GNV News　October 3, 2025

On October 1, 2025, the “Full Free Movement” regime officially began among the 4 countries of Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the Caribbean, allowing citizens to enter and leave, reside, and work indefinitely without visas, work permits, or skills certificates. It is expected to stem the brain drain to Europe and North America, and, beginning with these culturally close 4 countries, to spread as a groundbreaking initiative that deepens integration within the Caribbean Community.

Until now, under the CARICOM (*) Single Market and Economy (CSME), movement had been limited to economic activities such as those by skilled workers and travel for the purpose of establishing businesses; however, under this regime, relocation with family and travel for leisure are also possible, and spouses and children can receive basic social services such as education and healthcare. Entry may be refused or removal ordered where a person poses a serious threat to public security or public health, or is likely to become a burden on the public purse, addressing safety concerns as well. If rights are violated, it is possible to file a complaint using the CSME complaints procedure.

The launch of this regime came two days after the SVG Parliament amended the “Immigration Restriction Act” on September 29, 2025, granting stays of up to 6 months to people from Martinique and Guadeloupe, associate members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Previously, illegal employment was rampant between SVG and Barbados, but going forward people will be able to work legally. However, free movement does not apply to citizenship obtained through citizenship-by-investment (golden passport) programs that grant nationality to foreign investors in exchange for investment in the socioeconomic development of island states.

Other CARICOM states have taken a cautious stance out of concern that inflows could strain particular social services; however, under the free movement regime within the OECS that began in 2009, no specific country experienced a significant influx, and this regime is said to have been launched with relative confidence, according to reports.

(*) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is a regional integration organization comprising 15 countries in the Caribbean that promotes cooperation across economic, social, cultural, security, and other fields. The Single Market and Economy (CSME) initiative is an important framework that aims for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour within the region, and among some member states movement for skilled employment and business establishment is permitted.

Learn more about the wealthy flocking to the Caribbean, including investors → “The Caribbean at the Mercy of Billionaires”

Learn more about tax havens in the Caribbean → “Tax Havens and the Islands around the Caribbean”

Passport stamps applied upon entry to and exit from Saint Vincent (Photo: Ian Mackenzie / Flickr [CC BY 2.0])