Overview
Announced by the Government of Montserrat on 19 January 2021, the Remote Worker Stamp lets professionals — and their partners and families — live and work remotely on the island for up to 12 months. You qualify if you work for an employer registered abroad under a contract, run a business registered abroad as a partner or shareholder, or freelance mostly for clients established abroad.
Applications are made on the Government's montserratremoteworker.com site and reviewed by Montserrat Immigration. A decision takes about seven working days (longer if documents are missing or wrong); after payment you receive a confirmation letter to show on entry. The stamp is issued on arrival and runs for 12 months from that date.
Editor's note — The stamp cannot be renewed: after 12 months you re-apply through the standard process. Fees are non-refundable and paid by credit card with the application.
Who is eligible
- Ability to work location-independently using telecommunications technology.
- An employer registered abroad (with a work contract), a business registered abroad in which you are a partner or shareholder, or freelance clients established abroad.
- Annual income above US$70,000 derived from outside Montserrat.
- Health insurance covering Montserrat (including COVID-19) for you and accompanying family.
- Passport with at least six months' validity, and a visa where required; no nationality restrictions.
Income & financial requirements
Derived from outside Montserrat; any currency equivalent.
Non-refundable, paid by credit card.
Up to three dependants; US$250 each extra.
Working days; longer if documents are missing.
The official FAQ asks for proof that annual income exceeds US$70,000 and is derived from outside Montserrat. Income in another currency is accepted if its equivalent reaches the threshold.
Costs & fees
- US$500 for a single applicant or US$750 for a family with up to three dependants, plus US$250 per additional dependant — non-refundable.
- Health insurance with Montserrat and COVID-19 cover for the whole stay.
- Items needed for your work can be listed in the application for import free of customs duties and consumption tax.
Taxes
The official FAQ is explicit: “You will not be liable to pay Montserrat Income Tax.” The stamp only covers remote work for companies and individuals not registered in Montserrat; your home-country tax obligations continue.
How to apply
Apply online
Complete the application on montserratremoteworker.com with passport, birth certificate, photo, income and insurance proof.
Pay by card
US$500 single or US$750 family; fees are non-refundable.
Decision
About seven working days; you receive a confirmation letter by email.
Arrive and start the clock
The stamp is issued on arrival and runs for 12 months.
Duration & renewal
Twelve months from arrival. There is no renewal: to stay longer you re-apply through the standard process.
Bringing family
Families apply together: US$750 covers the applicant and up to three dependants, and each extra dependant costs US$250. Each family member submits a photo, a birth certificate and a passport bio-data page.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- No Montserrat income tax
- Decisions in about a week
- No nationality restrictions
- Duty-free import of work items
Considerations
- High US$70,000 income bar
- No renewal — re-apply after 12 months
- Insurance must cover Montserrat for the whole stay