Gov’t imposes visa restrictions on Dominica

LONDON (CMC):

The United Kingdom government on Wednesday announced that it is imposing, with immediate effect, a visa regime on Dominica, Honduras, Namiba, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.

London said the decision to impose these visa requirements “has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons and is not a sign of poor relations with these countries. Any decision to change a visa regime is not taken lightly, and we keep our border and immigration system under regular review to ensure it continues to work in the UK national interest”.

In statements to Parliament on Wednesday under the heading ‘Changes in Immigration Rules’, both the secretary of state for the Home Department, Suella Braverman, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Migration and Borders, Lord Murray of Blidworth, said the policy would go into effect from 3 p.m. (local time).

“We are today imposing a visa requirement on all visitors from Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. Nationals of these countries will also be required to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa if they intend to transit via the UK, having booked travel to another country,” the two British lawmakers said.

They told legislators that “careful consideration of Dominica’s and Vanuatu’s operation of a citizenship by investment scheme has shown clear and evident abuse of the scheme, including the granting of citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK”.

Dominica is among a handful of CARICOM countries with a Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI), through which foreign investors are granted citizenship of the island in return for making substantial investment in the socio-economic development of the country.

In the statement, the two UK lawmakers said that “arrangements are in place so that the nationals of these countries can apply for visas”.

“We are also publicising the changes so travellers are aware and can plan accordingly. There will be a four-week, visa-free transition period for those who hold confirmed bookings to the UK made on or before 1500 BST July 19, 2023, where arrival in the UK is no later than August 16, 2023.

“We have arrangements in hand to provide visas for diplomats from these countries currently working at the embassy in London,” they said.