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An official website of the Government of Barbados

Immigration Department Barbados

Service

Student visa

Non-immigrant students, and the schools that sponsor them.

You must hold a student visa before you enter Barbados to study. The visa is granted in three stages: security clearance, a provisional visa, then the full visa.

How to apply

  1. 1 The school completes Form H-1, the Certificate of Eligibility.
  2. 2 You or your parent completes Form H-2.
  3. 3 Submit with the fee and supporting documents.
  4. 4 Security clearance is decided within 10 working days. An unfavourable result is given in writing.
  5. 5 A provisional visa of up to four months is issued, as an entry stamp only.
  6. 6 The full visa follows within 60 working days — three years for a minor, or the length of the course for an adult.

What you need

Bring the original of every document as well as a photocopy.

  • Form H-1, completed by the school
  • Form H-2, completed by the student or parent
  • Original or notarised birth certificate
  • Two passport photographs
  • Copy of the passport bio-data page
  • Acceptance letter from an institution registered with the Ministry
  • Proof of funds for tuition, living costs and medical expenses
  • Notarised parental consent letter if applicable
  • Police certificate of character from every country you have lived in for six months or more in the past three years if 18 or over
  • Course timetable and outline, and proof of accommodation if 18 or over

Worth knowing

  • CARICOM nationals under 16 may not need Forms H-1 and H-2.
  • Laminated documents are not accepted, and police certificates must be originals — scans are refused.
  • Renewal costs $300 and needs a current student report. Transferring school requires a new application.

Forms