According to current data from Passport Index, Surinamese nationals can visit all fifteen Caribbean countries in the regional ranking without applying in advance for a regular visa at an embassy or consulate. Some destinations do, however, require electronic admission procedures or other conditions before travel.
The regional selection includes Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
This specifically concerns the fifteen countries measured by Passport Index in this regional comparison. The result does not mean that Surinamese passport holders can automatically travel without a visa or travel authorisation to every country and territory in the Caribbean. Separate entry rules may apply to, among others, Dutch, French, British and American overseas territories.
Different periods of stay
The permitted length of stay varies by destination. According to the Suriname Passport Dashboard, Surinamese travellers may stay for up to 180 days in, among others, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Dominica. A maximum stay of 90 days is listed for the Bahamas, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
For Saint Lucia, the overview states a period of stay of 42 days, while a maximum of 30 days is indicated for the Dominican Republic. For some destinations, an electronic immigration form, e-visa or electronic travel authorisation must be requested before departure.
Saint Kitts and Nevis also uses, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country, an electronic travel authorisation and a digital immigration and customs form. Such registration does not necessarily amount to a regular visa, but may still be mandatory before someone travels to the country.
Global score may change
Upon consultation on September 10, 2026, Passport Index assigned the Surinamese passport a mobility score of 86. This placed Suriname in a shared 57th position in the Passport Power Rank 2026. The Surinamese passport ranked lower in the Individual Passport Power Rank.
The two positions should not be confused. The Passport Power Rank groups countries with the same mobility score, while the individual ranking uses additional factors to assign each passport a separate position.
The previously mentioned 107th place for Suriname is not supported by Passport Index’s current rankings and has therefore not been included in this article. The data are also updated in the interim, meaning scores and positions may change.
Limited access to Europe and North America
Although Surinamese passport holders can travel relatively easily to various Caribbean and South American countries, a visa remains necessary in advance for many European and North American destinations. This applies to, among others, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
By contrast, Surinamese nationals can travel visa-free to China and Japan for short stays. China permits holders of an ordinary Surinamese passport to stay visa-free for a maximum of 30 days. The exemption does not apply to, among other things, work, study, journalistic activities or long-term stays.
The reciprocal visa exemption is stated by the Chinese Embassy in Suriname and the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
Japan has also included Suriname in its official visa exemption arrangement. According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Surinamese travellers can in principle travel to Japan without a visa for a short stay of up to 90 days.
Rankings use different methods
The position of a passport may differ between international rankings. Passport Index by Arton Capital includes several forms of access in its mobility score, including visa-free access, visas on arrival and certain electronic admission arrangements.
The Henley Passport Index uses a different methodology and is based on travel data from the International Air Transport Association. Figures and positions from both rankings therefore cannot be compared directly.
Travellers are advised to always check the current conditions of the destination country and the airline before departure. A visa exemption does not provide an automatic right of entry. Border authorities may also impose requirements regarding the validity of the passport, the return ticket, the address of stay, available financial means and any electronic travel forms.
