PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC -The Trinidad and Tobago government expressed its disappointment Wednesday at the United Kingdom government’s decision to impose, with immediate effect, a visa requirement for Trinidad and Tobago nationals wanting to travel to or transit the UK, including on short visits.
London said that this is in addition to the established requirements for obtaining a visa to travel to the UK for the purpose of work, study, or 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.
But, CARICOM and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Amery Browne said that while London is within its right to take such action, “we do not see it as a proportionate response to what UK authorities conveyed to us, which was their observation that a relatively small number of Trinidad and Tobago nationals were misusing the UK immigration system by being processed for an ETA in the normal existing process and then suddenly applying for asylum after arrival.
“We are not of the view that regular travelers to the UK should be negatively affected by a relatively small number of persons who have been trying to abuse the British immigration system,” Browne added.
The British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, John Dean, said the new requirement means that all Trinidad and Tobago nationals “must obtain a visa” to travel to the UK.
“Trinidad and Tobago nationals will no longer be eligible to travel under the electronic travel authorizations scheme, and those planning to transit the UK will now need a direct …visa. In any country, including the UK, security and border security must be our priority.
“We regularly review our 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, and that’s why 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.
‘As part of that, we want you to continue to travel to the UK as much as Brits do to Trinidad and Tobago to discover the best of both countries,” he added.
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.
and then 