Government’s Welcome Stamp Initiative is gaining traction with almost 900 foreign applicants approved by the Immigration Department to work remotely from Barbados for up to a year.

Home Affairs Minister, Wilfred Abrahams says there were 1,079 applications – 764 individuals and 315 families, coming mainly from the US, UK, Canada, Nigeria, and India.

He told a media briefing this morning that 60 people were refused as they were seeking employment while there were other applicants who did not fit the criteria but have skills that could benefit Barbados and have been passed on to other ministries.

Also addressing the news media was Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Lisa Cummins who explained that her ministry’s goal is to convert the professionals into actual long-term visitors.