Purpose Identification | ||
Expiration 10 years after issuance for individuals aged 16 and above; 5 years for citizens from the age of 5 - 15 | ||
A Barbados passport is a travel document issued to citizens of Barbados, in accordance with Citizenship Act (CAP. 186) from 1978, the Immigration Act (CAP. 190) from 1997, and the Barbados Constitution, for the purpose of facilitating international travel. It allows the bearer to travel in foreign countries and the Commonwealth of Nations, in accordance with visa requirements, and facilitates the process of securing assistance from Barbados consular officials abroad, if necessary.
Contents
- Types of passports
- Application
- Format
- Cover
- Identification page
- Passport photographs
- Passport statement
- Visa requirements for Barbadian citizens
- References
A Barbados passport is a document for valid proof of citizenship. The passport is also a Caricom passport, as Barbados is a member of the Caribbean Community. There are three types of passport booklets: regular, service, or diplomatic passports. Despite the placement of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) logo at the top of the document's cover-page, Barbados passports are issued by the Immigration Department under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, and at the Diplomatic Missions and Honorary Consulates of Barbados abroad.
Types of passports
Application
All applicants aged 16 or above are entitled to apply for a standard Barbados passport. Minors aged 15 and below may remain on their parent's passport.
Passport fees (Effective 1 December 2010)
Barbados passports may also be issued outside Barbados, for which fees vary per country.
Format
Cover
Barbados passports are dark blue in colour, with logo of CARICOM and the words CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY followed by BARBADOS inscribed on top of the booklet. The Barbados coat of arms is prominently emblazoned in the centre of the cover page, followed on the bottom by the inscription of the words PASSPORT on ordinary passports, and DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT on diplomatic passports.
Identification page
The following information is printed on the identification page, in: English, French, and Spanish.
Passport photographs
The standards are:
Passport statement
Barbados passports contain on their inside cover the following words in English only:
Visa requirements for Barbadian citizens
According to the 2013 Visa Restrictions Index, the Barbados passport was ranked no. 22 in travel freedom and visa-free access. Barbados was placed after The United States (no. 2), Canada (no. 4), Argentina (no. 18), Brazil (no. 19), and Chile (no. 21) in The Americas. The Barbados passport also ranks, jointly with the Bahamas passport, 1st among CARICOM passport holders that enjoy travel freedom and visa-free access.
Holders of a Barbados passport may travel without a visa, or receive a visa upon arrival, to many other countries. As of 28 May 2009, Barbados signed a short-stay visa waiver agreement with the European Union. The agreement allows citizens of Barbados to visit the countries of Europe who are members of the Schengen Area for up to three months in any six-month period without a visa. Similarly, citizens of Europe (who countries are members of the Schengen Area) will be able to visit Barbados for the same period without a visa.