CARICOM Free Movement Bill Tabled in House

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca today introduced the Caribbean Community (Free Movement and Contingent Rights) Bill, 2026 in the House of Representatives, noting that since the initiative began, only two persons are currently residing in Belize on an indefinite stay while 83 individuals have entered and exited the country under the free movement mechanism.  The proposed legislation seeks to give legal effect to a decision of CARICOM Heads of Government allowing nationals of participating member states to enter, re-enter, and remain freely in Belize under the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation. The bill also establishes the legal framework governing the rights and obligations connected to that movement.  Fonseca explained that the bill stems directly from that regional agreement and will formally regulate the movement arrangements already being piloted among participating countries.

Essentially, this legislation will allow qualifying CARICOM nationals to live and remain in Belize in accordance with agreed regional rules, while providing contingent rights connected to residence and participation in economic life.