Articles on: Americas

Bahamas — Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS): Work remotely in the Caribbean

Knowledge Base – QUESTRAVEL

By Víctor Pizarro, Co-founder of QUESTRAVEL

Beyond tourism in The Bahamas

When people think of The Bahamas, they picture crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches. Since 2020, this archipelago has also become a strategic base for remote professionals thanks to the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program. With BEATS you can live in The Bahamas for up to one year—and renew up to three years in total—while working remotely or studying online. (Bahamas BEATS)

What is BEATS?

BEATS is a special residency permit for:

  • Remote professionals with employment or businesses based outside The Bahamas.
  • International students who want to continue their studies online while residing on the islands.

It is not a local work visa; it grants temporary legal residence without joining the Bahamian labor market. For the official overview and application, see the BEATS site and How it works pages. (Bahamas BEATS)

Who regulates and processes it

BEATS applications are submitted online and reviewed by Bahamas Immigration, with program information led by the Ministry of Tourism. Start at the official BEATS portal, and consult the government’s Visa & Immigration page for general policy context. (Bahamas BEATS)

Duration and renewals

  • Initial validity: 12 months.
  • Renewal: can be extended annually up to three years (subject to continued eligibility and payment). See How it works for process and timing. (Bahamas BEATS)

Main requirements

While BEATS does not publish a fixed income threshold, applicants must demonstrate the ability to support themselves during their stay and maintain employment or studies with a foreign entity, plus international health insurance, a valid passport, and a clean police record. Confirm details and any updates in the FAQs. (Bahamas BEATS)

Step-by-step application

  1. Apply online via the BEATS portal (application flow described in How it works).
  2. Upload documents: proof of remote work or online study (with a foreign employer/school), proof of funds, health insurance, passport bio page, and police record. See FAQs for the latest list.
  3. Pay the fees: USD 25 non-refundable application processing fee; upon approval, USD 1,000 per applicant and USD 500 per dependent (students: USD 500). Pay securely after your approval email; you’ll receive a QR confirmation for entry. Processing is typically ~5 business days. (Bahamas BEATS)
  4. Enter The Bahamas with your approval/QR code and enjoy your extended stay.

Key advantages

  • Live and work legally across 16 major island destinations and 700+ islands and cays.
  • Strong connectivity to the U.S. and Latin America; dependable infrastructure and Wi-Fi.
  • Join a growing international remote-work community. Explore the lifestyle via Working Remote. (Bahamas BEATS)


QUESTRAVEL experience

We’ve found The Bahamas is ideal for remote workers seeking a premium Caribbean base with the flexibility to extend up to three years. The two friction points are (1) total cost (application + living costs) and (2) clean documentation (proof of work/study, funds, insurance). We help clients assemble airtight files to avoid delays.

💡 Plan your move with QuesTravel Experience: book a consultation at fromquestravel.com and get a tailored checklist, timeline, and support through every BEATS step.

Updated on: 03/11/2025