International Removals UK to the Caribbean

It takes between 10 and 40 days to ship your items from the UK to the Caribbean, depending on your destination.

Here are expected transit times to some of our popular Caribbean destinations:

• Barbados: 11 days
• Jamaica: 18 days
• Dominican Republic: 19 days
• Cayman Islands: 35 days
• Bahamas: 35 days
• Cuba: 35 days
• Panama: 20 days

We require the following documentation to ship your personal belongings from the UK to the Caribbean:

• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your residency visa
• Inventory list of imported goods
• Bill of Lading document to detail items being moved. We can issue this once your goods have left the UK.

All documents can be uploaded via our secure document transfer page.

Yes, our free container tracking tool lets you track your shipment from the UK to the Caribbean. You’ll get your tracking number once your shipment has left the UK.

Yes, you can take your pet with you to the Caribbean from the UK. You must meet strict requirements to allow this.

Key requirements:

1. Microchipping: Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip.
2. Rabies Vaccination: Your pet must be up to date with its vaccines. Rabies is a common vaccination your pet will need at least 35 days before your departure.
3. Health Certificate: Your pet will need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian to confirm your pet is healthy.
4. Import Permit: Certain destinations in the Caribbean require an import permit.
5. Customs Declaration: You’ll also need to declare your pet at customs.

Yes, British citizens can live and work in the Caribbean, but each country has different visa requirements. You won’t need a visa if you only plan on staying in most Caribbean countries for less than 90 days. You can apply for a Residence Permit for long-term stays and you’ll need a Work Visa if you intend on living and working there.

For most visas in the Caribbean, you’ll need to adhere to the following criteria:

• Hold a valid UK passport
• Visa application form
• Passport sized photos
• Proof of financial situation
• Proof of accommodation
• Clean criminal record

While not a requirement, it’s advised to have valid health insurance as well.

Yes, many Caribbean countries offer a digital nomad visa, often referred to as a Welcome Stamp or Digital Residence. This lets you work remotely for up to 12 months without needing a Residence Visa. Some countries even allow you to stay there on the visa for up to 2 years whilst in others you can easily extend the period.

There are various visas offered in each Caribbean country, so you’d have to research your destination for a full breakdown. They are often as follows; Family, Investor, Residency, Digital Nomad, Student, Work, Business and Tourist.

The most popular visas are Residence and Work. To apply for a Work visa, you will need to be employed in the Caribbean or have a job offer in place and sponsorship from your employer.

The Caribbean offers a high quality of life for many. With well-developed healthcare, a warm climate and a low cost of living in rural regions, many UK movers have started a new life in the Caribbean.

Healthcare in the Caribbean differs by country, but most have public and private systems. Less developed areas see limited services and lower quality of healthcare, but in most parts, the service is of a high standard. It’s recommended to get health insurance before your move.

There are many international schools in the Caribbean, including in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. These schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB), British National Curriculum, and American-based systems. International schools will come with higher fees than public schools, so factor this into your budget as there are no public international schools.

Primary education begins at 5 and ends at 11, while secondary school starts at 12 and finishes at 16 or 17. Notable universities include the University of the West Indies, the University of Trinidad and Tobago and the University of the Bahamas.

The cost of living in the Caribbean varies by country, but in general, it’s higher than in the UK. Food, goods and cars are imported, which makes the price tag higher than in the UK for lots of services. Property prices can also be high, especially in popular tourist destinations. It’s possible to find affordable housing in certain areas such as Belize and Dominica.

The job market varies significantly by country. In general, the tourist and hospitality sectors prove to be popular throughout all Caribbean countries and make up a significant part of the economy. The Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Bahamas, and Barbados are established offshore financial centres, with lots of opportunities in financial roles there.