Four CARICOM Nations, Including Belize, Launch Full Free Movement for Citizens

The decision by Belize, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in implementing “Full-Free Movement” for CARICOM nationals on October 1, ahead of the other Member States, was approved by CARICOM Heads of Government during their meeting in July 2025. This arrangement falls under the Enhanced Cooperation Protocol to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which provides for groups of at least three CARICOM Member States to pursue deeper regional integration efforts among themselves, with the option for other Member States to join later. 

This transformative agreement grants citizens of the four participating Member States the right to move, reside, work, and remain indefinitely across borders without the need for residency or work permits. Opposition Senator, Patrick Faber, Guest on the LOVE Morning Show said the UDP is supportive of the Full Free Movement. 

Patrick Faber, Opposition Senator: “But what we did condemn is the manner, almost clandestine manner in which the government has implemented this. And of course, it seems to be the practice of the government to do these things in secrecy somehow. This  particular initiative, and I shouldn’t say it’s an initiative because it’s much larger than that. This is CARICOM we are talking about. This is what we signed on to back in 1973. This was the whole purpose of this. But, and maybe I should have said this before as a precursor to all of this, the fact that there are only four countries signing on at this time says a lot. Yes, it does. If you remember, well, I suppose for you it’s remembering, for me it is what history was taught to me  that in the in the late  50s when they sought to form  the Federation of the West Indies, that it broke up because some countries felt that other countries had a greater advantage.  And in fact, one country, Jamaica, who felt that it was more advanced than the other countries, said, am out and it was then, now the famous line of the then Prime Minister of Trinidad, Eric Williams, that 10 minus 1 equals 0. Well, we are starting with 4. and all the others are not yet at that level.”

Faber called out the government of the day for not educating the masses on the effects of the Full Free Movement. 

Patrick Faber, Opposition Senator: “When you don’t prepare your citizens for regional integration, that is the problem and that is the concern that we have. In Barbados right now, where they have taken it on fully, there are major concerns in their parliament. They’re pushing an immigration reform bill that apparently allows for people who come to Barbados and stay only six months who are carry-cum-nationals to become full citizens and that is turning things on its head in Barbados.  But at least there is some discussion, there is some attempt in Barbados. When the Prime Minister, Mia Motley, came from Jamaica from the heads meeting where this was finalized, she went back to Barbados, and they spoke extensively to the people. The Foreign Minister gave a press conference the minute he landed in Barbados to explain to the people what’s going to happen. All the ministries started that are concerned and are engaged, started engaging the population in those countries.”

He spoke of what the Full Free Movement will mean and how it will impact all Belizeans.

Patrick Faber, Opposition Senator: “The Government of Belize then has agreed that it will provide just as it does for its citizens. Or maybe I should say, just as it should do for its citizens, provide health care, provide education services, and allow for them to work in our industries and  in our  labor force here in Belize.”

LOVE newsroom made contact twice with the Ministry of Immigration and left messages for CEO Santos for comment on the full free movement but we’re yet to hear back.