Table Of Contents
- Shift from ETA to Visitor Visa
- Reason cited by the UK’s Home Office for the Change in Rules
- Reaction from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
- What about those having ETA
- Transit Visa for the people of Trinidad and Tobago
Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, the twin island, need to apply for a visa to visit the UK. They can no longer use ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to visit the UK. The UK’s Home Office announced on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, that people from Trinidad and Tobago need a UK visitor visa to visit the UK as tourists from immediate effect.
Shift from ETA to Visitor Visa
Before January 2025, people of Trinidad and Tobago could visit (for up to 6 months) the UK visa-free. This rule changed in January 2025. From 8 January 2025, people from Trinidad and Tobago required an ETA to travel to the UK for up to 6 months.
The requirement of ETA introduced in January was for all visa-exempt nations. However, within little more than 2 months, the UK’s Home Office has decided to change its immigration rules for the people of the twin island. Now, they, like other visa nationals, will also be required to apply for a UK visitor visa to enter the UK as tourists.
Reason cited by the UK’s Home Office for the Change in Rules
The main reason behind introducing visa requirements for the people of Trinidad and Tobago is that many people come to the UK as tourists only to seek asylum here.
Against this backdrop, the UK’s Home Office made the decision with concerns about the rising numbers of asylum applications from Trinidad and Tobago nationals. The asylum claims made by the people of Trinidad and Tobago between 2015 and 2019 averaged 49 per year. This number touched 439 last year.
Reaction from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
The government of Trinidad and Tobago described the UK’s decision as disproportionate and disappointing. Trinidad and Tobago’s minister of foreign and CARICOM affairs, Dr. Amery Browne, told the media that Britain’s decision was within their rights as a sovereign nation, but he is disappointed with the decision.
The UK authorities conveyed to him their observation about tourists from the twin island. The UK observed that people from the twin islands were coming to the UK as tourists but suddenly applying for asylum after arriving in the UK.
He was of the view that though people misusing the UK’s immigration law is a matter of concern, only a small number of people are doing it. Hence, the UK’s response of introducing a visa requirement for all people coming from Trinidad and Tobago was disproportionate.
What about those having ETA
Despite the change in immigration rules, there will be a six-week transition period until April 23, 2025. Those having an ETA already can arrive in the UK with an ETA before 23 April 2025 if both of these apply:
- They booked their journey before 12 March 2025.
- The booking was for a journey arriving in the UK before 23 April 2025.
They will have to prove their booking when they travel and when they arrive.
Their ETA will be canceled if they travel to the UK after 23 April 2025.
The people already in the UK with an ETA can stay here as long as they follow the rules of the ETA.
Transit Visa for the people of Trinidad and Tobago
From now on, people of the Twin Islands transiting through the UK would also require obtaining a direct airside transit visa.