10 years after issuance for individuals aged 16 and above; 5 years for citizens from the age of 5–15[1]
A Barbados passport is a travel document issued to citizens of Barbados, in accordance with Citizenship Act (CAP. 186) from 1978, the Immigration Act (CAP. 190) from 1997, and the Barbados Constitution, for the purpose of facilitating international travel. It allows the bearer to travel to foreign countries in accordance with visa requirements, and facilitates the process of securing assistance from Barbados consular officials abroad, if necessary.
Barbados citizens are eligible to apply for a passport.[4] A passport for a person under 16 years of age is valid for five years; a passport for persons 16 years and above is valid for ten years.[5]
Application
All applicants aged 16 or above are entitled to apply for a standard Barbados passport.
Minors aged 15 and below may remain on their parent's passport.
32 pages (passports with more pages can be issued to frequent travellers)
Cover
Barbados passports are dark blue in colour, with logo of CARICOM and the words CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY followed by BARBADOS inscribed on top of the booklet. The Barbados coat of arms is prominently emblazoned in the centre of the cover page, followed on the bottom by the inscription of the words PASSPORT on ordinary passports, and DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT on diplomatic passports. Underneath that is the international biometric symbol.
Identification page
The following information is printed on the identification page, in: English, French, and Spanish.
Front view, full face, open eyes, closed mouth, and natural expression
Full head from top of hair to shoulders
White background
No shadows on face or in background
No sunglasses; face obstructions, or hats
Normal contrast and lighting
Passport statement
Barbados passports contain on their inside cover the following words in English only:
Current version
In November 2021 the Barbados government transformed to a republican form of government.[7] Follow the change there were some changes made to the passport.
Commonwealth realm version
These are to request and require in the name of the Governor-General of Barbados all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford him or her every assistance and protection of which he or she may stand in need.
1960s colonial version
The Governor of Barbados requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.
As of 19 July 2022, Barbadian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 163 countries and territories, ranking the Barbadian passport 23rd in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley visa restrictions index.[8] The Barbados passport ranks 1st among CARICOM passport holders that enjoy travel freedom and visa-free access.
Holders of a Barbados passport may travel without a visa, or receive a visa upon arrival, to many other countries. As of 28 May 2009, Barbados signed a short-stay visa waiver agreement with the European Union. The agreement allows citizens of Barbados to visit the countries of Europe who are members of the Schengen Area for up to three months in any six-month period without a visa. Similarly, citizens of Europe (who countries are members of the Schengen Area) will be able to visit Barbados for the same period without a visa.