Bahamas Digital Nomad Visa Guide
Visa Name: Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Permit
Launch Year: 2022
Max Stay: 12 months (renewable)
Summary for HR & Compliance Teams
The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Permit allows remote workers and students to reside in the Bahamas for up to a year, with the possibility of renewal. Designed to attract location-independent professionals, the programme is open to individuals who are employed or self-employed outside of the Bahamas.
From a compliance standpoint, the visa prohibits local employment and exempts foreign-sourced income from local taxation, helping to minimise corporate tax and permanent establishment risks. With fast processing times and straightforward online application procedures, the Bahamas is an attractive option for short- to medium-term remote placements.
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 the role does not involve local market activity. |
| Social security obligations? | None, as the visa does not permit local employment. |
| Employment classification risk? | Low. The visa clearly separates foreign workers from the domestic labour force. |
| Permanent establishment (PE) trigger | Unlikely if work is fully remote and non-client-facing. |
Visa Details
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Freelancers and employees working for non-Bahamian employers |
| Minimum income requirement | Not specified |
| Visa cost | $1,000 USD (individual) + $500 USD per additional dependent |
| Max stay | 12 months (renewable) |
| Processing time | ~5 days |
| Application difficulty | Easy (fully online) |
| Renewable? | Yes |
| Dependents allowed? | Yes |
| Work for local company? | No |
| Application link | Apply Now |
| Gov info link | Bahamas BEATS Programme |
Local Living Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT -5 |
| Cost of living | $$$ (High) |
| Wi-Fi speed | 56 Mbps |
| Popular hubs | Nassau, Exuma, Eleuthera |
| Lifestyle | Tropical climate, English-speaking, luxury island living, strong tourism infrastructure. |
Why Bahamas Works for Employers
Low compliance risk: No local tax on foreign income and no local employment allowed.
Fast approvals: Applications processed in as little as five days.
Attractive living environment: Premium location for attracting and retaining top talent.
Family-friendly: Dependents can be included in a single application.
Risk Summary
Best suited for: Professionals seeking a premium, short- to medium-term work-from-anywhere destination.
Caution: High cost of living; budget considerations needed for long stays.
Recommendation: Use as part of a retention or talent-attraction strategy for key employees.
At a Glance: Bahamas DNV Summary
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa in Place | Yes |
| Visa Name | Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) Permit |
| Launch Year | 2022 |
| Max Stay | 12 months |
| Visa Fee | $1,000 USD (individual) + $500 USD per dependent |
| Income Requirement | Not specified |
| Tax on Foreign Income | No |
| Social Security | No |
| Work for Local Employer? | No |
| Processing Time | ~5 days |
| Application Type | Online |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Eligible Roles | Freelancers, employees |
| Wi-Fi Speed | 56 Mbps |
| Cost of Living | $$$ |
| 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.
