Antigua and Barbuda Digital Nomad Visa Guide
Visa Name: Nomad Digital Residence Visa
Launch Year: 2020
Max Stay: 2 years (continuous stay allowed)
Summary for HR & Compliance Teams
The Nomad Digital Residence Visa offers freelancers and employees the opportunity to live and work remotely from Antigua and Barbuda for up to two years. The programme is targeted at high-earning professionals and is open to both individuals and families.
From a compliance perspective, the visa prohibits local employment and exempts foreign-sourced income from local taxation, making it a low-risk option for corporate tax and permanent establishment exposure. However, the application process is considered strict, with thorough documentation requirements and a higher income threshold compared to other Caribbean destinations.
Key Compliance Considerations
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Can your employee work for a local company? | No. Local employment is not permitted. |
| Local income tax payable? | No. Foreign income is exempt. |
| Corporate tax / PE risk? | Low, provided no local market activity is conducted. |
| Social security obligations? | None, as no local employment is allowed. |
| Employment classification risk? | Low. Visa clearly separates foreign remote workers from domestic workforce. |
| Permanent establishment (PE) trigger | Unlikely if work is fully remote and non-client-facing locally. |
Visa Details
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Freelancers and employees with non-Antiguan employers |
| Minimum income requirement | $50,000 USD/year |
| Visa cost | $1,500 USD (individual) / $3,000 USD (family) |
| Max stay | 2 years |
| Processing time | ~2 weeks |
| Application difficulty | Strict (extensive documentation required) |
| Renewable? | Not specified |
| Dependents allowed? | Yes |
| Work for local company? | No |
| Application link | Not provided |
| Gov info link | Antigua & Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence |
Local Living Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT -4 |
| Cost of living | $$ (Moderate) |
| Wi-Fi speed | 16 Mbps |
| Popular hubs | St. John’s, English Harbour |
| Lifestyle | Warm Caribbean climate, English-speaking, luxury resorts, growing expat community. |
Why Antigua and Barbuda Works for Employers
Tax-efficient: No local tax on foreign-sourced earnings.
Long stay option: Two-year visa provides stability for extended remote assignments.
Family inclusion: Dependents can be added to the same visa application.
Risk Summary
Best suited for: High-earning professionals seeking a long-term Caribbean base.
Caution: High income threshold and strict application requirements.
Recommendation: Consider for senior staff retention and strategic mobility planning.
At a Glance: Antigua and Barbuda DNV Summary
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa in Place | Yes |
| Visa Name | Nomad Digital Residence Visa |
| Launch Year | 2020 |
| Max Stay | 2 years |
| Visa Fee | $1,500 USD (individual) / $3,000 USD (family) |
| Income Requirement | $50,000 USD/year |
| Tax on Foreign Income | No |
| Social Security | No |
| Work for Local Employer? | No |
| Processing Time | ~2 weeks |
| Application Type | Online |
| Difficulty | Strict |
| Eligible Roles | Freelancers, employees |
| Wi-Fi Speed | 16 Mbps |
| Cost of Living | $$ |
| Residency Path | Not available |
| Last Reviewed | August 2025 |
Donal Brady is Co-Founder and Head of Product at Work From Anywhere, a platform to help companies execute a successful workation policy. He has deep expertise and experience in the world of remote work having spent nearly twenty years working in finance leadership roles with global multinationals like PwC, before entering the world of global mobility with International SOS and then pivoting into the software industry with Accel-KKR backed Smart Communications. He walks the walk with Work From Anywhere, speaking 5 languages, having travelled to 65+ countries and worked in 10.
