Please be advised that all remaining COVID-19 protocols will cease to have the force of law from December 22nd, 2022 as the underlying Proclamation is expiring pursuant to House of Assembly Resolution No. 18/2022.

Going forward, wearing a face mask will no longer be required as a matter of law. However, certain healthcare facilities such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital may still ask persons to wear a face mask within their premises in the interest of protecting vulnerable patients.

The Ministry of Finance has announced a VAT holiday for Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 during which most goods purchased at retailers will be exempt from VAT.

Only goods which are available for immediate delivery to the customer are eligible. Therefore, goods which are not in stock do not qualify.

Motor vehicles, gasoline, LPG, diesel, guns, ammunition, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, supply of accommodation, goods on consignment and goods from wholesale distribution centres are also not eligible.

Please be advised there are two upcoming bank holidays, during which many businesses will be closed:

Christmas Day on the 25th December, 2022. ^[1]

Boxing Day on the 26th December, 2022.

^{[1] 27th December, 2022 will also be a Bank Holiday as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year.}

The Minister responsible for Energy and Business, under the powers conferred on her by Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, has increased the retail price of gasoline (petrol) to BDS $4.29 per litre.

This price adjustment is effective from Monday, November 28th, 2022.

For more information, please read S.I. 2022 No. 99.

Please be advised there is an upcoming bank holiday, during which many businesses will be closed:

Independence Day on the 30th November, 2022.

The Minister responsible for Energy and Business, under the powers conferred on him by Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, has increased the retail price of gasoline (petrol) to BDS $4.23 per litre, and the retail price of diesel to BDS $4.03 per litre.

These price adjustments are effective from Wednesday, November 9th, 2022.

For more information, please read S.I. 2022 No. 94.

The Government of Barbados announced, as at September 30th, 2022, a total of 3,935 applications have been received under the Welcome Stamp visa programme since its inception. Among the applications received, 2,493 have been approved, signifying an overall acceptance rate of 63%.

Since the last review in July 2022, a total of 151 applications were received and of which 76 were approved, signifying an acceptance rate of 50%.

The top five leading countries were the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria and India.

In July, 2021, the Remote Employment Act, 2020 was amended to allow persons on the Welcome Stamp to apply for a renewal of their visa, for a further 12 months, at a 25% discount on the visa application fee.

Persons who wish to apply for a renewal of their Welcome Stamp visa can do so by visiting the official website.^‍

The Minister responsible for Energy and Business, under the powers conferred on him by Section 3 of the Miscellaneous Controls Act, Cap. 329, has reduced the retail price of gasoline (petrol) to BDS $4.14 per litre, and the retail price of diesel to BDS $3.90 per litre.

These price adjustments are effective from Monday, October 3rd, 2022.

For more information, please read S.I. 2022 No. 83.

The Government of Barbados has announced that effective Friday, 23rd September 2022, wearing a face mask within most business establishments will no longer be compulsory.

Going forward, wearing a face mask will only be required at a hospital or healthcare facility, a doctor's office, a dental surgery, an educational establishment (e.g. a school or university), a nursery or day care facility, a prison and on a public transport vehicle (e.g. a bus or taxi).

For more information, please read S.I. 2022 No. 81.

Update: From December 22nd, 2022, wearing a face mask is no longer required as a matter of law. For more information, please read our blog post.

Effective September 23rd, 2022, the Barbados Travel Protocols have been discontinued.

Travellers are no longer required to provide evidence of their vaccination status on arrival in Barbados, nor are they required to have a COVID-19 test prior to arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.

All persons travelling to Barbados are still required to complete the online Immigration and Customs Form at travelform.gov.bb no sooner than 72 hours before their arrival. Alternatively, persons can complete the Immigration and Customs Form at the immigration kiosks on arrival in Barbados.