Barbados waives visa requirements for Haitian nationals

The Mia Mottley administration has revealed that Haitians will no longer require visas to enter Barbados.

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 coming out of that Summit, was a unanimous decision that Haitian nationals would be entitled to an automatic stay of 6 months upon their arrival in any CARICOM Member State.”

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 traveling 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. -(CMC)