BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE United Kingdom has imposed visa requirements on holders of St. Lucia’s passports with immediate effect, citing a growing number of asylum claims from nationals of the island.
The announcement was made yesterday (Mar. 5) morning during a news conference by UK Home Office Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who said the new restrictions will affect both visitors and transit passengers from Saint Lucia and Nicaragua.
The move forms part of a broader crackdown by the government in United Kingdom targeting countries with high asylum rates, with additional visa programmes also being suspended.
“Today, I can announce that I’m suspending certain visa routes for a further four countries – Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan – where abuse has been unacceptably high. I will also impose visit visas on Nicaragua and St Lucia, as their visa-free entry has created a backdoor into this country,” she told reporters.
In a statement issued after the announcement, the Government of St. Lucia said it had received formal communication Wednesday (Mar. 4) about the decision to introduce the new visa requirement. The measure also applies to “direct airside travellers transiting through the UK to another destination.”
The government said the decision was taken as part of the UK’s broader efforts to strengthen border management and respond to mounting pressures within its immigration and asylum systems.
According to officials, the new visa requirement took effect at 11:00 a.m. yesterday. However, a six-week transition period will run until 12:00 p.m. on April 16.
During that period, travellers who already have Electronic Travel Authorisation and booked their flights prior to the announcement will still be able to enter the UK visa-free if they arrive before the end of the transition window.
“The Government of St Lucia acknowledges that this development will be of concern to many Saint Lucians, including those who travel to the United Kingdom for family visits, business, education, and tourism,” the statement read.
The government added that it is continuing active diplomatic engagement with the UK and will provide citizens with guidance on the visa application process.
