Citizens of Barbados and Guyana will soon be able to travel between the two countries using only national identification cards under a landmark bilateral agreement aimed at deepening Caribbean integration.
The new arrangement, which takes effect on July 1, 2026, will eliminate the need for passports for eligible Barbadian and Guyanese travelers, making regional travel easier and more affordable.
The announcement comes as both countries celebrate 60 years of political independence from Britain, with Guyana marking its Independence anniversary on May 26 and Barbados set to celebrate on November 30.
Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the initiative as a major step forward in regional cooperation and people-centered governance.
“This initiative represents another significant step forward in regional cooperation, south-south collaboration, and people-centred governance,” Mottley said in a statement issued jointly by the two governments.
“As our two nations mark 60 years of Independence, it is fitting that we take this step together. This is the kind of practical integration that Caribbean people can feel in their daily lives. It will truly make Caribbean integration a lived reality,” she added.
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali also welcomed the agreement, calling it a reflection of the close and growing partnership between the two CARICOM nations.
“As Guyana and Barbados celebrate 60 years of Independence, this initiative symbolises not only the enduring friendship between our nations, but also our shared vision for a more connected, accessible, and united Caribbean community,” Ali said.
The two governments said the arrangement represents a historic step in bilateral relations and demonstrates a shared commitment to making regional integration “more meaningful, more practical, and more accessible to ordinary Caribbean citizens.”
Officials said the move is expected to strengthen tourism, business travel, trade, cultural exchange, and family connections between the countries.
The agreement was made possible through the passage of the necessary orders by the Cabinets of both countries following collaboration among government officials, regional agencies, and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).
Both governments said additional details regarding eligibility and travel procedures will be released ahead of the July 1 implementation date.
The initiative builds on broader Caribbean Community integration efforts under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), which promotes the free movement of goods, labor, skills, and services across the region.
Last October, Barbados signed a separate free movement agreement with Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, allowing nationals of those countries to live and work indefinitely across participating states without visas or work permits.
