Belize registers 54 CARICOM nationals under the Free Movement regime

Since the launch of the Free Movement Regime among Belize, Dominica, Barbados, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize has registered a total of 54 nationals who have been granted a free movement stamp upon entry.  According to Lawrence Thompson, Director of Border Control and Immigration, immigration officers across the country have found the process to be smooth and manageable, with clear guidelines in place to facilitate eligible CARICOM nationals. Thompson noted that officers were adequately prepared for the rollout of the regime and have been able to process applicants efficiently while maintaining standard border security checks.

Lawrence Thompson, Director of Border Management and Immigration Services: “We have 54, our statistics is telling us that we have 54 indefinite stay-free movement persons who accepted the indefinite stay-free movement. Majority of them are from the Barbados. Majority of them, I don’t have the quantity breakdown. I only have the total sum, but the majority of them are from that island. So far, well, you have some individuals who do not want the indefinite stay. And so, you know, it’s not something that you, you know, you come in and that’s available for you. If you want it you, you can get it, you know? Some people might choose not to for whatever reason. But the experience that I’ve gotten from the front line is that there has been no issues with Caribbean nationals that are part of this free movement program. Most of the individuals who got these indefinite stay based on statistics are for the purpose of their visit was business. And so I guess it benefits them to be able to get their Social Security card and get their bank accounts together and so on and establish business or at least can operate within Belize with those facilities’ approval.”

Thompson further explained that the majority of those registered to date are Barbadian nationals, reflecting early interest and uptake from Barbados since the regime came into effect.  The Free Movement Regime forms part of wider CARICOM efforts to promote regional integration by allowing participating nationals to move more freely for work, business, and residence, subject to agreed conditions. Immigration officials say monitoring and data collection will continue as the initiative expands and more nationals take advantage of the arrangement.