STATEMENT IN UK PARLIAMENT ABOUT VISA FOR T&T

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Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will now have to apply for visas to visit the UK.  The UK Government says this is due to "a significant and sustained increase in asylum claims."  But this country's Foreign Minister calls the move "disproportionate."  Juhel Browne reports.

Transcript

00:00Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago will now have to apply for a visa to visit the UK.

00:05The UK government says this is due to a significant and sustained increase in asylum claims.

00:11But this country's foreign minister calls the move disproportionate.

00:15Jule Brown reports.

00:18From today, the 12th of March 2025, we are introducing a visitor visa requirement

00:23for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago travelling to the UK.

00:27This means that all Trinidad and Tobago nationals must obtain a visa before travelling to the UK for all visits.

00:34It was the surprise announcement by the UK's High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, John Dean,

00:40that raised major concerns across the Twin Island Republic.

00:44On the UK's Parliament's website, there is a written statement by the Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship,

00:52Seema Malhotra, which was delivered to the UK Parliament on Wednesday, stating,

01:08High Commissioner Dean also spoke about that issue.

01:11On this occasion, there has been a significant increase in the number of unjustified asylum applications

01:17by Trinidad and Tobago nationals at the UK border.

01:21Unfortunately, the actions of a small minority have meant that our ministers

01:26have had to take the difficult decision to introduce a visa requirement.

01:31There will be a short transition period until the 23rd of April 2025

01:36for visitors who already have confirmed travel booking and an electronic travel authorisation.

01:42The UK Under-Secretary for Migration then emphasised this decision to introduce a visa requirement

01:48has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons,

01:52as she added that the UK's relationship with its Commonwealth partner, Trinidad and Tobago,

01:57remains a strong and friendly one.

02:00Caricom and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amy Brown said in a statement to TV6 News on Wednesday,

02:05that this move is within their rights as a sovereign nation,

02:09but we do not see it as a proportionate response to what UK authorities convey to us.

02:15Minister Brown also told TV6 News that the government is not of the view

02:19that regular travellers to the UK should be negatively affected

02:23by a relatively small number of persons who have been trying to abuse the British immigration system.

02:29Opposition leader Kamala Prasad Bissessa said in a statement,

02:36who are running their criminal operations in Trinidad and Tobago from the UK.

02:42The opposition leader believes these asylum seekers are trafficking drugs

02:46and issuing hits on persons in Trinidad from the UK.

02:50Mrs Prasad Bissessa said the opposition finds no joy in this announcement

02:55and is concerned about the thousands of citizens and businesses who will be impacted.

03:00The UK's Under Secretary said in her statement,

03:03that any decision to change a visa status is not taken lightly

03:07and that the UK keeps the border and immigration system under regular review.

03:12Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign Minister told TV6 News that the government

03:16has indicated its disappointment with the new visa requirement

03:20and will continue its consistent engagement with its UK counterparts.

03:26And the process for this country's nationals applying for UK visas

03:31will involve a fee for each category in US dollars.

03:35For example, according to the UK government's website,

03:39an application for a short-term up to six-month single or multiple entry

03:43has an application fee of US$154.

03:47An application for a longer-term UK visa valid for up to two years

03:52will cost US$580.

03:56And an application for a longer-term UK visa valid for up to five years

04:01will cost US$1,035.

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