Trinidad Tobago describes the UK's new visa requirements for tourists at Twin Island State as a disproportionate and disappointing response to the issue of false asylum applications.
Trinidad and Tobago Nationals previously could visit the UK without a visa, but only required the electronic travel approval (ETA), which was introduced in January for all visa-exempt nations.
However, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that people from Trinidad and Tobago are participating in the nationals of two other federal Caribbean countries, both Jamaica and Dominica.
The decision reportedly came after a nine-fold increase in asylum applications from the Trinidad and Tobago Nationals, claims rose from an average of 49 from 2015-2019 to 439 last year.
Dr. Amery Brown, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Currycom, Trinidad and Tobago, told local media that UK behavior was disproportionate. He said: “The move is within the scope of their rights as sovereign states, but we don't see it as a proportional response to what the British authorities have told us. This was the observation that a relatively small number of Trinidad and Tobago nationals misuse the UK's immigration system by processing ETAs in the usual existing processes, and then suddenly arrives after the asylum to apply it.”
He added: “We are expressing disappointment with the new visa requirements and will continue to be consistently involved with our UK counterparts. We are not the idea that regular travelers to the UK should be negatively affected by the relatively small number of people trying to abuse the UK's immigration system.”
A statement from the UK High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago confirmed that the changes will come into effect immediately, but there will be a six-week transition period that will continue until April 23rd.
The statement said its relationship with Trinidad and Tobago remains “strong and friendly.”
“The UK's high commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago,” said John Dean, the UK's high commissioner, “The UK's stakes are a great opportunity to see the world.” We understand that travel is important for family, business and cultural connections. The introduction of visitor visas is designed to support safe and secure travel while ensuring that the UK border remains protected.
“The UK High Commissioner for Port Spain has worked closely with the UK government to arrange for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals to apply for visitor visas from their homes. We remain committed to welcoming visitors and look forward to continuing strong relationships between people. As a precious federal partner, Trinidad and Tobago remains an important part of the UK's global community.”
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Rodney Charles, an opposition lawmaker and former permanent representative of Trinidad and Tobago, said the announcement on Wednesday sent the message that the country was “more agile, intentional, subtle, subtle and refined.”
He added: “As reported, almost 800 citizens attempted to “abuse” the UK immigration system over the past two years, impacting the remaining 1.4 million immigration situation. In the relentless geopolitics of the Trump era, we all have to keep in mind the fact that even individual actions can have national consequences. ”
