If you’re planning to work and live overseas, your essentials are never complete without a work visa. This highly coveted document serves as your entry pass to enter a foreign country and work there for a set period of time. Without a work visa, you won’t be able to push through with your job opportunity in any area.
Applying for a work visa
Various countries require different procedures for issuing work visas. Depending on your contract, you may be granted a temporary or permanent visa. The former allows you to stay for a limited timeframe. Once the validity is up, you will need to renew, given that your employer wants to extend your stay.
In most cases, the employer will apply for a work visa on your behalf. This is because they are required to contact the immigration department to get approval. Thanks to technology, you can now apply online if your schedule doesn’t permit offline application.
- Online application: Go to your embassy website and find the form for a work visa application. Fill up all required information and pay applicable fees through online channels. However, keep in mind that online visa applications may not be accepted in other countries.
- Offline application: Download your work visa application form from the embassy’s website. After you’ve filled up the details completely, send the form to the embassy of your destination country.
As you apply for your visa, you also need to secure proof of work experience and education to prove that you meet the job requirements.
Visa policies for different countries
If you’re planning to stay in Barbados or Cayman Islands, here are a few important facts you need to know.
Barbados
The government announced the ‘Barbados Welcome Stamp’ in July of 2020. Valid for 12 months, the Barbados Welcome Stamp offers visas for foreign individuals who work remotely at a company registered and operating outside of Barbados. Requirements include a passport photo and the biodata page of the passport.
- Visa fees cost $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for families.
- Visa processing takes around seven days.
- Right now, the program is very popular among US, UK, and Canadian citizens due to the low cost of living, nice climate, and relaxing island atmosphere.
Cayman Islands
- The island’s Global Citizen Concierge Program launched in October 2020. The program allows people who are employed outside to live and work in the Cayman Islands remotely.
- The program’s validity is up to 2 years.
- The Global Citizen Concierge fee for two persons is $1,469 per annum.
- The fee for each dependent is $500 per annum.
- The credit card processing fee is 7% of the total application fee.
- Requirements include proof of employment letter and household income of at least $100,000.
Who qualifies for a work visa?
Barbados
In Barbados, visa applicants must be earning at least $50,000 per annum. Also, they must secure health insurance prior to the date of application.
Applicants must be prepared to have their background checked. Most non-citizens need a work permit to be able to continue working in Barbados. However, the government gives an exception to Caribbean nationals.The Barbados Immigration Department issues permits in either of the following terms:
- Short term work permits: 11 months validity
- Long term work permits: 3 years validity
For long-term work permits, the company needs to prove to the Immigration Department that no resident or citizen can fulfill the job. Also, they need to prove that the job posting has been advertised through local channels.
Cayman Islands
People from other countries wanting to work in the Cayman Islands must apply for a work permit beforehand. This requires payment of a considerable amount of fee unless they fall within the following exemptions:
- Spouse of a Cayman national
- Surviving spouse of a Cayman national (have not remarried a non-national)
- Government employees
- Exempted Cubans
- Employees of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
- Employees of a non-profit educational, cultural, or charitable body
On the other hand, the government exempt these people from paying non-refundable repatriation fees or work-permit dependent fees:
- Licensed teachers
- Ministers of Religion
- Cayman Islands Monetary Authority employees
- Contracted Government employees
Medical Requirements
If you would be working in the Cayman Islands for longer than three months, you will need to undergo a medical examination. This includes HIV and VDRL tests. In addition, you need to submit a medical questionnaire together with other documents. The medical examination documents are valid for three years.
Amending Work Permits
You can modify your work permit if you need to add or delete dependents, change job titles, share it with a different employer, or alter the effectivity date.
If you are a parent, there are extra steps that you need to do in order to bring your children into Cayman Islands hassle-free. Basically, you need to provide the following:
- A Residency variation form (RV30) or work permit amendment form
- A passport
- An extension form (BC10)
Documents in a Foreign Language
All documents in a foreign language must be translated to English and notarized. Keep in mind that all translations completed by authorized individuals should have their signature and must not be a general letter from the submitting company or agency.
To learn more about the different schemes available, check out our report by downloading the file below.