🧠 PLANNING & DECISION STAGE
☐ Have a proper family sit-down – make sure everyone’s emotionally and practically on board. We got the kids to write letters about what they were excited for and what freaked them out. We did the same and swapped notes a week later. Honestly, some of it was gold. Our 10-year-old said he was worried about getting kidnapped by the monkeys. Like, seriously. That was his biggest fear.
☐ We told the kids we were going for a year and would see how it went. Saying “forever” just melted their little brains. Keep it chill.
☐ Check out the Barbados Welcome Stamp: benefits, eligibility, and all that jazz. https://barbadoswelcomestamp.bb/applynow/
☐ Make sure you can actually work from Barbados. People told me I couldn’t run a construction business remotely – but guess what? We’re doing it. Don’t let dream-killers stop you.
☐ Throw together a rough budget – flights, schools, insurance, mangoes (joking… sort of). I used Numbers on my Mac. Doesn’t have to be perfect.
☐ Set your move date and book those flights. Once I did that, I flew out solo for a week of hardcore house-hunting. Total ball ache, but we found a place. Tip: get an ESIM before you land unless you want to remortgage your house to pay for phone data.
☐ Be warned: once those flights are booked, excitement kicks in… then sheer terror. That’s normal. Embrace the chaos.
🏡 SORTING OUT YOUR LIFE AT HOME
☐ Speak to estate agents to rent your place out – or stick it on Airbnb.
☐ Sell or store your car(s). We flogged ours.
☐ Cancel or redirect utilities, council tax, Netflix (tough one).
☐ Set up postal redirection or get a virtual mailbox.
☐ Ruthlessly sort your stuff – take, store, sell, donate. We made two crates. If we were crawling back in 6 months, we didn’t want to be dragging back a shipping container of regrets.
☐ Set up storage if needed.
☐ Tell your bank you’re leaving and make sure you can still access your cash.
☐ We opened USD accounts and got everyone Revolut cards – even the dog (nearly).https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=andrewg13d!JUN2-25-AR&geo-redirect
☐ Sort meds, prescriptions, and anything health-related before you go.
☐ Need to drive there? Get your international licence online. Easy peasy.
https://www.gov.bb/Visit-Barbados/visitorpermitapplication
📋 VISA & DOCUMENTATION
☐ Apply for the Welcome Stamp online. https://barbadoswelcomestamp.bb/applynow/
☐ You’ll need:
- ☐ Valid passport
- ☐ Passport photo (don’t use that one where you look hungover)
- ☐ Proof of income (around $50k+ a year)
- ☐ Health insurance (a long holiday policy will get you started)
☐ Renew nearly-expired passports – no one likes airport drama.
☐ Scan and save everything to the cloud – just in case.
🧒 SCHOOLING
☐ Research schools. Public vs private. Location.
☐ Contact schools early – spots can fill fast.
☐ Gather school reports and references (yep, even for the little ones they will be requested ).
☐ Find out when terms start and finish.
☐ Try to do visits or FaceTime chats. Even better if you can go in person.
🏠 FINDING ACCOMMODATION
☐ Research neighbourhoods – close to surf? Schools? Nightlife? Or just peace and quiet?
☐ Join local Facebook groups. They’re gold mines for insider info.
☐ Line up some viewings with agents.
☐ If possible, fly over and do a rapid-fire house hunt like I did. It’s intense – but worth it.
☐ We secured a place and I came back totally cooked – but job done.
✈️ TRAVEL & LOGISTICS
☐ Flights – book return if you can. Weirdly, one-way is often more expensive.
☐ Got pets? You’ll need:
- ☐ Pet passport
- ☐ Vet visits / You will need jabs and a lot of paper work ,we used a company which was expensive but well worth knowing our Dog was in safe hands and deal with everything. https://www.transfuranimals.com
- ☐ Import permits for Barbados
☐ Baggage – you’ll want more than the stingy airline allowance.
💻 WORK & TECH SETUP
☐ Internet is surprisingly decent.
☐ Bring the tech: laptops, chargers, backups.
☐ Get a SIM or eSIM when you land setting up phones etc when you get here is a ball ache , so start with ESIM
https://www.digicelgroup.com/bb/en/esim/tourist-esim
https://discoverflow.co/barbados/esim
☐ Let your clients or boss know you’ll be working in your boardshorts from now on.
☐ Have a plan B for power cuts or dodgy WiFi – mobile hotspot, cafés, smoke signals…
💵 FINANCES
☐ Figure out how you’ll spend money – cards, Revolut,
Sign up with my link below: https://revolut.com/referral/?referral-code=andrewg13d!JUN2-25-AR&geo-redirect
☐ Opening a local bank account? Strap in. It’s a mission.
☐ Cards WILL get blocked abroad. Tell your bank first – (When you arrive take some cash from airport cashpoint when you arrive.)
☐ Have 3–6 months of savings as a cushion – things take time to settle.
🧳 PACKING & SHIPPING
☐ Pack for your first month or so – think light clothes, chargers, swim gear, and good vibes.
☐ Need to ship stuff? We used Geest Line check website and give them a call really helpful.
☐ You’ll need a full inventory for customs – down to your last pair of pants.
🧼 FINAL TASKS
☐ Clean your house or hand it over to an agent.
☐ Double-check all your cancellations and redirects.
☐ Print hard copies of:
- ☐ Welcome Stamp approval
- ☐ Flight and housing confirmations
- ☐ School letters
- ☐ Emergency contacts
☐ Say your goodbyes (or “see you on Facetime”).
☐ Deep breath. Pack your sunnies. Head to the airport.
☐ And seriously – leave your winter jumpers behind. It’s been 27–30°C every day. You’ll never wear them again.