Until late-2022, Barbadian citizens can visit the Schengen Zone without a visa. There are no extra steps, no hoops to jump through, and countries like Greece, Spain, Austria, and Germany are wide open. In late 2022, that will change, and from 2023 onward, all Barbadians will need to apply for an ETIAS before they can travel to Schengen countries.
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Barbadian Citizens
The ETIAS or “European Travel Information and Authorization System” is an electronic visa waiver program. It’s not a visa—it’s a visa exemption. It’s also a very good thing because while it adds an extra step to the process of visiting many European countries, it’s much better than the alternative.
If you don’t need to apply for an ETIAS, it either means that you live within the Schengen Zone, in which case you can travel with complete freedom, or you need to apply for a full Schengen Visa, in which case you may need to visit an embassy or consulate.
There is only one ETIAS program, which means that you don’t need to complete several applications just because you’re visiting multiple countries. By the same token, if you land in Austria with a valid ETIAS, you will be allowed to travel to nearby nations like Germany, France, and other Schengen countries.
You can apply for an ETIAS on the official website and will need all of the following information and documents:
- Full Name and Date of Birth
- Nationality
- Country Where the Passport Was Issued (Barbados)
- Date the Passport Was Issued
- Date the Passport Expires (must have at least 3 months validity from your travel date)
- Passport Number
- Credit Card or Debit Card (a €7 fee is required)
What Can the ETIAS Visa Waiver be Used For?
The only real limitation on the ETIAS is time-based. On the one hand, you can technically use an ETIAS to study, but at the same time, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a worthwhile course that lasts for less than 90 days. They do exist though, and short courses like this can also be used as a prelude to longer study.
For instance, you can commit to a season-long course in a country to determine whether it’s worth sticking around for longer. If you like what you see and think it will have value for you, simply apply for a Schengen Visa and you can stay for the long haul.
Where Do Barbadians Go on Vacation?
Barbados is a paradise. It’s the country that many people want to visit, and you will find it at the top of countless bucket lists. But where do actual Barbadians want to travel? If you’re living in an island paradise, where do you go on vacation?
According to a report published by Kuoni, most Barbadians list the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as their preferred travel destination. It’s a beautiful place, but it’s also very close, and that likely has more to do with it. In fact, it takes just 45 minutes to fly from Barbados to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Can Barbadian Citizens Travel to the US Without a Visa?
All Barbadian citizens need to apply for a visa if they want to travel to the United States. A Barbadian passport can open a lot of doors, as discussed below, but the United States is not one of them.
Which Countries Can Barbadians Visit Without a Visa?
The Barbadian passport is the highest-ranked in the Caribbean and the 21st in the world, putting it ahead of passports from countries like Israel, Mexico, and Uruguay. These rankings are based on visa-free access, with Barbadian passport holders offered easy access to most countries in the Americas (including Canada and Mexico) and Europe.
Barbadian citizens can also visit China, India, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom without a visa or through a visa waiver program.