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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The British government on Wednesday announced that it is imposing, with immediate effect, a visa requirement for Trinidad and Tobago nationals wishing to travel to or transit through the United Kingdom, including for short visits.
London stated that this is in addition to existing requirements to obtain a visa for travel to the UK for work, study, or settlement.
“There will be a six-week transition period until 15:00 on 23 April 2025, during which time visitors who booked their travel and obtained an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) before the changes can still enter the UK without a visa. There is also a transition period for passengers transiting through the UK to an onward destination,” London said in its statement.
There has been no official response yet from the Trinidad and Tobago government regarding this latest development.
However, 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 authorisation scheme, and those planning to transit through the UK will now need a direct transit visa. In any country, including the UK, security—including 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 led our ministers to make the difficult decision to introduce a visa requirement.”
The British diplomat noted that there will be a short transition period until 23 April this year for visitors with a firm booking and an ETA.
“I understand many of you will find this news disappointing, which is why I wanted to explain it to you personally. Of course, here at the British High Commission, we will continue working hand in hand with our friends and colleagues in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen our partnership.
“As part of that, we want you to continue travelling to the UK as much as Brits travel to Trinidad and Tobago to experience the best of both countries,” he added.
Trinidad and Tobago remains a perennial favourite among British holidaymakers, with thousands flocking to the islands each year.
According to government statistics, almost 300,000 people arrived in Trinidad and Tobago by air or sea in 2024—a figure that rises to nearly half a million when cruise ship arrivals are included.
The British Home Office has reported a ninefold increase in asylum applications from the Caribbean islands. Claims rose from an average of 49 per year between 2015 and 2019 to 173 in 2022 and 348 in 2023. In the last year alone, there were a significant 439 claims.
Earlier this week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated that she would be tabling an amendment to the Government’s Border Security Bill that would require asylum seekers to repay the cost of housing them in hotels under a student loan-style scheme.
Under the proposed law change, support for asylum seekers would be provided as a loan rather than a gift. The amendment would grant the Home Secretary the authority to cap the maximum amount that can be loaned to asylum seekers in any given year.
