Study in Barbados
Barbados offers a high-quality education system, primarily in English, focused on Caribbean and international studies. The main university is the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Students require an **Immigration Study Permit** and **Immigration Status (Stamp)**. Part-time work is generally restricted.
Application timeline
6-10 weeks (plus potential delays from the Department of Immigration).
Living cost
BSD 1,500 - 2,800/month (high cost of living, especially housing).
Hourly wage
$6.25 - $8.00 BSD/hr (Minimum wage is $6.25/hr, but casual work is prohibited for students).
Study visa confidence
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Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
Student Permit / Immigration Status
Long-stay, Academic
Validity
Duration of course (renewable)
Processing time
6-10 weeks (via Barbados Immigration Department).
Fee
BSD 300 - 500 (Application fee varies).
Work rights
No. Strict restriction on part-time work for international students.
Documents required
Acceptance Letter, Financial Proof, Police Certificate, Medical Exam, Passport, Application Form, Proof of Accommodation.
Dependents
Yes, but difficult and requires high levels of proof of financial support. · No (Dependents are not permitted to work).
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus
Cave Hill, St. Michael · Top Caribbean University
BSc in Tourism and Hospitality Management
3 years · USD 12,000 - 15,000/yr (Intl)
Barbados Community College (BCC)
Howell Cross Road, St. Michael · Top Technical College
Associate Degree in Computer Studies
2 years · USD 6,000 - 8,000/yr (Intl)
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Barbados Government Scholarship (National)
Varies (often partial tuition and stipend).
Primarily for Barbadian citizens; very limited for international students based on specific bilateral agreements.
UWI Open Scholarship
Partial to full tuition waiver.
High academic merit for undergraduate studies; highly competitive for international applicants.
OAS (Organization of American States) Scholarship Program
Partial tuition waiver/stipend.
Citizens of OAS member states for undergraduate or graduate study.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
UWI Bilateral Exchange Programs
1 semester or 1 year
Specific to the student's home university and UWI Cave Hill Campus.
Commonwealth Exchange
Varies
Students from Commonwealth countries.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Strict Immigration Status
Ensure you have the correct 'Immigration Status' stamped in your passport upon arrival, not just the entry stamp. Your school will assist.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Secure accommodation before applying for the Student Permit; have all financial documents clearly showing the ability to self-fund for the duration; apply well in advance of the start date.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
English
Currency
Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
Time zone
UTC-04:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
None (General casual work is prohibited)
N/A
International students are generally not granted permission to work part-time or casually in Barbados.
Research Assistantship (Limited)
Varies (Minimal stipend/hourly rate)
Extremely limited opportunities, usually only for high-level graduate research, and must be explicitly approved by Immigration.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Low. No direct post-study work visa. Securing an employer-sponsored work permit requires high-level qualifications in a field where there is a shortage of qualified citizens.