Immigration to Barbados
Encyclopedia
In more recent history Barbados
comparatively is experiencing increased levels of immigration
than some of its nearby neighbours in the Caribbean
region.
The British that first landed in Barbados recorded that there were no persons living in Barbados at the time of landing at James Town
in the 17th century.
The British Government next sent large numbers of persons from Scotland
to the island, many were indentured servants sent in order to work off or settle debts owed to the British Government.
In the years that followed, Jewish migrants from the then Dutch
controlled areas of modern-day Brazil
sought safe passage to Barbados.
As the Jewish community brought their advanced agricultural technology to Barbados, plantations boomed with introduction of Sugar cane. This led to large groups of African people
being brought to Barbados as slaves. Large numbers of African descendants began to outnumber the Europeans, whom were represented by large numbers of Irish people
from Ireland
was then under British rule.
Some European immigration came to Barbados in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries: the French
, Germans
, Greeks
, Italians, Portuguese
and Russians
escaped the Soviet government among them.
In the years that followed groups of East Indians
, Europeans, and a small community of Asians and Middle Easterners (Lebanese
and Syria
ns) developed their own communities in Barbados in the late 20th century.
can travel directly to Barbados with acceptable proof of nationality
and identity (a valid passport from their country and/or original birth certificate with national photo identification) and may be admitted for a period not exceeding three months. All visitors are required to have onward or return tickets.
Recent information from the Immigration Department indicates that CARICOM skilled nationals are required to arrive in Barbados with return airline tickets until they have been formally registered with the Immigration Department as such. The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete, and includes submitting to the Immigration Department a registration form (available at the Immigration Department or at the BIDC), along with the following documentation:
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
comparatively is experiencing increased levels of immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
than some of its nearby neighbours in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
region.
The British that first landed in Barbados recorded that there were no persons living in Barbados at the time of landing at James Town
Holetown
Holetown , is a small town located in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. Holetown is located in the parish of Saint James on the sheltered west coast of the island.-History:...
in the 17th century.
The British Government next sent large numbers of persons from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to the island, many were indentured servants sent in order to work off or settle debts owed to the British Government.
In the years that followed, Jewish migrants from the then Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
controlled areas of modern-day Brazil
Dutch Brazil
Dutch Brazil, also known as New Holland, was the northern portion of Brazil, ruled by the Dutch during the Dutch colonization of the Americas between 1630 and 1654...
sought safe passage to Barbados.
As the Jewish community brought their advanced agricultural technology to Barbados, plantations boomed with introduction of Sugar cane. This led to large groups of African people
African people
African people refers to natives, inhabitants, or citizen of Africa and to people of African descent.-Etymology:Many etymological hypotheses that have been postulated for the ancient name "Africa":...
being brought to Barbados as slaves. Large numbers of African descendants began to outnumber the Europeans, whom were represented by large numbers of Irish people
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was then under British rule.
Some European immigration came to Barbados in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries: the French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
, Italians, Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
and Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
escaped the Soviet government among them.
In the years that followed groups of East Indians
South Asian ethnic groups
The ethno-linguistic composition of the population of South Asia, that is the nations of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka is highly diverse. The majority of the population fall within two large Linguistic groups, Indo-Aryan and Dravidian.These groups are further...
, Europeans, and a small community of Asians and Middle Easterners (Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
ns) developed their own communities in Barbados in the late 20th century.
Travel to Barbados
Nationals of CARICOM member states, the USA, Canada, the UK, and some Commonwealth countriesCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
can travel directly to Barbados with acceptable proof of nationality
Nationality
Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state, usually determined by their citizenship, but sometimes by ethnicity or place of residence, or based on their sense of national identity....
and identity (a valid passport from their country and/or original birth certificate with national photo identification) and may be admitted for a period not exceeding three months. All visitors are required to have onward or return tickets.
Recent information from the Immigration Department indicates that CARICOM skilled nationals are required to arrive in Barbados with return airline tickets until they have been formally registered with the Immigration Department as such. The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete, and includes submitting to the Immigration Department a registration form (available at the Immigration Department or at the BIDC), along with the following documentation:
- Four photographs
- Police certificate of character (from home country)
- Birth certificate
- Documentary proof of qualifications
- Letter from employer, where applicable
- Document certifying citizenship by descent, where necessary
External links
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados - Frequently Asked Questions
- Comprehensive Review of Immigration Policy and Proposals for Legislative Reform (Green PaperGreen paperIn the Commonwealth, the Republic of Ireland and the United States a green paper is a tentative government report of a proposal without any commitment to action; the first step in changing the law...
), proposed Barbados Immigration law reform - The Barbados Tourism Authority
- Visa form to Barbados