict and local employment is not permitted.
Related guides
- Tax incentives for expats in Curaçao
- Best zero-tax countries for software engineers
- The perpetual traveler lifestyle: risks
Sources
- Government of Bermuda – Department of Immigration (gov.bm)
- Bermuda Payroll Tax Act
- Official programme pages of Barbados, Cayman Islands, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas and Curaçao
This article is general information, not immigration or tax advice. Programme statuses change frequently; confirm with official sources.
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