Gizane Campos
Understanding Caribbean travel restrictions can be tricky. Although there are regional agreements and uniform travel policies through CARICOM and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), each island enforces its own entry and restriction policies. Additionally, violent crime, civil unrest, and other serious risks vary across the region, meaning Caribbean nations have differing travel advisory levels.
This guide provides a detailed view of travel restrictions in the Caribbean.
Current Caribbean Travel Restrictions
CARICOM (Caribbean Community)
All Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states typically allow Caribbean passport holders from other member countries visa free entry for up to six months. US, Canadian, EU, and British passport holders can travel visa free to CARICOM countries for between 30 and 180 days. The specific requirements will vary by country.
CARICOM Nation | Visa Free | Stay Period |
Antigua and Barbuda | Yes (e-Visa) | Six months |
Bahamas | Yes | Three to eight months |
Barbados | Yes | Six months |
Belize | Yes | 30 days |
Dominica | Yes | Three to six months |
Jamaica | Yes | Six months |
Grenada | Yes | Three months |
Guyana | Yes | 30 days |
Haiti | Yes | 90 days |
Monserrat | Yes | 180 days |
St Kitts and Nevis | Yes (eTA) | Three months |
St Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes | Six months |
St Lucia | Yes (eVisa) | 6 weeks |
Suriname | Yes (eVisa) | 90 days |
Trinidad and Tobago | Yes | 90 days |
Anguilla (Associate Members) | Yes | Three months |
Bermuda (Associate Members) | Yes | Six months |
British Virgin Islands (Associate Members) | Yes | 30 days |
Cayman Islands (Associate Members) | Yes | Six months |
Curaçao (Associate Members) | Yes | 90 days |
Turks and Caicos Islands (Associate Members) | Yes | 90 days |
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OESC)
The OECS free movement agreement allows citizens of member countries to stay indefinitely in any member country, including individuals who gained Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment.
Under the free movement agreement, citizens can travel without a passport to Caribbean countries within the organization.
Caribbean Travel Insurance Requirements
Travel insurance isn’t a strict requirement to travel to most Caribbean countries; however, it is a travel addition that is strongly recommended for visitors to the Caribbean due to potentially high out-of-pocket medical expenses, the limited infrastructure of the Caribbean healthcare system, especially in remote areas, and the possibility for trip disruptions due to hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Cuba travel requirements include travel insurance with health insurance, which is typically requested upon entry. Travelers who arrive without health insurance may be instructed to buy a government health insurance policy to gain entry.
Caribbean Travel Advisory
The United States Department of State issues travel advisories for all countries to determine the level of safety for foreign visitors. The advisories assess several risk factors, including terrorist violence, organized crime, healthcare, civil unrest, and other emergency situations that can jeopardize travelers’ security.
The US State Department separates travel advisories into four risk tiers, with “1” being the lowest risk and “4” indicating the highest concern for safety.
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- Level 1 with risk: Exercise normal precautions with higher security risk
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution with higher security risk areas
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 3 with risk: Reconsider travel with higher security risk areas to avoid
- Level 4: Do not travel
Most countries in the Caribbean are assigned a “Level 1: Exercise normal precautions” travel advisory, making Caribbean tourism generally safe for travelers. The following destinations in the Caribbean have been issued a travel warning higher than Level 1:
- Dominican Republic: Level 2
- Cuba: Level 2
- Bahamas: Level 2
- Belize: Level 2
- Jamaica: Level 2
- Guyana: Level 3
- Trinidad and Tobago: Level 3
- Haiti: Level 4
Drug trafficking and violent crime are the primary risks in several Caribbean countries that carry Level 2 or Level 3 advisories. These concerns rarely affect tourists staying in secure hotel compounds and tourist areas. Haiti’s Level 4 travel advisory from the US State Department sets it apart from much of the Caribbean due to severe concerns over civil unrest, violent crime, collapsed infrastructure, and a heightened risk of sexual assault.
Caribbean Countries and the US Travel Ban
The United States government hinted at travel restrictions affecting passengers traveling to the US from certain Caribbean nations, creating uncertainty for those seeking Caribbean immigration services.
The table below lists banned countries and those with a proposed travel ban.
Status | Description | Affected Countries |
Red List (Full Travel Ban) | Visa services for the US have been completely suspended | Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen |
Orange List (Partial Travel Restrictions) | Visa issuance significantly limited, with restrictions on specific categories | Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Turkmenistan |
Yellow List (60-Day Compliance Period) | Government authorities are required to resolve 'deficiencies' within 60 days, or risk stricter US visa restrictions | Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Dem. Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe |
Countries offering Caribbean citizenship by investment have introduced measures to address concerns that could impact travel to the United States, including introducing a regional regulator—an element of compliance crucial in the Global Citizenship Solutions Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report.
Take a look at our Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Restrictions in the Caribbean
What Caribbean islands have a travel advisory?
Caribbean islands with a travel advisory of “exercise increased caution” or higher include the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Cuba.
Is there a travel ban on St Lucia?
Saint Lucia does not have a travel ban and St Lucia safety is considered “Level 1,” as of the latest travel advisory from the US State Department.
Is Antigua banned from the US?
No, the US government has not banned international flights from Antigua and Barbuda. However, there were reports of a potential travel ban for certain Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda.
What is the safest Caribbean island to visit right now?
Aruba, the Cayman Islands, and Bonaire are considered some of the safest Caribbean islands to visit due to their historically low levels of crime and unrest.
Which is safer, Jamaica or the Bahamas?
With Jamaica’s travel advisory of “Level 2: Exercise increased caution – Contains Areas with Higher Security Risk,” and the Bahamas “Level 2: Exercise increased caution,” the Bahamas is generally considered to be safer than Jamaica, due to Jamaica having an exceptionally high risk of violent crime, sexual assault, and slow or untimely responses to serious criminal incidents.
