Welcome to the January 2023 Semester: In-Person Learning, Travel, and Safety Measures

The Barbados travel requirements are regularly updated by the Barbados government. Please continue to check the visitbarbados.org website and re-review the guidelines prior to traveling to Barbados. We also encourage you to check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on boarding requirements based on your country of citizenship.

When getting ready to travel to Barbados a few documents we recommend carrying with you include: 

• Passport 
• Barbados Entry Visa*
• Student Visa or RUSM Acceptance letter (see Immigration section below)
• Hard copy of your COVID-19 test results (unvaccinated travelers only)
• Proof of Health Insurance 
  • Aetna Student Health insurance (card can be downloaded here)
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination / vaccination certificate (vaccinated travelers only)
• Birth Certificate and if applicable Marriage Certificate (only applicable for students who are awaiting their Barbados Student Visa, see Immigration and Visa section below)

* Dependent on your country of citizenship, Barbados may require an entry visa prior to travel to Barbados. At the time of booking your flight to Barbados, please confirm with your airline carrier if you need a Barbados entry visa. For most of our students who travel with a U.S. (United States) or Canadian passport, a Barbados entry visa is not required. If you need a Barbados entry visa, please contact the RUSM Immigration team right away at Immigration@RossU.edu. The team can help you with applying for this entry visa.  

Upon arrival in Barbados, you will proceed through immigration and customs. Make sure you have an electronic copy of the receipts that are sent after completing the online Customs and Immigration forms. We also recommend that you walk with a hard copy of your COVID-19 test results if possible.

When meeting the Barbados Immigration officer, be prepared to either provide a copy of your RUSM acceptance letter if have not received your student visa (see Immigration section below for more details). Please note that random COVID-19 testing may be required at the full discretion of the Barbados government officials.

After clearing immigration and customs, you can proceed to your Barbados home.

After you submit your online Immigration and Customs forms, you will receive an email from the Immigration office that contains two receipts: one you will show to the Immigration officer and one you will show to the Customs agent at the airport.

If you will not be able to check in to campus by the end of the day on Monday, September 5, please contact your Student Care Advisor (SCA) at RUSMSCATeam@RossU.edu to discuss the reason for your delay and short-term leave options as outlined in the Leaves and Absences section of the RUSM Student Handbook. Your Student Care Advisor can also work with you on submitting the necessary documentation to have the late arrival fee waived.

To have the late arrival fee waived, you will need to provide documentation demonstrating an unavoidable emergent concern that has delayed your arrival.  Documentation that may be requested includes your original flight itinerary showing that you would have arrived in Barbados by September 5 and documentation regarding the reason for your delay (e.g., canceled flight, delayed pre-arrival COVID-19 testing results, or a sick note from your medical provider indicating an emergent health concern). 

Please note: If there is any unforeseen circumstance that could delay your arrival and check-in after September 5, it is essential that you proactively contact your Student Care Advisor as soon as possible and follow up on requests for documentation in a timely manner.

Yes, but you do not need a visa for your initial travel/entry to Barbados. Students will enter Barbados as a visitor to the island. After arrival, the RUSM Immigration team will help facilitate the submission of your immigration documents for the student visa.   The Government of Barbados has specific immigration requirements for all non-nationals to enter and stay on the island. As someone traveling to Barbados for educational purposes, you will need to apply for a student visa and then once approved, remain on this status during enrollment. For RUSM to facilitate that process, you must submit all required documents to the RUSM Immigration team by your advised deadlines through the Complio solution.

The application for your student visa will begin processing after you check into campus in Barbados and have submitted any additional required documents (if applicable) to the RUSM Immigration team. This includes the submission of original or notarized birth certificates / marriage certificate (if applicable).  

ALL students are required to submit their passport for stamping in accordance with the Barbados immigration policies. Student visa applications are reviewed and approved by the Barbados Immigration Office in batches. Once your visa has been approved, you will be sent instructions on how and when to submit your passport to the RUSM Immigration team for stamping. The RUSM Immigration team will coordinate the stamping schedule with the Barbados immigration department. Stamped passports are returned to students within 10 working days from the date of submission. 

More information on the student visa process can also be found on the Student Timeline Immigration page. 

Please ensure that you have purchased a return ticket that covers both your inbound and outbound flights to and from Barbados. This is a boarding requirement for all visitors on flights with a destination of Barbados. This requirement will remain in effect even though you may have received your approved student visa. Your return ticket can be for any time before your student visa expires. Please continue to ensure that you confirm with your airline for any additional changes of requirements to Barbados.

When checking into your flight, be prepared to show the airline staff your Barbados student visa stamp. This stamp is located on one of the pages in your passport and you may be required to show this for boarding an aircraft.

Please ensure that you have purchased a return ticket that covers both your inbound and outbound flights to and from Barbados. This is a boarding requirement for all visitors on flights with a destination of Barbados. Since you have not received your student visa stamp, you will be required to comply with the return ticket duration as outlined by your country. Your airline carrier can provide you with the duration of your return ticket based on your passport country.

If you have not received your student visa stamp, please inform the airline that your student visa application is still in process and that you expect to receive it this upcoming semester. Please print and carry your RUSM acceptance letter as evidence of your enrollment.  

If you submitted your visa documents through the Complio platform, you are required to bring an original or official certified/notarized birth certificate and, where applicable, marriage certificate to the RUSM Immigration team. Your original or notarized document may be returned once the Barbados student visa is issued.  This is up to the discretion of the Barbados Immigration Office. Note, if returned you may be asked to resubmit the document at a later time if required by the Barbados Immigration department.

The student visa is ONLY valid for active students that are enrolled with RUSM. If a status changes, the student will need to ensure that they meet immigration requirements which may require that the individual depart Barbados or meet with the Barbados immigration office.  

RUSM provides updates to the Barbados immigration office for enrollment changes in our community. This is our responsibility and commitment to the Barbados immigration office as members of the Barbados community. 

Email immigration@rossu.edu with any questions or to request an advising session. 

RUSM is not responsible for the compliance or processing of immigration documents for non-students. Companions will be classified as a visitor on the island. Dependents will need to ensure that they comply with student enrollment requirements on the island. Both of these statuses and the processes can be planned directly with the Barbados Immigration Office.  

All visitors to Barbados are responsible for knowing the length of time on their visitor visa and work to extend this status accordingly. The Barbados Immigration Office has notified RUSM that visitors will receive an initial three (3) months of validity for their stay. The time of the initial validity is at the discretion of that office. 

As these policies can change at any time, visitors should discuss the length of their visitor visa upon arrival into Barbados while speaking with an immigration officer. It is the responsibility of the visitor to facilitate this compliance with the Barbados Immigration office directly. 

Please contact immigration@rossu.edu if you would like an advising session to support planning. 

Yes, continuing medical sciences students can choose to live on-campus or arrange off-campus housing for the duration of their time on island. Incoming new students, though, are required to spend their first semester at RUSM in RUSM Housing. Please note Housing Grants are not applicable to students who choose to live off campus.

The RUSM Housing process for the September 2022 term will be opening up soon. Please watch for communication from the Housing team outlining the process and important deadlines. When the September 2022 Housing portal opens, you will need to complete the Housing Application, confirming your intention to continue living with us in RUSM Housing. Should you wish to request a change in assignment for the fall semester, kindly update your application accordingly. We will try to accommodate if possible. If you intend to move out of RUSM Housing for the fall 2022 term, please indicate this on the housing application.  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Housing team at housing@rossu.edu.

The RUSM Housing process for the September 2022 term will be opening up soon. Please watch for communication from the Housing team outlining the process and important deadlines. When the September 2022 Housing portal opens, you will need to complete the Housing Application. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Housing team at housing@rossu.edu.

Students must complete the Housing Application indicating that they are living off campus. Afterwards, students are to complete the Express Check-Out Form and return all issued keys including the mailbox key. Once your new address is confirmed, please update your address in your Housing Application and your My Ross Account.

Housing assignments are shared by the Office of Student Housing one (1) week prior to your arrival on island.

Yes, you and your long-term companion(s) have options when it comes to student housing. Students who are coming with one non-student companion will be assigned to shared companion housing within a co-ed living environment. Students coming with two or more companions could apply for an entire home for your family (a 3-bedroom unit)

For those who have opted to move into RUSM Housing, we will make every attempt to keep you in the same home throughout your time on the island. While we can’t fully predict what the future will bring when creating housing assignments, we will try to do so giving us the best chance of avoiding future reassignments/moves. If you wish to move units during your time in Barbados, you will have the opportunity to request a new housing assignment during an announced Room Change Period. Further information regarding the Room Change Period will be communicated with you via The Office of Student Housing.

COVID-19 Mitigation: We have implemented numerous safety protocols as part of our COVID-19 mitigation plan, including: 

• Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination
• Hand-sanitizer stations 
• Reduced capacity of common spaces 
• Mandatory face masks indoors (optional outdoors)
• Physical barriers in student service areas 

Hurricane Preparedness: As a medical school located in the Caribbean, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is in a region known for experiencing tropical activity. Knowing the serious potential of these events, RUSM maintains a comprehensive Hurricane Response Plan with protocols established to help before, during and after a weather-related event. Learn more about hurricane preparedness here.

Positive COVID-19 cases are reported to the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness, in accordance with local government regulations. After evaluation by the Ministry and depending on the severity of symptoms, you may be referred to a government healthcare facility, allowed to isolate at one of the approved RUSM isolation houses at Coverley, or at your home. 

If at any point in the semester you are exposed to the virus or test positive and are approved to “home quarantine” by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, our goal is to be able to temporarily house you at one of the vacant homes in Coverley designated for quarantine or isolation, or you may stay at your home if your housemates agree. This will also allow us to monitor your health and safety and check in on your wellbeing.

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please email our COVID-19 Mitigation Team at bbrusmcovidmitigationteam@rossu.edu. We also ask that you contact your Student Care Advisor at rusmscateam@rossu.edu.

Please review the Barbados Travel Guidelines for more information.

Occupants are required to wear masks while on the bus. We are partnering with bus companies to ensure they are following CDC guidelines for proper cleaning of the shuttles. 

The RUSM Safe App is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Medical care and/or medical emergencies for students in quarantine homes will be managed by the Coverley Medical Center. Positive COVID-19 patients will be referred to a government healthcare facility. Our COVID-19 Mitigation team will also perform periodic checks on students who are located at one of the RUSM isolation homes.

For larger items or larger quantities of items, it may be more cost effective to ship a container or barrel. Students have used companies like Tropical Shipping and King Ocean Services in the past, which ship out from Miami.  

For smaller shipments, Aeropost and Ezone are popular services. These eCommerce companies allow you to purchase and ship from multiple retailers to Barbados. They handle shipping from the US, clearance through customs, and local delivery. FedEx International is also an option for shipments to and from Barbados. 

Students living in Coverley Village should address their items using the following example:

• Name: John Doe
• Address Details: house number, village, Coverley Villages, Christ Church, Barbados, BB17091
• If contact details are requested, please include phone number and email address.

Example:

• #6 Gooseberry
• Coverley Villages
• Christ Church, Barbados BB17091
• Contact details: 1 (Area code) 123 4567, myname@domain.com

All students are expected to complete and submit their online Fall 2022 Academic Check-in form by 5:00 pm AST on Sunday, September 4. The Academic Check-in form will be issued by the Office of the Registrar as an online survey via SurveyMonkey. Please check your email to access and complete the form. This is a required activity, separate from the On-Campus Check-in requirement.

Students who do not complete both Academic and On-Campus Check-in may be subject to Administrative Withdrawal and will not be enrolled or will be unregistered for the Fall 2022 term. Please contact the Office of the Registrar if you have questions.

All students are expected to physically check in at the start of each semester. To be considered on time, you must complete Campus Check-in by the end of the first day of classes on Monday, September 5. Campus check-in must still be completed as soon as possible if approved for late arrival.  This is a required activity at the start of each semester and is separate from class registration/enrollment as well as Academic Check-in that also needs to be completed at the start of each semester.

To complete the Campus Check-in, simply swipe your ID card at either the LESC campus entrance or Coverley Administrative Building 1 or 2 between August 30 - September 5. Please ensure that the swipe is recorded by watching for the light indicating the door has been unlocked. 

Students who arrive after September 5 should complete Campus Check-in within 24 hours of their arrival to Barbados/the conclusion of approved Short-Term Personal Leave or Emergency Leave of Absence.

Yes, most students will need to complete both Academic and Campus Check-in. Students who arrive late should complete Academic Check-in by 5:00 pm AST on September 5 and then complete Campus Check-in as soon as they arrive in Barbados. This includes students who have an approved late arrival, short-term personal leave and/or emergency leave of absence. Students who do not complete both Academic and Campus Check-in are subject to administrative withdrawal for the Fall 2022 term.

Yes, but please be aware of several travel and quarantine logistics. You can view the Barbados COVID-19 pet protocols here. First, you will need to complete the required Pet Import Form for Barbados. Also, if moving into RUSM housing, please ensure that you have requested a pet friendly unit. 

Note if you are required to isolate after testing positive for COVID-19 upon arrival, pets are not allowed at RUSM's isolation houses in Coverley. If isolating with RUSM, you will be required to stay in a pet friendly approved isolation hotel. Please review the resources on the Visit Barbados website to identify approved hotels and confirm you are able to isolate with your pet before booking a reservation. Alternatively, you could also board your pet upon arrival if required to isolate.

If you are currently in Barbados, you can have your annual physical, lab tests, and vaccinations if needed done at the Coverley Clinic. Procedures such as the physician health assessment, PPD test, or chest x-ray will require an appointment. Do not procrastinate in making an appointment with the clinic to complete these requirements. An appointment can be made by calling the clinic via WhatsApp at 1 (246) 356-9039 . They accept Aetna Insurance, our student carrier.   

If you are currently not in Barbados, please do not wait to complete your health requirements. Find a local provider who can perform the needed exam/lab tests and get them done as soon as possible. The Aetna Student Insurance can help you find a provider in your area.  

You should check with your individual insurance on whether services are covered in Barbados at Coverley Medical Center. Note that you may need to pay Coverley Medical Center out of pocket and submit for reimbursement with your insurance company.

As a university dedicated to preparing physicians, the health and well-being of all our students, colleagues and the larger community are of utmost importance to us. To ensure we’re all doing our part to prevent the spread of common communicable diseases, we require students to provide up-to-date health documentation. These standards are set in alignment with our clinical partners and are common preventative health measures that are expected throughout your academic journey with us. Starting in the September 2022 semester, all students will be required to be compliant with the required health documentation in order to participate in community clinic visits (including service learning) as part of your Clinical Skills course. Compliance is necessary to help ensure your safety and the safety of those around you during these activities.

Noncompliant items (outdated or incomplete) in your Medical Science package on Complio should be submitted no later than Monday, August 1, 2022, to ensure these are reviewed and approved before the start of the September 2022 term.

Please reach out to RUSM’s Medical Sciences Health Compliance Team at  MSHealthDocs@RossU.edu for assistance.

You can also find resources to help with your Health Documents and Background Check requirements on the RUSM Student Timeline - Health Document Page (login required). 

Unfortunately, we have seen several instances where students mailed their fingerprints to IdentoGO without creating an account, with incorrect VECHS ORI number designation (Employee instead of Volunteer) or mailed the fingerprint card to the wrong address. If IdentoGO does not have an account for you by the time they receive your fingerprints, the card is destroyed. If Employee is selected, instead of Volunteer, the report will not be generated correctly and will not be received by RUSM. Please order the correct VECHS package in Complio first and then follow these instructions to ensure you successfully complete your background check. 

• Non-Florida Resident Fingerprint/background check process
• Florida Resident Fingerprint/background check process   
• Barbados Fingerprint/background check process

It’s possible to have your fingerprints completed in Barbados, but this is a very time-intensive and expensive process. If you are currently not in Barbados, we strongly encourage you to complete your fingerprints before travel.