BajanBill

Hi Guys - can anyone give an opinion on my chances of getting a work permit..

My Dad has a Barbados passport (lives in the UK and is moving back), my Uncle and Gran live on the Island. I was born in the UK and have British Passport.

We want to set up a business (Dad & I), I've been out and looked at buying a lease and are now negotiating. I run a similar business in London, its specialised and I think I am expert enough to do it on Bdos. We will employ Bajans. This is long term, we intend to settle and live on the Island.

Some forums suggest work permits are easy, others say notoriously hard to get one - you guys are the experts, can anyone throw any thoughts on this?

Appreciate any comments, cheers.

Sunniebgi

Work permits are not easy to get.. but you shouldn't need one.. you just need to put in an application for citizenship by decent. you will need to show his passport/birth certificate to get the process started.. Not sure how long it will take, nor what the procedure will be for you to start working.. that will be a question for immigration.

severl of my husbands brothers and sisters live outside of Barbados and all of their children have applied for and received Barbados Citizenship with no issues.. (obviously there are forms to fill out and information to turn in.. but it can be done.

Serendipidy

Sunnie is right thats if your father was a Barbados Citizen by birth .. i dont think "by descent" can be passed down to next generation.

If you find out you cant get citizenship then post back and i will answer your original question - although would suggest any application awaits the elections.... what dates are the elections anyone?

BajanBill

Thanks for the info guys - really appreciate this. Dad was born in Trinidad and got Bdos passport by descent because his mother was Barbadian and he grew up in Barbados. I think this may complicate matters?

Serendipidy

Bill if ya dad was born a Trini then you might be able to get trini citizenship and then that would make you a caricom citizen and they have more rights across the whole islands .. bit llike being a european citizen here. You would need to check out if you can get Bajan Citizenship via 2nd generation descent but doubt it.

Maybe give the Barbados high comission a call in london they are real helpful and might tell you what you can apply for.

If the government party under Owen Arthur is appointed after the election they are very pro the type of thing you want to do and your application would probably be a lot more successful, current government is not focussed on foreign investment (my opinon). You can setup the company as a CEO at any time - would suggest you do that anyhow regardless of what you do about your ability to be in the country and work. If then your citizenship options leave you no other choice than to apply for a 3 year work permit then you would apply as CEO of that company.

BajanBill

Really helpful info - thanks so much! I'll call the high commision here in london too.

Sunniebgi

Thanks for the correction Dipidy.. forgot the 2nd generation and didn't thing about the fact that the dad has a passport but not born in Barbados..

I agree about the Trini thing.. you should check that for sure as it will help you being allowed to stay in Barbados.

good luck.