Barbados House passes investor residence bill

Barbados has taken a step towards an investor route to permanent residence. The House of Assembly passed a revised Immigration Bill and a companion Citizenship Bill on 27 October 2026, IMI Daily reported on 30 October, and the Senate was given notice two days later. Both bills still need Senate approval, assent and regulations before anyone can apply.

Under section 10 of the Immigration Bill, a foreign national could apply for permanent residence after a qualifying investment of at least five million dollars in an approved national development project. The bill does not say which dollars; IMI Daily reads it as Barbados dollars, or about US$2.5 million at the fixed 2:1 peg as of October 2026. Smaller investments would earn points towards residence instead. Home Affairs Minister Gregory Nicholls named sectors such as healthcare, education, housing, renewable energy, technology, agriculture and tourism. He told MPs: "This bill does not sell passports," according to Barbados Today.

Under section 3(5) of the Citizenship Bill, a permanent resident may apply to register as a citizen after 360 days of residence within the 1,460 days before applying. IMI Daily reads this as roughly one year of physical presence. Registration stays at the minister's discretion, and residence can be revoked if the investment is withdrawn early.