In a recent announcement, the United Kingdom has decided to suspend visa-free travel for nationals from five countries, including Dominica. The other countries affected are Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu.
As of July 19, 2023, holders of Dominican passports will be required to obtain a visa to enter and transit through the UK. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Suella Braverman, stated “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”. The UK government continually reviews its border and immigration system to safeguard its national interest.
During a four-week transition period following the announcement, nationals of these five countries who already have confirmed bookings to travel to the UK can still enter without a visa. However, those initiating new bookings after the new rules take effect will be denied entry without a valid visa.
It is worth noting that just before the UK’s decision, Dominica had taken steps to enhance its citizenship by investment program’s security protocol. They introduced mandatory personal interviews for applicants as part of a broader effort to tighten the program’s security and due diligence. This move was in response to a security agreement reached between the US and five Caribbean nations aimed at enhancing the security of their citizenship by investment programs through various measures.
Despite losing visa-free access to the UK, Dominica passport holders still maintain visa-free privileges in other desirable destinations, such as the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
