CSME OVERVIEW

BACKGROUND TO THE CSME

In the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which created the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) there are specific provisions relating to the free movement of persons divided into two broad categories:

• The Free Movement of Skills/Labour; and
• The Facilitation of Travel/Hassle – Free Travel

FREE MOVEMENT OF SKILLS

The Free Movement of Skills/Labour entails the right of a CARICOM National to seek work and/or engage in gainful employment in all CARICOM Member States (with the exception of The Bahamas, Montserrat, and Haiti) without the need to obtain a work permit.

Free Movement of Skills is classified under the category:

• Wage Earners: persons seeking employment;

1- WAGE EARNERS

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a Free Movement of Skills certificate to persons who fall under Wage Earners and are desirous of seeking employment in another CARICOM Member State. The approved categories of wage earners who are entitled to move and work freely in the Community are:

• University Graduates with at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualifications, such as ACCA qualifications Pts 1 & 2 ;
• Musicians
• Artistes
• Sports Persons
• Media Workers
• Registered Nurses
• Trained Teachers
• Artisans, who have obtained a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ)
• Holders of Associate Degree

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPROVED CATEGORIES OF WAGE

EARNERS

Uplift or print the application form and fill out the required information

UNIVERSITY GRADUATES

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (Bachelor’s Degree, and higher)
• A verification letter from the Accreditation Council (for certificates not issued by the  University of Guyana and the University of the West Indies)
• CARICOM Passport
• Recent Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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 HOLDERS OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE / EQUIVALENT 

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage certificate/Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (Associate Degree/CAT/ACCA/Ab-Initio Certificate, etc)
• A verification letter from the Accreditation Council (for certificates not issued by the  University of Guyana or the University of the West Indies)
• CARICOM passport
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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MUSICIANS

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (within the field of performing arts, make-up artistry, art and craft, fashion designing, etc.)
• At least three (3) Character References (must include letterhead with signature, direct contact number and email address) from reputable persons (senior public officials, head of a religious body, holders of managerial positions at recognised commercial enterprises, attorneys at law, doctors)
• A portfolio displaying years of work (curriculum vitae, photographs of applicants doing the art/craft and/or its final product with at least three (3) financial receipts, newspaper clippings, magazine features, etc.)
• CARICOM Passport
• Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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ARTISTES

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (within the field of performing arts, make-up artistry, art and craft,
  fashion designing, etc.)
• At least three (3) Character References (must include letterhead with signature, direct contact number and email address) from reputable persons (senior public officials,  head of a religious body, holders of managerial positions at recognised commercial. 
  enterprises, attorneys at law, doctors)
• A portfolio displaying years of work (curriculum vitae, photographs of applicants doing the art/craft and/or its final product with at least three (3) financial receipts, newspaper clippings, magazine features, etc.)
• CARICOM Passport
• Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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SPORTS PERSONS

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Letter (must include letterhead with signature, direct contact number and email address) from the respective National Federation/Association as well as from the local club that the applicant is registered in a particular field of sports and the duration of involvement in the sport.
• At least three (3) Character References (must include letterhead with signature, direct contact number and email address) from reputable persons (senior public officials, head of a religious body, holders of managerial positions at recognised commercial enterprises,
  attorneys at law, doctors)
• A display of photographs of applicant doing the sport, newspaper clippings, magazine features, etc.)
• CARICOM Passport
• Recent Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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MEDIA WORKERS

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification
• Reference Letter(s) from current or former employer(s) stating the number of years that the applicant has been involved in the media and their job description.
• A portfolio displaying years of work (print media - newspaper clippings, magazine features, electronic media – link to work done)
• Verification Letter from the Guyana Press Association
• CARICOM Passport
• Recent Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:  

Applicant must be a member of the Guyana Press Association

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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REGISTERED NURSES

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (Nursing Certificate)
• Verification Letter from the Nursing Council
• Nurse Registration Card
• CARICOM Passport
• Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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TRAINED TEACHERS

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (Trained Teacher’s Certificate)
• CARICOM Passport
• Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks.  (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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ARTISANS

The following original documents must be presented to process CSME applications:

• Birth Certificate
• Deed Poll (if applicable)
• Marriage Certificate/ Divorce Absolute (if applicable)
• Letter of Citizenship (if applicable)
• Qualification (Caribbean Vocational Qualification in technical fields, e.g. plumbing, carpentry, electrical mechanics, welding, etc.)
• CARICOM Passport
• Recent Passport Sized Photograph
• Valid Police Clearance
• Receipt (Fee: G$1500.00)

Note:

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process)

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NON-WAGE EARNERS

The Non-Wage Earners are self-employed CARICOM Nationals (juridical as well as natural persons who have the right to work as self-employed persons in the C.S.M.E. and these persons can move to another Member State to establish a business or to provide a service on temporary basis. This category of person is

NOT require a Free Movement of Skill Certificate, however Service Providers must obtain a Certificate of Registration as a CARICOM Service Provider.

(For further information contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 254 South Road Georgetown, Tel #: (592) - 225 – 3982).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Free Movement of Skills Certificate?

The Free Movement of Skills Certificate is a document that is issued to any CARICOM national that falls under the approved categories. This certificate eliminates the need for a work permit in a CARICOM country.

Who can apply for a Free Movement of Skills Certificate?

Any qualifying CARICOM National.

How do you apply for the Free Movement of Skills Certificate?

Submit the list of required documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fill out the form – Particulars Relating to the Applicant.

Can I apply for the Free Movement of Skills Certificate in another Member State?

Agencies responsible for Free Movement in the various CARICOM Member States are authorized to issue certificates to any CARICOM National as long as requirements are met.

How long does it take to get the Free Movement of Skills Certificate?

The process takes three (3) to six (6) weeks. (This could be lengthened based on the verification process.)

How much does the certificate cost?

In Guyana the cost is G$1500.00. N.B: This prices varies from Member State to Member State.

Does the certificate expire?

There is no expiration date for the certificate.

What are the documents needed for this certificate?

Please check the list of requirements on pages two (2) - seven (7).

Are all CARICOM countries a part of the Free Movement arrangement?

The following countries are currently in the Free Movement regime:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Barbados
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• St. Lucia
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago

For further information or assistance pertaining to the Free Movement of Skills certificate, please contact:

Free Movement Unit Department of the Americas Ministry of Foreign Affairs ‘Takuba Lodge’
254 South Road
GEORGETOWN
Tel: (592) – 225-3982
Fax: (592) -225-9192
E-mail: minfor@guyana.net.gy

October 2025