Arrival in St Vincent and Grenadines

Argyle International Airport is the main gateway and lies about 30 minutes from Kingstown. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines also has airports on Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. Scheduled or charter flights and ferries connect Saint Vincent with the Grenadines, but schedules can change with the season and weather, so confirm the service with the provider before traveling. Sea entry is available through Kingstown, Campden Park, Blue Lagoon/Ratho Mill, Walliabou, Chateaubelair, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. Before departure, keep a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds, the purpose of travel and the address of your accommodation available. Many nationalities can enter without a visa. Pre-entry visas apply to nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria and Syria. Published government lists have differed on whether Bulgaria is included, so confirm the current position with the Ministry of National Security before booking. A visa application can require the passport biographical page, two passport photographs, a Sponsor Letter, a Police Certificate of Character, a financial statement and, where relevant, a hotel booking or charter agreement. The visa fee is EC$200 and applications are available through evisa.gov.vc. The Ministry of Health publishes the current yellow-fever entry and transit requirements. The requirement depends on the journey and countries visited, so check the current risk list and carry the required vaccination certificate before departure. Archived COVID-19 documents do not establish current entry rules. All passengers complete an Embarkation/Disembarkation form. The Airport Service Charge is EC$100 when it is not already included in a LIAT ticket. An Immigration Officer checks the documents and issues the applicable Visitor Permit. Citizens of CARICOM, the United Kingdom, Schengen countries and the United States can generally receive a permit for six months; citizens of other international countries generally receive three months. OECS nationals can stay for an indefinite period under the stated entry rules. A Visitor Permit does not replace permission to work or reside. An extension costs EC$75 in cash for each month or part of a month and is handled by the Immigration Head Office in Kingstown or the immigration offices on Bequia, Mustique, Canouan or Union Island. Customs requires truthful declarations and may examine travel documents and all baggage. Declare foreign purchases and gifts, goods belonging to another person, goods intended for sale, commercial samples and plant material. Declare currency above EC$10,000 or its equivalent. Keep medicines in their original labeled containers. For adults aged 18 and over, the duty-free allowance includes up to one quart of wine or spirits and either up to half a pound of tobacco, 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes; excess quantities can be subject to duty or cargo procedures. Non-nationals who plan to work or remain beyond visitor conditions must obtain the relevant permission first. Residence applications are submitted to the Prime Minister's Office at the Financial Complex in Kingstown. Typical documents include two copies of the application, two certified passport photographs, a Police Certificate from the last country of residence when the stay exceeds six months, a bank statement or other financial evidence, a reason for the application or support letter, an employer's support letter for employment, a medical certificate and a passport copy. The application fee is EC$200. Documents that are not in English require an official translation. OECS nationals are generally not required to apply for work or residence permission under the stated rules. Employment also creates National Insurance Services obligations. An employer registers an employee within seven days using Form R1, with a birth certificate or passport and, where relevant, a marriage certificate. The registration produces an NIS card or registration number. In 2026, the contribution rate is 14%, divided into 7.5% for the employer and 6.5% for the employee. Self-employed workers use Form SE1. An Individual Registration Form is available from the Inland Revenue Department, which has offices in Kingstown, Georgetown, Barrouallie, Bequia, Canouan and Union Island; the reviewed sources do not establish a general arrival deadline for tax registration. English is the official language, while local dialects are also widely used. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, and the exchange rate is fixed at US$1 to EC$2.68. US dollars are widely accepted, cards and ATMs are common, and smaller businesses may accept cash only. Electricity is generally 220/240 volts at 50 hertz with UK-style three-pin plugs; Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent use 110 volts at 60 hertz with US-style two-pin plugs. For emergencies, call 911 or 999. Public Health provides 24-hour accident and emergency services in all districts, and Milton Cato Memorial Hospital can be reached at (784) 456-1955. Passport and Immigration can be reached at (784) 456-2632, Argyle International Airport at (784) 456-5555, the SVG Port Authority at (784) 456-1830, NEMO at (784) 456-2975 or (784) 526-3000, and Public Health at (784) 456-1991. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has no evidenced general arrival or residence registration equivalent in the reviewed official sources. The Embarkation/Disembarkation form, Visitor Permit and separate residence or work permissions form the relevant formal immigration record; voter registration is not a general newcomer register.