Imigration
#16
Re: Imigration
Exactly - and if you were looking at staying for a long time (i.e. years), you might fall into the group that is really looking for permanent residency.
The "leaving the island for a day" thing might work better for people who come for a short visit, leave to visit another island, then come back for another short visit (but who are ultimately leaving). I am not sure how many times you could do that in a row before they caught on.
I think if you're looking at 6-month stay after 6-month stay, you're into the category of people looking for residency of some sort. You may want to talk to Immigration directly about that, as the policies and procedures have changed recently (as Dips and others have pointed out).
My apologies if I have led anyone astray.
The "leaving the island for a day" thing might work better for people who come for a short visit, leave to visit another island, then come back for another short visit (but who are ultimately leaving). I am not sure how many times you could do that in a row before they caught on.
I think if you're looking at 6-month stay after 6-month stay, you're into the category of people looking for residency of some sort. You may want to talk to Immigration directly about that, as the policies and procedures have changed recently (as Dips and others have pointed out).
My apologies if I have led anyone astray.
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 63
Re: Imigration
So how would it be for me if we decided to move to Barbados in the next few months?
I am married to a Bajan (22 years) and my citizen paperwork for citizenship has been in the system for 2 years now. Would I need to get my passport stamped every 30 days?
L
I am married to a Bajan (22 years) and my citizen paperwork for citizenship has been in the system for 2 years now. Would I need to get my passport stamped every 30 days?
L
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 25
Re: Imigration
On entering the country they will give you 30 days and then after the 30 days you will then ask for an extension of 6 months and state on your extension form that you are still waiting for your citizenship application to go thru, infact thats what I used to do , I extended my stay every time by 6 months , even if you ask for more months, they usually give 6 months, I once tried to ask for a year and they gave me 6 months. You dont even have to leave the island, as long as they have checked and seen your application on the system.
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 63
Re: Imigration
Ok thanks for that.
I guess there will be a charge each time I have an extention granted?
I guess there will be a charge each time I have an extention granted?
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 30
Re: Imigration
Sorry to join this conversation half way through, but would really like to get some current immigration info. as I can't seem to find anything through other websites. I am hoping to move to Barbados in Sept. The plan is to send my 6 year old daughter to a private school on the island and initially rent a house, possibly with a view to buying at a later date. My wife would be at home looking after our daughter, and I would be away for 2 weeks a month working in the UK. Therefore neither of us would want to work on the island and we were therefore thinking of using tourist visas to come in, for a max. period of 4 months continuously, and probably about 9-10 months per year aggregate. Basically we would be living there but not working. Do you think it would be the same as in the usa where this would work for a couple of years but then the immigration officer would deny you entry, or are the authorities not worried about you living there as long as you didn't try to work? Also would my daughter be able to get a student visa without my wife or I being permanent residents of Barbados? All of these questions have arisen recently as we heard that it was very difficult to obtain a permanent residency visa for Barbados. Sorry for the long and rather specialised question, however any help would be great. Thanks
#22
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Barbados
Posts: 906
Re: Imigration
Hi 747
Basically the immigration situation for visitors at the moment in Barbados is a joke. I am constantly hearing of long term visitors being "asked to leave". Its such short term thinking because thiey generate a lot of income.
In answer to your question re time of visit basically if you come too often (i think more than 3 months in a 12 month period would be a guess at too often) your gonna likely be in for some interrogation at immigration and asked a lot of questions. A lot has changed in Barbados in the last 12 months and because of the opening of the Caricom borders so to speak they are experiencing higher influxes of people staying for long periods of time. Couple this with a predicted shortage in water and energy and the ""new" gov aint tolerating long term visitors very well. The problem is that there is no rule of thumb i know pensioners who dont get asked a thing but then there is someone i just heard of who has been coming and going for 2 years to build their house - they just finished and were told to go home and when said wat bout my property the answer was sell it. Immigration actually told me "this aint your home so go home" - even tho i had a legitimate business and right to be on the island. The "powers that be" have gone crazy and i can honestly tell you that they are just not interested in long term visitors right now and it is a total lottery how long you will be tolerated for on the island. If your looking for stability to come and go ya could get lucky but you risk the instability that you might get a call from immigration who call you in and tell you to leave and you got 2 weeks to get out!
Basically the immigration situation for visitors at the moment in Barbados is a joke. I am constantly hearing of long term visitors being "asked to leave". Its such short term thinking because thiey generate a lot of income.
In answer to your question re time of visit basically if you come too often (i think more than 3 months in a 12 month period would be a guess at too often) your gonna likely be in for some interrogation at immigration and asked a lot of questions. A lot has changed in Barbados in the last 12 months and because of the opening of the Caricom borders so to speak they are experiencing higher influxes of people staying for long periods of time. Couple this with a predicted shortage in water and energy and the ""new" gov aint tolerating long term visitors very well. The problem is that there is no rule of thumb i know pensioners who dont get asked a thing but then there is someone i just heard of who has been coming and going for 2 years to build their house - they just finished and were told to go home and when said wat bout my property the answer was sell it. Immigration actually told me "this aint your home so go home" - even tho i had a legitimate business and right to be on the island. The "powers that be" have gone crazy and i can honestly tell you that they are just not interested in long term visitors right now and it is a total lottery how long you will be tolerated for on the island. If your looking for stability to come and go ya could get lucky but you risk the instability that you might get a call from immigration who call you in and tell you to leave and you got 2 weeks to get out!
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Re: Imigration
747, I think it is true to say that it's harder to get residency now, although technically the rules haven't changed.
We were given 3 years residency based on our ability to support ourselves through income from abroad, and supplied a lot of paperwork and information for Immigration when we made our application. We are not allowed to work here at all. We were extremely fortunate and didn't have any long delays or problems, possibly because we pre-empted the issues and supplied more info than they asked for. I understand that our treatment was extremely rare and people are generally having more difficulty.
It's the only real option for you, though - you need a work permit or residency to get student visas for your kids to go to school. Playing the system by using tourist visas is too risky right now, you could be booted off the island at very short notice if you're found to be living here, and given that you have a steady income and qualify for residency within the current rules, you should apply and argue your case legitimately. GET A GOOD IMMIGRATION LAWYER!
Good luck!
We were given 3 years residency based on our ability to support ourselves through income from abroad, and supplied a lot of paperwork and information for Immigration when we made our application. We are not allowed to work here at all. We were extremely fortunate and didn't have any long delays or problems, possibly because we pre-empted the issues and supplied more info than they asked for. I understand that our treatment was extremely rare and people are generally having more difficulty.
It's the only real option for you, though - you need a work permit or residency to get student visas for your kids to go to school. Playing the system by using tourist visas is too risky right now, you could be booted off the island at very short notice if you're found to be living here, and given that you have a steady income and qualify for residency within the current rules, you should apply and argue your case legitimately. GET A GOOD IMMIGRATION LAWYER!
Good luck!
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 30
Re: Imigration
Thank you very much guys for your info - it sounds far more difficult than I initially thought. By the way could you recommend a good immigration lawyer or should I just go online to find one??
Thanks
Thanks
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 385
Re: Imigration
As a wife of a citizen with your paperwork submitted they will (should) give you a 12 month stamp. You will also at some point be given a 3 yr work permit if you wish to work whilst here.
HTH
#26
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Barbados
Posts: 24
Re: Imigration
Thanks for all the replies. It sure helps be understand more about the Imigration system here.
I do have another question. My six months is coming to a end soon. I arrived on the Island on Jan 9. When is my six months up? On July 9 or can I leave any time in July? My plane ticket is for July 14.
I do have another question. My six months is coming to a end soon. I arrived on the Island on Jan 9. When is my six months up? On July 9 or can I leave any time in July? My plane ticket is for July 14.
#27
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Barbados
Posts: 906
Re: Imigration
I know immigration give a weeks lea way but at the same time i have heard of others being told they have previously overstayed. Speak to whomever isseud the 6 months and ask if an extra week is an issue that way if you are ever asked about it you can quote a name - better to be safe than sorry especially with the current immigration people as some of them are just downright evil