Barbados relaxes visa requirements for Haitians

The Barbados government says Haitians will no longer require visas to enter the island.

A government statement said that the position is in keeping with the “unanimous decision” taken during the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit held in Jamaica in July.

Also automatic 6-month stay

“Also coming out of that Summit, was a unanimous decision that Haitian nationals would be entitled to an automatic stay of six months upon their arrival in any CARICOM Member State.”

Must have sufficient financial resources

But the statement said that it was noted, however, that in accordance with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and the Caribbean Community Law, CARICOM nationals travelling to other member states must possess sufficient financial resources to adequately maintain themselves without becoming a charge on public funds.

Despite being part of the 15-member CARICOM grouping, Haitian nationals in the past had to obtain a visa to enter several of the CARICOM countries.

The statement said that Barbados Ambassador designate to CARICOM, David Commisiong will hold a news conference on Tuesday “ to discuss and provide a status report on the outcomes” of the CARICOM summit.