TRINIDAD-Trinidad and Tobago want a quick review of visa restrictions by the United Kingdom.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—The Trinidad and Tobago government reiterated its ‘disappointment” Friday at the United Kingdom’s decision to impose visa restrictions on nationals from the oil-rich twin island Republic with immediate effect.

CARICOM and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne, speaking on a local radio program, gave the impression that Port of Spain might have been blindsided by London’s decision, even as he acknowledged that the UK had given 48 hours’ notice before making its position public.

“We were given two days notice. On Monday of this week, the government of the United Kingdom conveyed correspondence to the government of Trinidad and Tobago informing of the imposition of a visa regime beginning on Wednesday of this week,” Browne told radio listeners.

“Yes, there was some notice, but just two days, which is insufficient time, certainly when dealing with friends about this import. Their decision had already been made and was simply conveyed to us in those circumstances.

“So, I don’t need to tell you that there is a long history between the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago…and we have strong, productive, positive ties over the years, resulting in connections with the diaspora”.

Browne said that in addition to family members and people with medical conditions, many students study in the United Kingdom. “London is also an important transit point for Trinidad and Tobago nationals seeking to go further afield or proceed to European destinations.

London said that Trinidad and Tobago nationals would need a visa to travel to or transit the UK, including on short visits, and to travel to the UK for the purpose of work, study, and settlement.

“There will be a six-week transition period until 15:00 on 23 April 2025, during which visitors who booked their travel and obtained an ETA (electronic travel authorization) before the changes can still enter the UK without a visa. There is also a transition period for passengers transiting via the UK to an onward destination,” London said in its statement.

The British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, John Dean, said the UK regularly reviews its visa and immigration policies to ensure they remain effective.

“On this occasion, there has been a significant increase in the number of unjustified asylum applications by Trinidad and Tobago nationals at the UK border. Unfortunately, the actions of a small minority have meant that our ministers have had to take the difficult decision to introduce a visa requirement”.

The British diplomat said there will be a short transition period until April 23 this year for visitors with a firm booking and an ETA.

“I understand many of you will find this news disappointing, so I wanted to explain it to you personally. Of course, here at the British High Commission, we will continue working with our friends and colleagues in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen our partnership.”

The British Home Office has reported a ninefold increase in asylum applications from the Caribbean Islands. It said claims rose from an average of 49 annually between 2015 and 2019 to 173 in 2022 and 348 in 2023. There were a significant number of 439 claims in the last year alone.

Browne said that he is scheduled to meet with Dean later on Friday “and will present the government’s formal protest of this visa imposition.

“In this case, the government of the United Kingdom did not leave it to us in this country to speculate as to their rationale for imposing the visa regime.

“They said it in their correspondence, and the High Commissioner said it in public communication; it is because, in their view, there has been an increase in unjustified asylum applications.

“The government of Trinidad and Tobago does not see this as a logical or supportable justification for basically punishing and inconveniencing …potentially an entire population. We are of the view that other measures can and should be taken. We have always been disposed to working very closely with our UK counterparts to resolve or solve any challenges they may face with their immigration system”.

Browne said it is in the interest of Port of Spain to work with London and that he has already indicated to the UK authorities “our eagerness to share with them additional intelligence information concerning passengers who are moving…and to help resolve any burden …”

The CARICOM and Foreign Affairs Minister said that it has become clear to Trinidad and Tobago that the asylum application system in the United Kingdom “might also benefit from some attention from their authority because, as it stands now, basically anyone can arrive in the UK from any country, throw their hands up in the air and say I am applying for asylum and that automatically triggers a process that by which for an extended period they become a ward of the state there….

“And so we know there is an internal debate in that country. It is in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Labour government is under some pressure …but this response is not proper, and it is very disappointing.

“Friends can disappoint each other sometimes, and we are very disappointed. We are committed to working with them to review this decision immediately. They said they will keep it under review, and therefore, today, I will be going through several possibilities with the High Commissioner”.

Browne said while the government here had been taken by surprise by the short official notice from London, Port of Spain had been meeting with British officials, including a team from the Home Office, “very, very recently, where we did discuss several observations including the issue of asylum, etc.

“The issue of visa imposition was not raised, the prospect was not suggested, and there was no collaboration around that matter,” Browne said, noting that while he would not use at all the language that Port of Spain was “slapped in the face” by the UK government, “we are deeply disappointed.

‘We are formally protesting that particular decision, and we hope that by the engagement of diplomacy, the strengthening of our technical contact between our intelligence services and our counterpart immigration authorities, the underlying trigger for this decision as presented by the government of the United Kingdom can be appropriately resolved…”

Browne acknowledged that while there may be issues “on our side to be addressed, there is a considerable weakness and loophole on the United Kingdom side, which can be addressed and resolved, and the people of Trinidad and Tobago should not be expected after all these years to pay such a high price.”

He said a ticket to London is already costly and to be saddled with an “exorbitant and unfair burden” related to acquiring the visa.

He said the Cabinet had discussed the issue, and the government is deeply concerned and wishes to see a review …as soon as possible.

‘We have to be firm, and we have to be clear, this is not something that fits well with Trinidad and Tobago at all,” Browne said, aware of a “small minority abusing the loophole” and thereby affecting the entire country.

“It does not seem propionate, it does seem logical, and it does not seem fair, and it is not the type of exchange we would expect between close friends,” Browne added.