How to Work in another Caribbean Island without a Work Permit
Under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Member states commit themselves to the free movement of their nationals. This is however to be approached in phases. The following categories of skilled workers are currently free to live and work in any CARICOM Country:
- Graduates of all recognized universities in the world,
- Artists
- Musicians
- Media Workers
- Sports Personnel
- Non-graduate Teachers and Nurses
- Artisans with a Caribbean Vocational Qualification
- and holders of Associate Degrees or comparable CVQ or comparable qualification/equivalence.
Persons having any of these qualifications may apply for a certificate of recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification
Why have a Certificate?
- Holders of Skilled National Certificates are exempted from work permit requirements.
- Employers are free to employ Skilled Nationals without obtaining special approval.
- Skilled Nationals could live and work in any participating CARICOM Country indefinitely.
- Spouse and dependent relatives of skilled nationals would be entitled to move to the new country with the skilled national.
- Skilled nationals would be entitled to access to land in the host country for residential or business purposes.
Definitions of Categories that Qualify
University Graduates – University Graduates, for the purpose of free movement of skills, are persons who have obtained at least a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University.
Artistes – Artistes, for the purpose of free movement of skills are persons who are active in or qualified to enter a particular field of art with the specific purpose to earn a living.
Media Workers – Media Workers are persons whose sole source of income is derived from media and media-related work and are qualified to enter this field.
Sportspersons – Sportspersons, for the purpose of free movement of skills, are persons who are active in or qualified to enter a particular field of sports with the specific purpose of earning a living as a professional or semi-professional.
Participating CARICOM Countries include:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad & Tobago
Requirements for Applying
- Application Form
- Two passport photos
- Original Passport and copy of bio-data page
- University certificates
- Birth Certificate
- Police certificate of Character (from birth country and country of residence)
- Marriage Certificates
- Fee- $200.00EC
- Apply at the Ministry of External Affairs
Dependent Letters
Birth Certificate Police Record Marriage Certificate
Download the Application form here: