Guyana and Barbados have officially launched a shared digital ID travel system, allowing citizens to travel between the two countries using digital identification cards instead of passports. The initiative, implemented on May 25, was symbolically launched when Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, became the first person to use the system while traveling from Barbados to Guyana.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali described the move as a major step forward for deeper regional integration, border modernisation and strengthened CARICOM cooperation.
“This arrangement was approved following the passage of the necessary orders issued in both countries, after consultations involving government officials, CARICOM impacts and other regional stakeholders. As a result, it is expected to streamline border processing, reduce travel friction and enhance convenience for citizens traveling for business, tourism, education and family connections,” the president said.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the initiative is not designed to benefit the governments of both alone, nor is it solely for the private sector.
“It is intended to benefit every single citizen. We recognise that anniversaries don’t and should never just be just simply commemorative. That for them to be effective, they must leave a legacy at the personal level in terms of the commitments we make, at the national level in terms of the opportunities and the commitments that we’ve made. And that is why President Ali and myself felt strongly that this was a perfect opportunity to give ordinary Guyanese and ordinary Bajans the opportunity to know what it is to have ultimately easier travel and not having to be able to rely only on a passport,” she said.
The digital ID cards are intended to simplify and speed up border processing, reduce travel barriers, improve access for business, tourism and education and family travel, and support a broader digital governance across Caribbean countries.