On 12 March 2025, the United Kingdom Home Office announced changes to the visa requirements for travelers coming to the UK from Trinidad and Tobago. These changes will come into effect immediately.
Citizens from Trinidad and Tobago will now need to attain the appropriate travel visa for their travels to the UK. This includes travel for tourism, business, and visiting friends and family. Furthermore, citizens from Trinidad and Tobago who are transiting through the UK on their travels to another destination will need to apply for the Direct Airside Transit Visa.
Previously, these citizens were eligible for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme, enabling visa-free travel to the UK. Citizens from Trinidad and Tobago who already have the ETA can continue to use it for visa-free travel until 23 April 2025.
The announcement was made in a 135-page statement addressing numerous immigration rule changes, including updates to the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme and the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Seema Malhotra, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship, confirmed in a statement that the decision to reintroduce visa requirements for citizens of Trinidad and Tobago “has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons.” She also confirmed that arrangements are already in place for these citizens to complete the visa application process.
The Home Office hopes that these changes will reduce the rise in Trinidad and Tobago nationals traveling for non-permitted purposes and claiming asylum at border control.
