UK Starts Visa Requirements for St. Lucians

UK slaps travel visa restrictions on St. Lucia, Nicaragua

Britain Introduces New Visa Requirements Amid Political Pressure

By Sarah Peter and Sarah Morland

CASTRIES, March 5 (Reuters) - Britain has introduced a visa requirement for citizens of the small Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia and the Central American country of Nicaragua, as its government looks to tighten rules amid pressure from the populist Reform UK ​party.

Government Statement on Visa Policy Changes

"Their visa-free entry has created a back-door into our country," Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a press conference on Thursday, without giving more details.

Key Data on Visa Changes and Migration

St. Lucia's Response and Migration Statistics

• St. Lucia's government said it was informed in a letter dated a day earlier of the changes going into effect on Thursday, which cited a "notable increase" of St. Lucians claiming asylum.
• St. Lucia, a former British colony, has a population of about 180,000. Last year, the World Bank estimated a net emigration of just 23 people.

UK Asylum Applications and Country Rankings

• Some 100,625 people claimed UK asylum last year, but most applications were refused, Home Office data showed.
• Pakistan, Eritrea and Iran led applications, but no data was given for St. Lucia or Nicaragua, which did not make the top 20.

What's Next for St. Lucia and Nicaragua

Diplomatic Engagements and Transition Period

• St. Lucia's government said it was actively engaging with British government and would continue talks to "explore pathways for maintaining strong mobility arrangements."
• Authorities in Nicaragua, which had net emigration of 8,731 people last year though many head for the U.S. or neighboring Costa Rica, did not immediately publish a comment on the measure.
• Previously, citizens from both nations needed a 16 pound Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. Current ETA holders will have a six-week transition period.

Key Context: Political and Historical Background

Immigration Policy and Political Sensitivities

• Immigration is one of Britain's most politically sensitive issues, and Prime Minister Keir ​Starmer's government has sought to show it is tightening the system as the populist Reform UK​ party gains ground in opinion polls.

St. Lucia's Commonwealth Status and Historical Rights

• St. Lucia is a member of the Commonwealth, an association of mostly former British colonies. Before the 1970s, nationals of many of these had the right to live and work in the UK.

Recent UK Visa Restrictions for Other Countries

• On Tuesday, Britain said it would block study visas ‌for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan and halt work visas for Afghans.

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Sarah Peter and Sarah Morland; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez)