By hipolito
Copyright greaterbelize
Free Movement Begins: Belize Issues First Indefinite Stay
Belize has marked a historic milestone in regional integration today, welcoming the first national from a CARICOM partner country, Barbados, to be granted Indefinite Stay under the new CARICOM Free Movement of Persons Agreement. The move allows citizens from participating countries to live and work in Belize without restrictions, strengthening ties across the Caribbean.
Starting today, citizens of Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can now move freely between these countries. No work permits or residency permits are required, and they will have access to basic healthcare and public education for their children.
Tricia Gideon, Deputy Director General at the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, highlighted the significance of the new arrangement. “Full free movement means there won’t be any restrictions. This has been a dream for the region for years. Four member states have now agreed to remove restrictions fully, and individuals will receive six months automatic upon arrival, with access to key resources,” she said.
Upon arrival in Belize, citizens from the participating countries will receive an Indefinite Stay stamp in their passports. Immigration will record all relevant information, and recipients will gain access to social security cards, healthcare, education, and other social services. Belizeans traveling to these countries will have similar rights, without the need for student visas or skills certificates, though a skills certificate may still be required for countries not yet part of this process.
Gideon emphasized that families relocating should bring the necessary documents to ensure seamless access to education and healthcare. “For school enrollment, bring report cards, transcripts, and learning outcomes so children can be placed correctly. For healthcare, bring medical records to ensure continuity of care,” she advised.
