CARICOM Skills Certificate (CSME Free Movement)

The movement of skilled nationals includes the right of certain categories of CARICOM Nationals under Article 46 of the Revised Treaty to seek employment in another Member State. As of 2025, there are 13 agreed categories that will be outlined in a further section. Community law and the laws of Member States allow CARICOM Nationals to seek employment in all CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) participating Member States without the need to obtain a work permit in the Member State in which s/he desires to work. The eligible CARICOM Nationals have to apply for a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification (Skills Certificate). This can be done in any of the CSME participation Member States.

Applications for CARICOM Skills Certificate should be made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development

The movement of skilled nationals includes the right of certain categories of CARICOM Nationals under Article 46 of the Revised Treaty to seek employment in another Member State. As of 2025, there are 13 agreed categories that will be outlined in a further section. Community law and the laws of Member States allow CARICOM Nationals to seek employment in all CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) participating Member States without the need to obtain a work permit in the Member State in which s/he desires to work. The eligible CARICOM Nationals have to apply for a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification (Skills Certificate). This can be done in any of the CSME participation Member States.

The movement of skilled nationals includes the right of certain categories of CARICOM Nationals under Article 46 of the Revised Treaty to seek employment in another Member State. As of 2025, there are 13 agreed categories that will be outlined in a further section. Community law and the laws of Member States allow CARICOM Nationals to seek employment in all CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) participating Member States without the need to obtain a work permit in the Member State in which s/he desires to work. The eligible CARICOM Nationals have to apply for a Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification (Skills Certificate). This can be done in any of the CSME participation Member States.

A CARICOM National entering another Member State with a Skills Certificate issued by another Member State must be granted a definite entry of six months and has the right to work immediately. A CARICOM National entering with a Skills Certificate issued by the receiving country must be granted an indefinite entry. It is advisable that Immigration Departments use stamps to indicate the current stay and status in the passport of the CARICOM National. In the case of definite entry the stamp may read “FREE MOVEMENT DEFINITE ENTRY – RIGHT TO WORK – VERIFICATION REQUIRED” and in the case of the indefinite entry “FREE MOVEMENT INDEFINITE ENTRY – RIGHT TO WORK”. Immigration should indicate to a person who is entering with a Skills Certificate issued by another Member State that verification is required within the definite period of six months. Immigration should, in addition, advise the recipient of definite entry status of relevant information to complete the process leading to indefinite entry status.

Applications for CARICOM Skills Certificate should be made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Export Development

Spouses and dependents of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals, who relocate to other Member States, will now be entitled to access benefits such as health and education services, which were not previously afforded to them. This applies to individuals and their families, who move across the region to work, provide services and establish companies within the framework of the free movement regime under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Jamaica is among six CARICOM countries that have agreed to facilitate the benefits with the signing of the Protocol on Contingent Rights on Friday (July 6). The others are Barbados, Haiti, Suriname, St. Lucia and Grenada.

A CARICOM National entering another Member State with a Skills Certificate issued by another Member State must be granted a definite entry of six months and has the right to work immediately. A CARICOM National entering with a Skills Certificate issued by the receiving country must be granted an indefinite entry. It is advisable that Immigration Departments use stamps to indicate the current stay and status in the passport of the CARICOM National. In the case of definite entry the stamp may read “FREE MOVEMENT DEFINITE ENTRY – RIGHT TO WORK – VERIFICATION REQUIRED” and in the case of the indefinite entry “FREE MOVEMENT INDEFINITE ENTRY – RIGHT TO WORK”. Immigration should indicate to a person who is entering with a Skills Certificate issued by another Member State that verification is required within the definite period of six months. Immigration should, in addition, advise the recipient of definite entry status of relevant information to complete the process leading to indefinite entry status.