Prime Minister Mia Mottley has reaffirmed Barbados’ dedication to the Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) whereas outlining the situations below which foreigners can purchase Barbadian citizenship.
In a radio and tv broadcast on Sunday evening, Mottley stated precedence might be given to these with the deepest roots in Barbados, extending citizenship rights to youngsters, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren of Barbadians. “The primary declare on Barbados should be these whose roots run deepest in our soil, and a great-grandchild is as necessary to a great-grandparent as their little one and their grandchild. It’s rapid and shut,” she stated.
The Prime Minister additionally confirmed that Caricom nationals would obtain preferential therapy within the acquisition of citizenship. Past household and regional ties, she stated Barbados will welcome foreigners with expertise and investments that contribute to productiveness and safeguard the Barbadian lifestyle.
Mottley highlighted that legislators are at present debating two companion measures, the Immigration Invoice, 2025 and the Citizenship Invoice, 2025, which might be reviewed by the Parliamentary Governance Standing Committee for broader session. The payments purpose to switch the outdated immigrant standing with a “humane path to everlasting residence” and supply spouses of Barbadians with automated everlasting residency.
“We won’t promote citizenship. Our passport…carries the worth of who we’re. It’s not a commodity to be traded. When you change into a Barbadian, there are not any first-class or second-class residents, solely equal rights and equal tasks,” Mottley stated.
She confused the significance of sober planning amid demographic challenges, noting that Barbados skilled a pure lower in inhabitants in 2024, with deaths outnumbering births. “Our purpose will all the time be to coach and upskill Bajans first. The place gaps stay, we’ll herald extra fingers on time-bound information switch phrases, every one practice one, in order that Barbadians profit first, final and all the time,” she stated.
A number of Caribbean international locations function Citizenship by Funding (CBI) programmes that grant citizenship to overseas traders, whereas Barbados’ participation within the Caricom Single Market and Financial system (CSME) facilitates the free motion of expertise, labour, companies, items, and capital throughout the area.
The Prime Minister stated the payments are publicly obtainable and extensively distributed, inviting Barbadians and different stakeholders to offer enter because the parliamentary committee opinions the laws. “That is how we develop, welcoming these with an actual stake on this nation, whereas defending what now we have constructed…It widens alternative, strengthens safety, stabilises our social safety, and retains Barbados rising in the precise path,” she stated.
