Caribbean Single Market
and Economy

Free movement of CARICOM nationals under the CSME is free movement for economic purposes (whether as a business person, service provider, skilled national or as a consumer).

A CARICOM national of a Member State participating in the CSME can exercise these rights in another participating Member State. This does not include The Bahamas as that Member State does not participate in the CSME.

CARICOM nationals can move to establish a business presence in another Member State—providing goods and/or services through a subsidiary, branch, agency, or new business.

A CARICOM national can also move temporarily to provide a service, with CARICOM national personnel, and has a right to stay for six months or longer if required to complete the service—no work permit needed.

A CARICOM national in one of the 13 approved skilled categories can move to seek employment with a right to indefinite stay—no work permit needed.

Finally, a CARICOM national can travel temporarily and get a definite stay of 6 months without permission to work—visiting as a tourist, exploring business or job opportunities, consuming health or other services.

The Contingent Rights Protocol provides additional rights. For further details, see the FAQ on the Protocol on Contingent Rights.

This type of free movement expands what is offered under the CSME. It is available to all CARICOM nationals of any age of the participating countries and allows those nationals to move for any legitimate purpose including economic purposes and leisure and remain indefinitely.

• Caribbean Community Act
• Caribbean Community Skilled Nationals Act
• Immigration Act
• Barbados Accreditation Council Act

Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have all decided to take advantage of the changes to the Revised Treaty to allow a group of Member States, with the agreement of the Conference of Heads of Government, to deepen their cooperation. All citizens of these countries have the right to move, reside and work (without the need for a work permit or CSME skills certificate) in any of these Member States.

CARICOM Nationals from these four countries can enter, leave, re-enter, live, work without the need for a work permit or CSME skills certificate and can benefit from certain health and education services in any of the four participating countries. A participating country can refuse entry or remove a CARICOM national if that national poses a threat or is a burden on the public purse.

Not immediately. The Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation allows a subset of countries to proceed first, with others joining once they are ready.

You will remain subject to that country's national immigration laws, including any applicable entry or residency requirements.

Family members of CARICOM Nationals can accompany the CARICOM National of a participating country who has moved to another participating country. Family members include a spouse, unmarried children under the age of 18, unmarried children under the age of 25 attending school or university full-time, or over the age of 18 years who, due to disability, is wholly dependent on a principal beneficiary, and parents who are wholly dependent on the CARICOM national.

You have access to primary healthcare, primary and secondary education, national insurance benefits and other social services on the same basis as that provided to nationals of the receiving Member State.

Yes. Once registered, you will be accorded the same treatment as nationals of the host country with respect to most public services, including:

• Access to healthcare
• Enrollment in public schools
• Social security (subject to eligibility and contributions)

Yes. Nationals of participating countries may apply for jobs, establish businesses, or provide services without a work permit or skills certificate. Please note that some employers may still require a police certificate of character.

You will not require a residency permit, but you must register your presence with the relevant agency in the host country. Proof of identity, financial means, and a police record may also be requested.

Yes. Under the right of establishment, you may:

• Establish and operate a business
• Provide services
• Engage in self-employment under the same conditions as nationals of the host country

A passport remains the standard travel document. However, within participating OECS countries, a valid national ID card may also be used to facilitate travel between member states.

You may be required to present:

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Student records (where applicable)
• Immunisation card (where applicable)

Yes. Nationals already residing in a participating country must register with the relevant authority in that country to benefit from the new framework.

Yes. A CARICOM national can be denied entry or can be deported or removed from a participating country if an assessment is made that the CARICOM national (i) poses a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to public safety, public order, public morals or public health; or (ii) is likely to be, or has become, a charge on the public purse.

Yes. The CARICOM Complaints Procedure adopted by the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government can be used for any complaint arising out of an experience a CARICOM national may have had seeking to exercise his/her rights in the CSME, whether the experience(s) is at a port of entry, after entry or both. This procedure can also be used where a CARICOM national of a participating country has an experience exercising rights under enhanced cooperation in free movement. The complaints form is to be available at the ports of entry and departure and at Ministries, Agencies and Departments responsible for administering any of the regimes.

A CARICOM national wishing to make a complaint should fill out the complaints form in hard copy or online and submit it to the CSME Focal Point in the CARICOM national's participating country, in the participating country where the CARICOM national has moved, is moving to or where the CARICOM national had the experience (if different). An investigation will be conducted.

Yes. Ministries of National Security, Immigration, and/or Foreign Affairs in each participating country will provide public education, support services, and help desks to guide citizens through the transition and ensure they understand their rights and obligations.

The Ministry of National Security in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..