Barbados International Travel Information (2023)

FAQs

Can I travel to Barbados with less than 6 months on my passport? ›

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Barbados. No visa is needed for stays up to 6 months. NOTE: Generally, all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Barbados, as well as proof of anticipated departure from Barbados.

Do I need to have the app installed on my smart phone/device? All travellers are required to have BIMSafe installed on their phone. Doing so before you travel, completing the online ED for and uploading your PCR test in advance will expedite your screening on arrival.

All Barbados visitors must have a passport and valid return or onward ticket in order to be allowed entry to the island. Most countries do not require a visa to visit Barbados, but it is always best to check with the immigration office ahead of time. Barbados has a good public transportation system.

Check your passport is valid for the dates you're travelling

You'll need to renew your passport if either: there's less than 3 months left on your passport when you travel - check your passport to find out when it expires.

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay, but if you have less than six months validity it may take longer to pass through immigration control.

Passport, Travel Visa and National ID Card

Proper identification is the foundation of international travel. As a result, you should ensure to always have an official identification document with you. You can even consider having multiple documents such as your passport, national ID card or driver's licence.

For visiting the Caribbean islands, a passport is required and it needs to be valid for travel. You may also require a visa for the Caribbean islands, depending upon the country of issue of your passport. You must check to be sure “do I need a visa” to enter my destination country.

Illegal Activities

The wearing of any form of camouflage is illegal in Barbados.Do not dress in, or carry, items made of camouflage material. Possesion and distribution of illegal drugs/narcotics is strictly prohibited. If convicted of such an offence the crime is punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both.

On the BIMsafe app homepage (click the house icon bottom left) then click on the box named Travel Form. You are advised to complete the travel form at least 24 hours before your DEPARTURE but not more than 72 hours beforehand.

Is the BIMSafe App necessary? ›

It is required for use by all travellers from High- and Medium-Risk countries and has a number of features to improve your travel experience: Up-to-date quick guide for current travel protocols.

Download the App prior to your trip to Barbados from Google Play and the Apple Store. BIMSafe will allow you to complete your online ED form, upload your negative COVID-19 PCR test result and complete your health questionnaire, all from one centralised place.

The best time to visit Barbados is between January and April when rainfall is at its lowest and there is plenty of sunshine with temperatures around 29 °C.

The Barbados dollar (BD$) is the local currency in Barbados and is tied in value to the US dollar. It is advisable to exchange currency at the bank, as the most favourable exchange rates may not be obtained elsewhere. Many establishments will accept payments in US Dollars with change being given in local currency.

Almost all the shops and restaurants accept payment by US dollars and they are usually delighted to do so as dollars are in short supply on the islands. Most places also accept credit or debit cards, although there may be a small charge for using credit cards.

No, you can't travel back to your country on an expired passport if your passport expires while you're away. In fact, if your passport is due to expire before the return flight to your country, you won't be allowed to enter the country that you're visiting in the first place.

As a general rule, passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the traveler will exit the United States.

You can still travel internationally with just a month or two left on your passport before the expiration date.

Passports must be: Valid for at least 6 months after the date you enter a foreign country. Kept in good condition, free of any damage beyond normal wear and tear, and material alterations. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered."

The six-month validity passport rule is a requirement of other countries accepting foreign travelers. The six- month passport validity rule is enforced because nations do not want to risk having travelers and tourists overstaying their passport validity.

What countries require passport 6 months? ›

Some countries that apply the six-month passport validity include primarily Asian countries, like China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. A handful of countries in South America also use the six-month passport validity. These South American countries include Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil.

You must present an acceptable ID, such as a valid passport, state-issued enhanced driver's license or U.S. military ID, to fly within the U.S. You will not be allowed to fly if your identity cannot be verified. Review the complete list of acceptable identification.

Visa-free countries with the Caribbean passport

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, and St Kitts and Nevis travel freely to more than 140 countries. The list of visa-free destinations includes the EU states, the UK, and Singapore.

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...

Currency restrictions

The import of local currency is unlimited but amounts of over BDS$10,000 must be declared on arrival. The export of local currency is prohibited.

Customs -- Most items for personal use (within reason, of course) are allowed into Barbados, except agricultural products and firearms. You can bring in perfume for your use if it's not for sale. You're also allowed a carton of cigarettes and a liter of liquor.

The potable water supply in Barbados is safe and meets the standards of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) drinking water guidelines.

How far in advance do you need to submit ArriveCAN? ›

All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada and/or before boarding a plane or cruise ship destined for Canada, including: contact and travel information.

Advance CBSA Declaration: Submit your customs and immigration declaration. Get started with your declaration up to 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in Canada at one of the following international airports: Vancouver international airport (YVR) Toronto Pearson international airport (YYZ) (Terminals 1 and 3)

When should I fill in my information on ArriveCAN? You'll need to submit your information through ArriveCAN within 72 hours (or three days) before your arrival in Canada. However, you can create an ArriveCAN account or download and register on the app in advance.

If you're a Canadian who shows up at the border, and say you haven't filled out ArriveCAN (and don't intend to), the Canada Border Services Agency has the authority to order you into 14-day quarantine.

This can be accessed by clicking on the “Online ED” button on the home screen or visiting https://travelform.gov.bb Page 3 3. Once you have your Travel Code, Click “Connect” to enter. If not every person in your party has a device, you can set up multiple people on one device.

Travel in Barbados

The Government's COVID-19 protocols may be subject to change at short notice and you should therefore review these regularly. In moving around Barbados, although mask wearing is now optional, many still follow social distancing protocols.

Go to https://travelform.gov.bb/home. Review the information on screen, check the box “Complete New Immigration/Customs Form”, and click “Continue”. Advise that you are entering Barbados by sea. The rest of the form will then appear.

The National Cultural Foundation of Barbados says that "Bim" was a word commonly used by slaves, and that it derives from the Igbo term bém from bé mụ́ meaning "my home, kindred, kind"; the Igbo phoneme [e] in the Igbo orthography is very close to /ɪ/.

Is 1 week enough in Barbados? ›

How long do you need in Barbados? It's never enough time to spend in paradise. Barbados in a week is the perfect time to explore the island, enjoy local traditions and have the best time on the beach. The ideal plan is to visit Barbados between 5 and 7 days.

If you're heading to Barbados, the primary things to keep your eye out for are pickpockets in Bridgetown, as well as the areas around Swan and Broad Streets and St Lawrence Gap. Additionally, LGBTQ+ travelers should be aware of the country's existing laws against homosexuality.

Avoid wearing any scent or perfume. Keep your swimwear for the beach, beach bars and hotel pools. There are a number of up-market restaurants where the dress code is super smart – so you might like to include a smarter outfit. Do not wear or carry any army/combat type clothing or print, as this is illegal in Barbados.

A service charge of between 10 and 15 percent is typically added to your bill at hotels and restaurants. Once this appears on your bill, any additional tipping is at your discretion and should reflect the quality of service you received. The standard rate of tipping in Barbados is approx. 10%.

Bring light clothes suitable for the tropics - loose tops, shorts & dresses for the ladies, shorts and polos for the guys. Cotton dresses and light jackets for formal wear. Some restaurants do have a dress code plus it's nice to dress up sometimes even when on holiday!

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Barbados.

First, check the current validity of your passport.

All travelers will need a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure date from Barbados.

Yes, you will be denied entry abroad if your passport is about to expire. Additionally, if you need a visa, you won't receive one with a passport with a validity of less than six (sometimes three) months. For this reason, you have to make sure that your passport is up-to-date before you travel.

PASSPORT VALIDITY: Three (3) months validity required upon entry. BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: Two pages are required for entry stamp.

Can I travel back to my country if my passport expired 1 month before the expiration date? ›

No, you can't travel back to your country on an expired passport if your passport expires while you're away. In fact, if your passport is due to expire before the return flight to your country, you won't be allowed to enter the country that you're visiting in the first place.

As a general rule, passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the traveler will exit the United States.

If your passport expires in six months or less, you may need a new one. Some foreign governments need visitors to carry passports with at least six months validity (beyond their planned stay) or they may be refused entry.

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check our Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.

Checking passport validity

Countries require you to have a minimum amount of time left on your passport. How much time you need left on your passport depends on the country you're visiting, though it is often between three to six months.

How long must my passport be valid for international travel? Most countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires sooner than that, you must apply to renew your passport.

Answer: Your passport is valid until the date of expiration. The only problem may be the entry requirements of the country or countries you plan to visit. Many countries require your passport have 3 to 6 months validity remaining before they will allow you to enter or issue a travel visa.

If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel. Passports must be: Valid for at least 6 months after the date you enter a foreign country.

Some Caribbean countries—Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Barths, St. Martin (but not Dutch St. Maarten), and Trinidad & Tobago—will require you to have a passport to enter or exit.

U.S. Citizen's sailing with their U.S. Passport book must ensure that it is valid at least 6 months after your cruise.