PORT OF SPAIN: 15TH MARCH 2025
Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs met with His Excellency Jon Mark Dean, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) to Trinidad and Tobago at the Ministry’s headquarters on 14th March, 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to present the position of Trinidad and Tobago on the decision of the United Kingdom to impose a visa requirement for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago seeking to travel to the United Kingdom, and to outline a way forward.
Minister Browne took the occasion to make a formal complaint about the visa imposition on our nationals, and included reference to the lack of appropriate notice and the absence of a truly collaborative approach from the United Kingdom toward solving their asylum-process observations.
The High Commissioner of the United Kingdom confirmed that the specific reason for the imposition of the visa requirement was an increase in asylum seekers from Trinidad and Tobago, and gave explanation for the lack of notice.
The Minister expressed concern about the adequacy of the transitional arrangements, as such arrangements are already adversely affecting nationals who have made plans and reservations to travel to or transit through the UK. Both officials reviewed some specific cases and examples.
The High Commissioner acknowledged that the imposition of the visa requirement was sudden, advised that his team would seek to provide as much public guidance as possible during and beyond this initial period, and emphasized that the visa-imposition would be reviewed during the course of this year.
The Minister proposed and High Commissioner agreed that both sides would work collaboratively towards an action plan in an effort to address the situation that led to the imposition of the visa requirement, and to seek avenues for a lifting of the visa regime as soon as possible.
