Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, together with Barbados, Belize, and Dominica, are among the four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States that will begin implementing the full free movement regime on October 1st, 2025.

Under this arrangement, Vincentians will enjoy the right to enter, leave, re-enter, reside, work, and remain indefinitely in the participating Member States without the need for a work permit or residency permit.

In addition, Vincentians will have access, within the capacity of the host country, to emergency and primary health care, as well as public primary and secondary education. This represents an expansion of the benefits already available under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and will apply equally to all CARICOM nationals from the four participating countries.

This milestone decision was taken by the CARICOM Heads of Government during the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference earlier this year.

According to CARICOM, “This free movement arrangement falls within the new Enhanced Cooperation Chapter of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Under that Chapter, the Conference of CARICOM Heads can allow groups of at least three Member States to seek to advance integration among themselves where the Conference agrees that the targeted objectives cannot be attained within a reasonable period by the Community as a whole.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Consumer Affairs continues to collaborate closely with CARICOM to ensure that the necessary systems and measures are in place for the smooth commencement of full free movement for Vincentians from October 1st, 2025.

SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Consumer Affairs