chorltonred11

Hi

This is my first post and was just looking for some helpful advice re becoming a solicitor in Barbados. Is there a conversion course i would need to do or not? Also once i was ok to work there what would be the chance of gaining employment there?

I have thought about the idea of starting my own business there as a photographer/Videography with my husband as there seems to be a slight shortage on offer for the latter. Also if this is a non starter we could even buy an established business if possible.

We would be grateful for any help possible as it is our dream to live in Barbados not only because we love it but also because my husband grandad was from there!!

Thanking you in advance!!

Sunniebgi

I don't mean to sound harsh.. but there isn't a shortage of Solicitors in Barbados nor is there a shortage of photographers (maybe videographers)

While your husbands granddad might be from here, unless you have citizenship or residency, you would have to have a work permit. which, at this moment, is not an easy thing to do.

starting your own business would be good, but you would still have to apply for a work permit just to work in it. (Serendipity can answer questions about that)

I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but it's just not that easy at the moment. Unless you have an incredibly specialized field it may be difficult to get here.

pgtips

Or a whole load of dosh !!! Cash speaks a bundle in the Caribbean, though there is no shortage of wealthy residents in Barbados. Why not consider another island which is less saturated ?.

chorltonred11

Thanks for getting back to me Sunniebgi,

If my husband were to start a business in videography do you think this may get a work permit? Failing this would it be easier to buy an established business and gain a work permit for that? If so would i also be able to permit for non nationals to work as staff at the business?

Pgtips, Which island would you suggest?

Thanks

pgtips

Chorltonred11, the Caribbean is a pretty big place with lots of diverse islands.
I know St Lucia is very welcoming of foreign investors, especially if you were going to start a business and employ a couple of locals. St Lucia is slower than Barbados but it is developing very quickly especially in the North of the island and now has the second largest Marina in the Caribbean, after the Rodney Bay marina was massively expanded by an international company IGY. Quite a few expats have now made this their home or own second homes here.
I also like Grenada, but even quieter than St Lucia and even Dominica( Very Slow).

You may note from my preferences I like the moutainous lush islands. Barbados has nicer beaches and is faster paced, but the island is too flat for me.

Really it all depends on what you want from the Caribbean, because all the islands have their own special quirks. As someone mentioned earlier Barbados has really tightened up on immigration due to over saturation so you may have to keep your options open to other islands. I would say get in now because with the advent of Caricom and the free movement of qualified Caricom nationals between the islands, it may make it even harder for outsiders to settle in the Caribbean island of their choice.

Serendipidy

Anyone can set up a buisness here but to work for that business even as CEO you have to apply for a work permit. You would need medicals, bank statements (new account to be set up here and monies deposited) references, Police Character Certificates, copies of Degrees etc and so on. This costs money including lawyers and fees to immigration for your work permit on average I paid about $11kbds and can take up to a year if its all simple (thast for a 3 year work permit then the drama commences again once expired)

There is no guarantee that anyoe would get a work permit each case is based on its own merits and how it would benefit Barbados. Videography and PR and Media etc is up and coming and there are plenty of young people that over the next few years will be able to offer that service so I dont think it sounds promising.

You really have to be offering something different (Im an IT specialist in a very particular niche area and can bring business ot the island eventually)

When you say buy an established business it depends on what you mean - a bar or a hotel or something? That would take years of paperwork including the work permit so just warning you.

As someone has referred to in an island with under 300,000 people you can understand that they are VERY particular on the ability to work and live here as if not they would be in the same boat as the UK

As to could you get other non nationals employed in theory only if they fulfill the above criteria and you are willing to pay for the costs of the work permits so if it was a bar for instance then absolutely not. In fact if you are coinsidering coming here and not showing comittment to expanding and investing in the Barbadian economy and growth (ie not employing locals) then you will get no where fast.

This might not be what you really wanna here but at least its factual

Dips

sumoir

I wonder if you can tell me if I would need a work permit in Barbados, to work from home, on the internet, for a company based in the UK and paying me in the UK? This is a totally UK based company who want home workers with a broadband connection. Would this be legal or would I still need a permit?

Foxy_fromCanada

If the company is based entirely in the UK and there is no branch or anything like that in Barbados, then it's not a Barbados company and I believe Barbados' Immigration therefore has no input on that company's right to employ you.

What they do have a say in, however, is how long you get to stay in the country. You would likely be treated as a visitor, and given the usual 30 days' stamp at the airport. You have the option to apply for a Visitor's Extension in order to stay longer. But I don't think you'd be allowed to stay as a resident.

If the company was a Barbados company, and you were hired and granted a work permit, you'd be able to come and go as you please.

sumoir

Thanks for that info, it has confirmed what I thought. I do have an extension to stay here 6 months and this is my 2nd 6 month stay. I am living here with my partner and plan to apply for immigration status eventually. Working part time on the internet will make living here a lot easier. Thanks again.

shines

I would not mention to immigration you are working tbh... If your partner has status and you are married or getting married then you will be able to apply for status yourself...

I would love a job like yours, if you have any info please PM me

sumoir

Thanks for the advice. I won't be in a hurry to tell immigration, what they don't know....... Do you feel they could object? Surely what I'm doing is no different from someone coming here on holiday and bringing their laptop so they can continue the job they do in the UK. Have a look on www.peopleperhour.com. Lots of jobs posted there, that's where I found mine. Good luck!

Foxy_fromCanada

That's correct - but it means you'd likely be treated as such as well, and given a short time to stay as a visitor.

Good luck,
Foxy

sumoir

That's true. I'll just keep it to myself to be on the safe side! Hope they don't read these forums! Thanks for the advice.

Serendipidy

yeah the info given so far is bang on - i know people here working remotely but thats totally aside of their visitor status -its a shame the Barbados government doesnt recognise this status as a huge asset to Barbados and give it a separate visa entry as wat it means is that you are earning offshore money and spending it all here exactly what the economy needs.

bimbound

Chorltonred11,
Don't be discouraged. Just to let you know I have several friends from England who came down on vacation, fell in love with Barbados and joined together to purchase the guesthouse where they stayed. They put an offer in in March and were living, working, and owning property down here by that August. They are still here 5 years later although I believe they are now looking to sell the guesthouse and move on to other things. Immigration has become much stricter over this last year or so, so I doubt things would be as straightforward. But I write this to say that dont be detered in your hopes. What works for one down here doesn't always work for another, but the opposite is also true. Good luck