The Bills are currently before Parliament and are subject to change. The information provided below is not legal or professional advice.
In 2019, the Barbados government established a National Population Commission to develop a set of policy recommendations to address the declining and ageing population of Barbados. A draft of the policy was published by the Commission in February, 2023.
The draft policy outlined specific actions that could help address the declining and ageing population, without which Barbados is likely to face a population crisis within the next 30 years.
On August 12, 2025, the Minister of Home Affairs laid before Parliament the Immigration Bill, 2025 and the Barbados Citizenship Bill, 2025, which together represent the legislative changes necessary to address the population and skills crisis affecting the island.
The Bill modernises immigration law in Barbados by abolishing archiac terms and references, putting customary practices on a firm statutory footing, and introducing a points-based system for skilled migration.
The Bill proposes to grant the following class of persons the right to register as permanent residents of Barbados:
In addition, the following class of persons may also apply to register as permanent residents of Barbados but must be awarded at least 10 points within the points-based system:
The Minister of Home Affairs has the power to refuse to register a person as a permanent resident if deemed necessary in the interest of national security. Furthermore, any person registered as a permanent resident may have their status revoked if they (a) engage in activities deterimental to the security of Barbados; or (b) are convicted on indictment of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term exceeding three years.
What skills and experience will be considered desirable are likely to be determined by directions published by the Minister responsible for Immigration. A skills shortage list may also be utilised, similar to that found in other jurisdictions like Australia and the United Kingdom.
Under current law, a person may be granted by the Minister responsible for Immigration permission to reside and work in Barbados in the form of a "Reside and Work" permit, which is typically valid for a period of three years. This status is often granted to persons who are not eligible for any other status (e.g. immigrant, permanent resident, or citizen) but where such persons cannot reasonably be expected to leave Barbados due to a compelling reason such as family connections or personal circumstances.
These permits are currently issued under discretionary power. The Bill puts this customary practice on a statutory footing by codifying the "reside" and "reside and work" regimes at Clause 5 of the Bill.
Under the new statutory regime, an eligible applicant may be granted either a "reside" or "reside and work" permit, likely for a period of three years at a time.
For migration pathways subject to the points-based system, the table below represents the method by which points will be awarded:
| Criteria | Points |
| 18 to 30 years of age | 5 |
| 31 to 50 years of age | 4 |
| over 50 years of age | 3 |
| Criteria | Points |
| Great-great grandchild | 4 |
| All other descendants | 3 |
| Criteria | Points |
| Relevant skills and experience | Up to 5 points |
A minimum of ten (10) points will be required for an applicant to be eligible under a migration pathway subject to the points-based system.
Directions will be given by the Minister responsible for Immigration to guide immigration officials as to the designation of points in respect of an applicant's skills and experience.
The Bill reforms citizenship law in Barbados by repealing discriminatory provisions which unfairly distinguish between persons who acquire citizenship by jus soli (right of soil) with persons who acquire citizenship by other means, such as jus sanguinis (right of blood), or by naturalisation (registration).
For example, under current law, a child born overseas is a citizen of Barbados at birth if the biological mother or father is a citizen of Barbados by birth (jus soli). However, if the biological mother or father is a citizen of Barbados by any other means (e.g. by descent or naturalisation) that child is not eligible for Barbadian citizenship, despite the family connections to Barbados.
The Bill proposes to extend jus sanguinis (right of blood) to a child born overseas whose parent or guardian is a citizen of Barbados. Such applications must be made by the parent or guardian on behalf of the child.
The Bill proposes to extend jus sanguinis (right of blood) to a person born overseas who is the grandchild or great-grandchild of a citizen of Barbados. Such applications can be made directly by the person who is eligible if they are an adult at the time they apply.
The Bill proposes to grant the right to any person who has been an immigrant for at least three years prior to the commencement of the Bill (being an Act of Parliament at that point) to register as a citizen of Barbados. All other persons with immigrant status not falling into the foregoing criteria will be eligible to apply for permanent residency with a statutory pathway to Barbadian citizenship as described above.
The Bill proposes to grant the following class of persons (and their spouse and dependents) the right to register as citizens of Barbados: