The Belizean government has taken a decisive step toward regional integration by formally tabling legislation that implements a groundbreaking free movement agreement within the CARICOM bloc. This legislative action, presented to the House on February 9, 2026, transforms the previously operational arrangement into binding law, setting the stage for full implementation by October 1, 2025.
The pioneering initiative, initially endorsed during the 49th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in July 2025, establishes a comprehensive legal framework enabling citizens of Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to reside, seek employment, and pursue economic opportunities across participating nations without requiring special permits.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca emphasized the legislation’s significance in providing “clarity for Belizeans, certainty for institutions, and consistency in the administration of free movement.” The bill effectively codifies arrangements that had been functionally operational but lacked formal legal standing.
Official data reveals that 83 CARICOM nationals have already entered Belize under the preliminary framework, primarily comprising business professionals, athletes, and short-term visitors. Notably, only two individuals currently maintain indefinite residence status in Belize, indicating the program’s measured implementation without straining public services or compromising national order.
This legislative milestone represents the most substantial advancement in Caribbean regional mobility since the original CARICOM framework’s establishment, potentially serving as a model for expanded integration throughout the broader Caribbean community.