Belizeans Can Now Live and Work Freely in 3 More CARICOM Countries

Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are officially rolling out full free movement for their citizens starting tomorrow, October first. If you’re from any of these four countries, you can now live, work, and stay indefinitely in any of the others, no work permits, no residency permits. You’ll even have access to basic healthcare and public education for your kids. This historic move was agreed to earlier this year at a CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, and over the past few weeks, officials have been ironing out the details to make sure everything runs smoothly. Today, we spoke with Tricia Gideon, Deputy Director General at the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, about what Belizeans can expect when this new arrangement kicks in on Wednesday.

 

Tricia Gideon, Deputy Director General, Foreign Trade

“Full free movement means first for the region that there won’t be any restrictions in place. That was the dream for the region for years and tomorrow that dream is partially coming alive, because four member states, Barbados, Saint Vincent and Dominica has agreed that it is time to remove the restrictions fully, because we can move right now. You get six months automatic upon arrival and there are some resources you have access to. But tomorrow is removal of all restrictions for Belizean leaving and these nationals from Barbados, Dominica and Saint Vincent.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Can you walk us through what happens when a Belizean arrives in one of these participating countries in terms of what documentation is needed and what rights are granted?”

 

Tricia Gideon

“It will be similar to what happens here. Upon arrival all member states have agreed you will receive an indefinite stay stamp in your passport. I believe Barbados will have a registration process and it is for you to obtain their national health ID. For Belize it will be different. You won’t have to do their registration process. Immigration will obtain all your relevant information upon arrival and you will be able to access your social security card once you have that stamp, which will give you access to all the social and health services, education and health services in your country.”