immigration/money transfer
 

We are shortly hoping to move to Barbados for a 6 month stay. I have been told the procedure is that we will only get a 28 day stamp at the airport and to apply for an extension at the High Commission in Bridgetown. As long as we have valid passports and can prove financial viability there will be no problem. Is this the case? Also, anyone know the cheapest method of transferring £10000 from a UK account to a bank in Barbados?

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Hi Daven and welcome to the site

It is on a case by case basis there are no guarantees - it will depend on your age, who is with you, what your reasons are for staying etc - you can actually ask for 6 months at the airport and see what they give you - im guessing your return tickets are 6 months? Whatever they give you they will tell you that you can only re apply for the extension i think a week before that date runs out for the renewal - this is stressful because you dont know where you stand. I would suggest you dont use the term "move" and state you are looking for a visitors visa for 6 months. A question they are likely to ask is have you visited in the past 3-6 months before this visit.

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Thank you for your reply. A couple of points raised - we are in the 60-70 age group. We have recently been on holiday in Barbados only returning 2 weeks ago. Are these points in our favour or against us?

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

It is only my opinion based on what i have heard that your age will be in your favour whereas your recent visit might not ...however i do feel that the age issue will outweigh the recent vist as i think they only worry about this in case you have recently visited and found work and maybe coming back into the country to work which in your case they would not necessarily consider an issue... All i would say is there may well be no issues for you at all but do not consider it a foregone conclusion and be prepared if you did not get the full 6 months.

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Thanks again for your help, its much appreciated. Hopefully we'll be joining you soon.

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

When transferring funds to a bank account abroad, avoid using your bank as they offer the worst transfer rates & fees on the high street. To obtain the best rates, you are better off to use a reputable international money transfer specialist.

Most people transferring funds to Barbados send the funds in US Dollars, the Barbados bank would then convert the USD to Barbados Dollars.

The USD rate is pretty good at the moment :)

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

By the way Daven just re read your original post .. you dont get the extension at high commission (if only sigh) you have to go to downtown immigration ..again set your expectations for that it may be your most painful part of any of your trips to Barbados ..it is made unnecessarily uncomfortable but is part of the fabric of being a visitor so approach it as part of your experience rather than let it outrage you and ruin your overal vibe..be prepared to be there early and spend however long it takes..make sure you take lots of fluids lol oh an make sure your and your wife are conservatively dressed ie no shorts, tops that bare the shoulders etc...you may be told this is a place of business and to go home and dress appropriately!

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Again, thank you for your advice. I'll admit the immigration process is a bit worrying to us. We now have our air tickets (return 2 days short of 6 months). I understand we may only get a 28 day entry at the airport and then apply at Bridgetown for a 6 month extension the week before our 28 days expire (gulp!). Our intensions are to return to the UK after 6 months and then, hopefully, return to Barbados in the near future to secure a more permanent residency. Should we admit this when we're applying for our 6 months extension or do we start thye process again when we return and keep having to apply for extensions? This would also, of course, impact on our air tickets as we would ideally only want to buy a one way ticket to return but would they let us in at all without a return ticket unless we had some sort of visa clearance?

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Why dont you give the Barbados high commission in London west end (I think) a call and ask about a longer 3 year residency and what is required, this would allowe you to come and go - i think expat wannabe said she applied recently and has a house in barbados but was refused but told to keep reapplying for the visitors permit - she is a different age bracket from you tho.

Others on here who have applied for longer residency might be able to help you on reading this hopefully but if you go for the 6 month visitors visa i would suggest you get it and then ask about the future.

Dips

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Thank you very much for your help.

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

If you have an employer back home have them write a letter of your confirmed date when you have to be back at work. I dont think you should worry to much about it. If you dont get the full stay at the airport, just go to the immigration and be honest, but dont tell them more than they ask for!

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Thank you for that. We are both retired but we do have return air tickets for a 6 month return to UK so we're hoping that will suffice.

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

As long as you can proof that you are financially independent and have an accommodation, and a ticket to the UK there is no problem to extend your Visa at the immigration in Bridgetown, even in extend for up to 12 month.(Take ticket/proof of accommodation/funds to the immigration)
You bring money to the country, you are welcome, as long as you deal in a polite and friendly :) manner with the immigration department, they will give you an extension. If you arrogantly demand it :banghead:,because you think you have a right - forget it. - Respect! Enjoy your stay and don't worry.

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Sorry Blue moon but your advice is not the experience of many on this site ie that they will get no problems getting upto 12 months

Re: immigration/money transfer
 

Thanks to all for advice here. We are a bit more relaxed now that we are aware of the procedures/protocol. Looking forward to joining you soon.