Stakeholders meet on the implementation of e-ID travel between Barbados and Guyana

A wide cross-section of stakeholders in the regional transportation space met virtually on Friday, 5 June, to discuss the implications and implementation requirements of the decision by Barbados and Guyana to accept electronic identification cards (e-ID) for travel between the CARICOM Member States.

Barbados and Guyana recently announced the decision to use valid national e-ID cards from 1 July 2026. The arrangement aims to make travel easier for citizens of these two countries and deepen integration.

Dr. Wendell Samuel, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General (ag), Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, CARICOM Secretariat chaired the meeting which was organised by the CARICOM Secretariat.

More than 70 representatives including immigration officials of Barbados and Guyana, officials of airlines operating in the Caribbean, electoral officials, representatives of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPSCS) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) participated in the meeting.

The focus areas for the meeting were the role of government/state-owned and regional carriers in operationalising the initiative. Participants also examined the adjustments that may be required for the check-in, boarding, and passenger verification procedures; the inclusion of a field for e-ID cards on the Customs and Immigration forms; the status of in-transit passengers or cases of diversions and unscheduled stops for travellers using the e-ID cards; and data accuracy.

While continued testing and training will be undertaken, representatives of the two countries are confident that their systems are ready for 1 July, particularly after Barbados’ Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Mottley, used the Trident e-ID card to travel to Guyana for its 60th anniversary of Independence on 26 May.

A follow-up meeting will be held on 17 June.

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