Barbados

About Barbados Citizenship and Residency

Barbados does not offer citizenship by investment and only offers a Barbados residence by investment program to foreign investors looking to relocate to the beautiful Caribbean island.

Investment options available to acquire the citizenship and passport of Barbados. 

The residency by investment visa program is called the Special Entry Permit (SEP) or Special Entry Residency Permit (SERP).

You may apply for a Special Entry Residents Permit (SERP) if you are:

– a retired property owner or

– a high net worth person employed or retired (you need to have US$ 5 million of net assets)

Four qualifying SEP groups:

• People who make an investment in Barbados of at least US $2 million from funds sourced outside of Barbados in addition to evidence of a high net worth of US$5 million or more.

There are some terms and conditions related to this:

– People over age 60 are eligible for an indefinite term SEP; there is a one-time fee of US$5,000.00.

– People between ages 50 to 60 are eligible for a 5 to 10-year SEP that is renewable as indefinite after age 60; There is a one-time fee of US$3,500 up to age 60 and a subsequent one-time fee of U$5,000 if the SEP is renewed at age 60.

– People under age 50 are eligible for a 5-year SEP that is renewable; there is a fee of US$5,000 per term up to age 60, and then renewable as indefinite after age 60 with a one-time fee of US$5,000.

– People who come to Barbados under a SEP are entitled to a work permit subject to the following fees:

People over age 60: a one-time fee of US$15,000 or annual fees of US$1,750.

People under age 60: a one-time fee of US$20,000 or annual fees of US $2,000.

– Spouses and sons or daughters under 18 or still attending university will get the same period as the person holding the SEP (evidence of university or college enrollment is required every 3 years). A spouse will have to pay a US$150 application fee plus the appropriate SEP fee mentioned above. The US$150 application fee will need to be paid for each son and daughter.

• Individuals willing to invest $2 million but lack the $5 million net worth requirement are still eligible, though they only receive a residency permit valid for 5 years.

– People who own property in Barbados with a value of at least US$300,000 are covered under this.

– There is a US$5,000 fee per adult for a renewable 5-year period.

– There is a US$150 for minor dependents (who are students) for the life of the SERP.

– Spouses and sons or daughters under 18 or still attending university will get the same period as the person holding the SEP (evidence of university or college enrollment is required every 3 years). A spouse will have to pay a US$150 application fee plus the appropriate SEP fee mentioned above. The US$150 application fee will need to be paid for each son and daughter.

– Retired property owners who are under 60 years of age qualify for a SEP that is valid until they reach 60 years of age.  At that time, the SEP must then be renewed as an indefinite Special Entry Permit that will not expire.

USD 3,500 for persons between 50 to 60 years;

USD 5,000 for persons under 50 years of age.

• People who possess special skills that the Government of Barbados deems critical to the growth and development of the country.
• Parents or Grandparents of a citizen of Barbados who are over the age of 60.
• Barbados Welcome Stamp Program:

Application criteria for the Barbados Welcome Stamp Program:

A non-national who is:

• Employed in a country other than Barbados
• Able to provide proof of an annual income of US$50,000.00 or more which is generated outside of Barbados
• In possession of valid health insurance covering the period for which the stamp is granted. Applications can be submitted on behalf of an individual applicant who will be engaging in remote work in Barbados or an individual and his/her accompanying family and dependants.

Application process for Barbados Welcome Stamp Program:

Applications may be submitted online or via a local service provider. Completed applications should be submitted together with the following supporting documents:

• The bio data page of the passport of the Applicant (and any accompanying family or dependant(s).
• The birth certificate of the Applicant (and any accompanying family or dependant(s).
• Proof of relationship between the Applicant and the dependant(s) (via submission of the afore-mentioned birth certificate(s), marriage certificate(s), adoption documents)
• Entry visa (*if the Applicant comes from a country requiring an entry visa for Barbados)

Associated cost for Barbados Welcome Stamp Program:

There is no fee due and payable on the submission of the Application. On the successful approval of the Application, individual Applicants shall pay a fee of US$2,000.00 and, where the Applicant is accompanied by his/her family, the fee will be US$3,000.00 for members of the family group.

Restrictions relating to Barbados Welcome Stamp Program:

Holders of the Barbados Welcome Stamp shall only engage in remote work and shall not engage in employment in Barbados. It should be noted that Applicants are required to declare that neither they nor any member of the family group shall accept any employment from or offer any services to a citizen, permanent resident, immigrant, work permit holder or any person or entity carrying on business in Barbados.

Issuance time for Barbados Welcome Stamp Program:

The Barbados Welcome Stamp is for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the approval. During that time, holders of the visa will be able to travel to and from Barbados at their leisure.

Citizenship by Naturalization

Those meeting the following requirements may apply for naturalization:

• resided in Barbados for 5 of the 7 years prior to applying;
• resided in Barbados all 12 months prior to applying;
• intent to reside in Barbados thereafter;
• must swear allegiance to the Queen of Barbados.

Benefits Of The Barbados Residency By Investment Program

• This permit gives you indefinite leave to live in Barbados.
• You can purchase an annual (USD $1,750) or permanent (USD $15,000 – USD $20,000) work permit.
• This permit gives you full employment rights.
• Your spouse and dependents have the same rights as you once your SEP is issued
• The residence permit is valid for five years and is renewable.
• Enables you as well as your family to obtain residency status in Barbados.

Barbados Residency Requirements And Qualifications

• Evidence of health insurance in excess of US$500,000
• Police Certificate of Character from any country in which the applicant has resided for a period of 6 months after the age of 16. Enhanced disclosure certificate in lieu of PCC for British applicants (which might include criminal record check)
• One passport-sized photo
• Certified copy of the bio- date page of the applicant’s passport
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Proof of relationship to dependants where applicable (birth certificates/legal documents etc)
• Must provide a certified statement of assets in excess of US$ 5 million.
• Must also provide evidence of investment in Barbados with a value of at least US$2m.
• Must provide proof of ownership of property in Barbados.
• Must also provide evidence that they can financially support themselves for the duration of the period granted.
• Category 1 applicants must provide a certified statement of assets in excess of US$5million. This must be certified by an auditor or broker. Applicants must also provide evidence of investment in Barbados with a value of at least US$$2m.
• Category 2 applicants must provide proof of ownership of property in Barbados. They must also provide evidence that they can financially support themselves for the duration of the period granted.

Steps And Timeline

• STEP #1: Visit Barbados Government Information Service
• STEP #2: Fill out the Barbados application form
• STEP #3: Preparing all the needed documents
• STEP #4: Filling out the necessary details
• STEP #5: Verifying the filled details and making the payment 

Visit Barbados Government Information Service for more details on the application process and to apply online.

All you have to do to fill out the Barbados application form Immigration Department. Follow three simple easy-to-do steps.

For starting the application, prepare all the documents needed. In addition to that, a negative antigen or PCR test, taken no more than 72 hours before boarding is mandatory. Keeping these documents ready before starting your Barbados application form will help the process be easier and more convenient for you. Note that all passengers, regardless of age, must provide these details.

Apply after gathering all your important documents, you can start applying. You’ll be asked about your full name, passport number, birthday, nationality, flight information, travel history, and your reason for travel. These details are very crucial to make sure that your application form is well-informed and does not get turned down. 

After filling up the form carefully check all your details to prevent errors. Then make the payment by choosing from the multiple payment options. Once you have paid for your Barbados application form, you need to remember that it will be difficult to rectify any errors in the form.

Entry requirement due to COVID 19:

The complexities and uncertainties of COVID-19 have resulted in a couple more required documents to travel to Barbados, including proof of a negative PCR test and an ED card. Learn more about this in our COVID-19 Travel Advisory to Barbados.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass our guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and to expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Barbados, assisting in getting you settled in the country and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

FAQ’s