Visa-free travel to Barbados

Planning a visit to sunny Barbados? See whether you need a visa, and long you can stay on island.

Citizens of the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic must obtain an entry visa before travelling to Barbados.


This article is for foreign nationals travelling to Barbados. If you are a Barbadian travelling overseas, see list of visa-free destinations for Barbadians.


Most foreign nationals can visit Barbados for tourism purposes without needing to apply for a visa first. However, the length of time an eligible foreign national can stay in Barbados as a visitor depends on their nationality.

Who is eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados

Citizens of countries within the Caribbean Community, except the Republic of Haiti, [1] are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to six months in aggregate per year.

Citizens of countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, except Papua New Guinea, [2] are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to six months in aggregate within a one year period. For citizens of Commonwealth countries within the European Union, the maximum period of stay is three months in aggregate within a six month period. For citizens of the Gabonese Republic and the Togolese Republic, the maximum period of stay is 90 days in aggregate per year. For citizens of the Republic of India, the maximum period of stay is 30 days in aggregate per year.

Citizens of countries within the European Union are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to three months in aggregate within a six month period. For citizens of the French Republic and the Republic of Ireland, the maximum period of stay is six months in aggregate per year.

Citizens of the Republic of Panama are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to 90 days in aggregate per year.

Citizens of the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the United States of America are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to six months in aggregate per year.

Citizens of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the United Mexican States, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Cuba, the Republic of Peru and the Russian Federation are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to 28 days in aggregate per year.

Citizens of the People's Republic of China are eligible for visa-free travel to Barbados and may stay as a visitor for up to 30 days in aggregate per year. This also applies to citizens of the People's Republic of China with a passport issued by the Macao or Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions.


You must obtain an entry visa before travelling to Barbados if you are a citizen of any country or territory listed here.


Complete the immigration form before arrival

You should complete the Immigration and Customs Form online at travelform.gov.bb within 72 hours of your arrival. This service is provided free of charge by the Government of Barbados. Avoid using third party websites to complete the form.

If you do not want to complete the online form, you may also complete the Immigration and Customs Form at the immigration kiosks on arrival in Barbados.

The requirement to complete the immigration form also applies to citizens and residents of Barbados.

What length of stay will be granted on entry

Foreign nationals who are allowed to stay in Barbados as a visitor for more than three months a year are usually granted an initial period of three months on entry, except for Caribbean Community nationals which are typically granted six months.

If you want to extend your stay, you will need to apply for an Extension of Stay with the Immigration Department before your current entry period expires. There is a non-refundable application fee of BBD $100. It is not usually possible to get permission to stay as a visitor beyond the maximum length permitted for your nationality unless there is an exceptional reason that prevents your onward travel.

You may see information online suggesting you can leave Barbados and return a few months later, known as a 'visa run'. Don't consider doing this. It is against the law to overstay the maximum aggregate entry period. You may be prosecuted and/or deported if you are found to be in breach of immigration law.

Working in Barbados while on holiday

It is against the law to work in Barbados as a visitor. However, you may perform work remotely for your overseas employer or client while on vacation if it is incidental to your holiday in Barbados and not the main purpose of your visit.

If you work remotely or in a location-independent manner, learn more about the Welcome Stamp visa if you want to stay beyond the maximum entry period or if the main purpose of your visit to Barbados is to work remotely for your overseas employer or client.

[1] An entry visa is required for citizens of the Republic of Haiti unless they have a Welcome Stamp visa, or an official and diplomatic passport; or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; or permanent residency in the United States of America, Canada, or a country within the Schengen Area.

[2] An entry visa is required for citizens of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea unless they have a Welcome Stamp visa.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you may be denied entry if you do not furnish a valid return ticket on arrival.

This does not apply to foreign nationals on the Welcome Stamp visa or with a foreign passport stating Barbados as their place of birth.

It is usually three months, but if you are not sure, please contact the Immigration Department after you arrive.

Please call the Barbados Light & Power Company at +1 (246) 626-9000.

If you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb, reach out to your reception team or host for general assistance.

In the event a power outage has created or is about to create a life threatening emergency, call the emergency services.

All persons travelling to Barbados are required to complete the online Immigration and Customs Form at travelform.gov.bb no sooner than 72 hours before their arrival.

The Immigration and Customs Form has a section which asks passengers how long they intend to stay in Barbados. This question is intended primarily for visitors to Barbados. If you are a returning resident and intend to stay on island for more than one year, you can just input 365 as the number of days.

If you are experiencing any difficulties or do not wish to use the online system, this will not affect your travel plans. You can also complete the Immigration and Customs Form at the immigration kiosks on arrival in Barbados.

No, all remaining travel protocols were discontinued on September 23rd, 2022.

People in Barbados are not as tolerant towards homosexuality, but attitudes are slowly changing. You may wish to avoid showing public displays of affection as it may trigger inappropriate remarks from others.

Barbados is heavily dependent on tourism and most same-sex couples have no issues with hotels and other businesses that serve tourists. Many same-sex couples are regular visitors to Barbados.

Generally speaking, it is always a good time to visit the Island.

There are two distinct seasons in Barbados – a dry season and a wet season. You will struggle to find a day where it is not sunny, even after heavy downpours or during the odd day when it is overcast.

While it still rains during the dry season, it does not rain as much or as often as it does during the wet season. The weather is generally more predictable during the dry season.

The temperature varies only slightly throughout the year but the difference is very noticeable between the two seasons because it is less humid during the dry season.

If you are a budget-conscious traveller, you may find the best rates during the wet season – also known as the hurricane season – which runs from July to October.

You may struggle to find affordable short-term rentals between December and April, which are often the busiest months for tourism in Barbados.

Barbados often experiences tropical depressions [1] during the hurricane season, but is rarely impacted by a hurricane-strength tropical cyclone because the island is outside the principle hurricane belt.

The most recent tropical cyclones to impact Barbados at hurricane-strength was Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Elsa in 2021.

[1] A tropical depression is a 'tropical cyclone' that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph or less.

You must obtain an Import Permit from the Veterinary Services Department.

Your dog or cat must be permanently identified with a microchip, and be vaccinated against rabies after the microchip has been implanted. If your dog or cat was vaccinated before being fitted with a microchip, it must be vaccinated again. Your dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies for at least thirty five (35) days before being eligible to enter Barbados.

Within thirty (30) days prior to travel, your dog must be tested for heartworm disease, unless your dog is less than six (6) months old.

Within seven (7) days prior to travel, your dog or cat must be treated against ticks and tapeworms, and undergo a veterinary examination and be issued with an Official Export Health Certificate endorsed and stamped by an official government veterinarian of the country of origin.

Please do not take the foregoing information as a complete description of the requirements to import dogs or cats. The Barbados government strictly enforce rules on the importation of pets; failure to comply is a serious offence.

You should read this guidance from the Barbados Government Information Service.

If you are importing a pet from the UK, please also read this guidance.

If you are importing a pet from Canada, please also read this guidance.

If you are importing a pet from the USA, please also read this guidance.

It is always warm in Barbados even during the winter months so you should bring a good variety of summer garments with you. It is common to see Barbadians wearing sandals (also known as flip-flops or thongs).

Any garment deemed acceptable in most western countries is likely to be acceptable in Barbados, but there are some exceptions. For example, it is against the law to wear camoflauge clothing (i.e. any garments bearing text, colours, patterns or designs associated with the military).

Please note a dress code usually applies when conducting official business. You should bring long pants (trousers) and sleeved tee-shirts if you think you'll need to enter a government building (e.g. Immigration Department). Some high-end restaurants and night clubs also enforce a similar dress code.

Avoid entering supermarkets or convenience stores either bare-back (shirtless) or wearing minimal beach attire. You may be asked to leave the premises if you enter without wearing a shirt or vest.

Yes, the water supply is safe and refreshing to drink.

Barbados is a limestone island. Most of the water supply is pumped from wells within natural coral aquifers, which is then treated with chlorine to comply with World Health Organisation standards.

Lime is naturally present in the water supply (often called 'hard water' in other countries), which some people may notice. Flouride is NOT added to the local water supply.

If you are flying with Virgin Atlantic without a return flight to your country of citizenship, Virgin Atlantic may not allow you to check-in for your flight even if you use their automated check-in kiosks (e.g. at London Heathrow). In these cases, you'll need to be checked-in manually by a Virgin Atlantic staff member when you arrive at the airport. They are usually standing near the automated check-in kiosks. If the staff member directs you to use the automated check-ins after requesting assistance, promptly tell them that you are a returning resident on a foreign passport and cannot check-in yourself. You'll need to provide evidence of your residency (e.g. Barbados ID, work permit, etc). If you are on the Welcome Stamp visa, you should present an electronic or printed copy of your visa.

Freedom of movement for CARICOM nationals is not currently recognised in Barbados. However, the Prime Minister announced on February 22, 2025 that freedom of movement for most CARICOM nationals should come into force from June 1st, 2025, but this date should not be taken as a guarantee.

Presently, CARICOM nationals must obtain permission from the Immigration Department to reside in Barbados for more than six months a year, or to work in Barbados.

If you would like to engage in employment in Barbados, even if it is on a self-employed basis, you must have a valid permit or visa that allows you to do so.

No.

Cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia is illegal in Barbados and MUST NOT be brought into the island.