DNO: The UK government has announced today (Wednesday 19 July) that, with immediate effect, all Dominican nationals will require a visa before travelling to the UK, including to visit.
The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all Dominican nationals seeking to enter the UK. However, there will be a four-week transition period until 15:00 BST 16 August. During this window, only visitors who booked their travel before 15:00 BST 19 July, will still be able to enter the UK without a visa.
The decision to bring in a visa regime on Dominica is in response to concerns relating to its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) scheme. Visit visas are an important tool in reducing illegal migration, tackling organised crime and protecting national security, and this decision has been made to ensure that the visa system continues to operate as effectively as possible.
Acting British High Commissioner to Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia and St Christopher & Nevis, Charley Williams, said:
“The UK and Dominica enjoy a close relationship and our governments work together on a range of international issues. The UK is proud of the important role we have played in Dominica’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Maria, including through the United Kingdom Caribbean Investment Fund and Climate Resilience Execution
Agency Dominica.
“Today’s announcement is a response to our long-standing concerns about Dominica’s Citizenship By Investment programme and the risk it poses to the UK.
The changes will bring Dominica in line with many other visa national countries around the world with which the UK has strong and friendly relations. They do not change our commitment to the relationship between our countries or to
Dominica’s future. Visas provide access to the UK while helping to secure the UK border.” Visa applications are submitted and paid for online at VFS Global, after which applicants book an appointment to provide their biometrics and hand over their passport. The UK Government aims to process applications within 15 UK working days of receipt of the passport and biometrics. Applicants can apply up to three months in advance of travel.
A temporary UK Visa Application Centre where travellers can submit their passports and provide biometrics will operate regularly in Dominica. The first session is scheduled to run at Fort Young Hotel, Victoria Street, P.O. Box 519, Rosseau Dominica on 26 and 27 July, 1, 2, 8 and 9 August, depending on demand, with the aim of allowing applicants to receive their visas before the end of the transition period on 16 August, and with further sessions
planned.
The cost of a six-month multiple entry visa for the UK can be found at: Visa fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Longer validity visas are also available.
Dominican nationals who booked travel to the UK before 15:00 BST 19 July will still be able to enter the UK without a visa until 15:00 BST 16 August. Any passengers arriving after 15:00 BST 16 August will require a visa to enter the UK regardless of when their travel was booked. Anyone booking their flight after 15:00 BST 19 July will also need a visa, even if they arrive before 15:00 BST 16 August.
Dominican visitors already in the UK will not be affected by the new requirement for the remainder of their visit, but once they leave the UK, they will need a visa in order to enter the UK again.
In line with standard UK practice around the world, the British High Commission in Bridgetown will not be able to issue visas, receive applications or provide advice on individual needs or applications. Those needing advice should check GOV.UK for guidance. Find a visa application centre – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
no King Charles
No free entry
Please…I refuse to believe that this is about CBI. This is just the UK and Europe trying to control.
Wait man…..The Cannabis industry will be their next target. Just you wait. They don’t want us Independent….They want us to continue to be dependent and begging for handouts.
They going roll these visas out for all CIP islands shortly. Thanks ALP and UPP.
The Citizen by Investment Programme (CIP) has been abused and misused, and not all countries using it have not policed the CIP with due diligence.
Antigua continues to use THIRD PARTIES to vet those who have applied for this controversial programme.
I’m hoping that the ABLP government has made sure that everything regarding CIP has been implemented and done in the correct manner.
… accountability is one sure thing of concern, but not vetting the applications for homeland security is a very serious breach.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT OBTAINING MONEY AT ALL COSTS FOR THE TREASURY.
Everyone securing their country unlike ANTIGUA who jus let anyone in …. I wonder if Antiguans go to these 5 world countries to live permanently…..has an Antiguans ever?
CIP crime Infested persons is what it really means and I believe that decision came after the DOMINICAN was arrested in Antigua after he was flagged
Shitty Antigua is where fraudulent investors wash their monies as long as the PM getting his off the top!
I do not know how accurate the information is but I have heard through normally reliable sources that the United Kingdom Government is poised to suspend visa free waiver for a number of Caribbean countries. Dominica was just announced with St Lucia to be announced in August and Grenada in September. In a similar vein, I am told that Antigua and Barbuda and St.Kitts & Nevis are poised to follow in October and November. Again I do not know the accuracy of this information but my source tells me it is on the cards.
I will be more than happy when that happens. You’re always here disregarding Jamaicans because they can’t go to England as if Antigua is UK son.
@ Audley Phillips, it looks like your reliable source is correct:
http://writeups24.com/caribbean-nationals-will-require-a-visa-to-travel-to-the-uk-starting-from-dominica/
From December 2023, Antiguans will require a visa to travel to the UK – this is an outrageous turn of events, following on from similar actions by Canada.
Gaston Browne must speak out about this indignation to the UK’S Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in the strongest of terms possible, and get him to reconsider this move immediately!
IF GASTON BROWNE IS NOT UP TO IT, FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN …
… Our Prime Minister was warned to pull the plug on CIP (Europe was always watching us), and look dey now, Gaston’s stubbornness has effected all of us …
RESIGN! RESIGN!! RESIGN!!!
I wonder which country is next?
Hmm..
Very interesting indeed!!
DOMINICA NOW,WHO WOULD BE NEXT? Countries must protect there Borders.Antigua and Barbuda do like wise.By protecting your borders,you would be protecting your Citizens.
Colonial rule. We will continue to make excuses when or former colonial masters dictate to us what we should do. Or doors are still open to them but they continue to restrict or movement into their country. They are using CBI as the scapegoat. Time will tell.
We’ve had months of warnings.
This is another warning for us.
Either we drop it, or make the requirements for CIP more stringent.
Me PM, time to work for the ppl again. Get with your cabinet and secure Antigua and Barbuda” best interest. A visa restriction like this is a major blow to every citizen her e
The sad part in all this is that those responsible for this … is not included in the requirements; because who no hab green passport hab red and we, the innocents have black.
Very unfair when the sins of … have to be paid for by the innocents.
What’s the big thing? It is not like they are banning people from entering the UK if they want. Just apply for a visa like we do to visit the US, Canada, Australia and the rest. From 2024 US citizens will require a visa to visit European countries just like the rest of us.
Two weeks ago according to Loop News St Maarten kicked out 10 prostitutes because they had overstayed their time. One was a Surinamese with an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
Antigua & Barbuda will be next. In fact I’m surprised that this didn’t happen to A & B before Dominica. The Antigua Airways fiasco should have triggered it.
Well Trudeau told the Antigua and Barbuda Government what the requirements are for Canada to revoke the visa from Antigua and Barbuda and up till now the Antigua and Barbuda Government has done nothing. So that is saying they really don’t care about the citizenry. Government suppose to make things easy for its citizens, but it’s like the black prime minister and ministers don’t give a damn.
This is not only about national security, it’s about topping up the treasury. Therefore we (the Caribbean) should do the same. Our governments need to grow some balls and impose visa requirements on any country that requires us to have one. Don’t believe for a minute that they won’t pay to visit the paradise we live in. Look at how much our citizens spend on visa application fees. I say what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Best comment I have seen..yes..so true..I agree 100 %
Comments are closed.