Do you need a visa for Barbados? If you are planning a trip to Barbados, there are certain things you need to bear in mind, and the most important is the need for a visa. Although not every visitor requires a visa for Barbados, you can't be sure if you don't check your eligibility. Keep reading to learn about the visa policy of Barbados.
Barbados At A Glance
Barbados is a small Island in the Caribbean that boasts some of the best beaches in the region. It has remained a top tourist destination and perhaps the most popular of all the Caribbean islands. Barbados' cuisine is amazing, and so is the laid-back culture of the Island. Barbados is the perfect spot if you are looking for an isolated region free of pollution and chaotic urban life.
Do You Need A Visa For Barbados?
Many wonder whether they need a visa for Barbados, but the answer is not straightforward. This is because the government of Barbados issues visas or exempt visas based on nationality. Tourists from more than 50 countries don't need visas to enter Barbados, while others qualify for visas on arrival. Visitors not from any of the countries in both categories must apply for a visa before they begin their trip.
Visa Free Visitors
Suppose you are a citizen of the United States, United Kingdom, Caribbean nations, France, Canada, Ireland, Iceland, Uruguay, Switzerland, and many Commonwealth states. In that case, you don't need a visa to enter Barbados. The government offers free visa entry for six months. However, if you want to stay more than six months, you need a visa.
Visa-free visitors will have their passports stamped at the airport or seaport of arrival, but they must submit a valid passport and a return ticket to their home countries or countries of residence.
There is another visa free category of visitors aside from the countries mentioned above whose citizens can stay in Barbados for three months. Some enjoy 90-day stays while others enjoy 28 days visa-free stays. They include China, Japan, other European Union countries, Uruguay, Switzerland, and a few others. To be sure of your eligibility, cross check the visa free list for your country.
Barbados Visa On Arrival
This visa is issued to visitors coming to Barbados who do not have a visa, and only a selection of foreign nationals qualify for this visa. Once they land on the Island, they will be ushered to a special stand at the airport or seaport, where they will be presented with an application form. This form must be correctly filled with matching information in their passport and submitted with the same passport and an application fee. After review, the visa officer will stamp the passport with a visa sticker and allow them through the barrier.
Visa for Barbados
The third category is for visitors from non-visa-free or visa on arrival countries. These visitors must obtain visas before embarking on the trip. They are two types of tourist visas, and they have different fees.
Single Entry Visa: The single entry visa can only be used once to enter Barbados, and you can stay for 90 days. The visa costs $107
Multiple Entry Visa: This one allows you to visit several times within a six months period. If you wish to visit more than once at short notice, you should go for this one. The visa fee is $211.
Barbados Visa Requirements
The visa requirements are mandatory, and only those who meet them will get the visa. It is possible to apply in person by visiting any foreign missions abroad or mailing your documents via courier to the immigration office in the capital, Bridgetown.
The average processing time for a Barbados visa is three weeks upon receiving your documents, so we recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before you travel. Here are the documents you will need.
Completed visa application form
Passport sized photograph
Birth certificate
Marriage Certificate, where applicable
Biometric page of passport
Cover letter addressed to the Chief of Barbados Immigration
Employment letter, where applicable
Bank draft for visa fee
This who choose to mail their documents to the Barbadian immigration service should do so through FedEx, LIAT, or DHL courier services. They must also include a fully paid airway bill for their visa and passport to be returned to them.
Visa Extensions
Once you are in Barbados, you can apply for visa extensions by visiting the immigration office in Bridgetown. The officer will ask why you wish to stay for much longer and the date on your return ticket. If they agree to extend your visa, you will be asked to pay a $100 fee for the extension. However, note that paying this fee does not guarantee that your visa will be extended.