Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.  The requirement for a return ticket has been removed.

Yes, however, you have options.  Any of the following valid identification cards are also accepted:

-          Drivers licence

-          National identification card

-          Voters registration card

-          Social security card

Any citizen from any of the 7 Protocol Member States in the Economic Union does not require a work permit to work in these States. Note that all the Associate Member States do not participate in the Economic Union i.e. the BVI, Anguilla, Martinique and Guadeloupe are non-economic union members. Therefore these rights are not extended within the Associate Member States.

No, there are no requirements.

Yes, once it is a valid driver’s licence this is permitted.

You will be granted entry into the country for an indefinite period.  You will be given a stamp of ‘OECS free movement indefinite stay’ that allows you to stay and transact your personal business.

OECS citizens, their spouse, children and dependents will be granted all rights contingent to the right to the freedom of movement that includes access to social systems, labour market schemes, health and education

An OECS citizen will be denied entry in circumstances/cases where he or she poses a security risk

Yes. The OECS social security convention ensures portability and coverage of OECS citizens as they move within the economic union area.

Citizens of protocol member states are no longer required to obtain work permits to work in other Protocol Member States.

All protocol members' states are part of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and as such remain committed and are implementing their obligations under the CSME.  Member States coordinate policies and positions to better participate in the CSME.  The agreed procedures to facilitate the CSME is still applicable for non-OECS CSME member states coming into the OECS and for OECS citizens going into those member states which include Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. 

Yes. In pursuit of the objectives of the Economic Union, Member States agree to coordinate, harmonise and adopt joint and common policies in the following areas:

• Agriculture (links to website Topics)
• Tourism
• Transport and Civil Aviation
• Trade
• Education
• Human and Social Development
• Environmental Sustainability >
• Telecommunications and Information Technology
• Services

The region is aware that crime extends beyond national borders and that the only effective mechanism is closer cooperation between police forces, customs authorities, the judiciary and their competent authorities in the Member States, both directly and indirectly using the existing regional institutions, namely the Regional Security System (RSS) CARICOM IMPACS, Advance Information Passenger System (APIS) and the establishment of a harmonized border control system.

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The Revised Treaty of Basseterre secures free movement for citizens, for all citizens of protocol member states in the economic union area.  That is citizens from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  This allows citizens to live and work in these member states without restrictions and laws have been passed in all member states to give effect to this.  Citizens from protocol member states must be treated in the same manner as the national of the country to which they move.

The OECS Assembly is made up of representatives of the elected members of the Houses of Parliament and Legislatures of the Member States. Each Independent Member State of the Organisation elects five members of its Parliament to the Assembly while Non-Independent States are entitled to three members. The representatives are to come from both Government and Opposition parties in proportion to their representation in their Parliaments. Membership of the Assembly is for two years from the date on which they were elected or until the next general election for the Legislature which they represent. The Assembly considers matters referred to it by the Assembly. The Assembly has the power to review legislation passed by the Authority and regulations made by the Council of Ministers.

You would need to be issued a skilled certificate from a competent authority/government established agency in the CSME member state. The skilled certificate will need to be verified by the competent authority in the host CARICOM Member State (where you are not a citizen). These arrangements, although require some administrative procedures, allow for access to employment.

Please review the relevant Protocol or Associate Member State for their individual requirements.