UK visa shock – Security concerns trigger travel change for Trinidad and Tobago citizens

GOVERNMENT and other people have expressed concern about a decision taken by the UK government, requiring all TT nationals to have a visa before they can travel to the UK.

Information provided by the British High Commission suggested some of those seeking asylum could be people with criminal records and their families.

In a statement on March 12, the British High Commission said, "The decision to introduce a visa requirement has been taken due to a significant increase in the number of TT nationals coming to the UK as visitors only to claim asylum on arrival, constituting a misuse of the immigration system."

The commission said TT-UK relations remained strong and friendly.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and the UK government regularly reviews its visa and immigration policies to ensure they remain effective."

The commission said, "The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all TT nationals travelling to the UK.

A requirement for transit visas will also be introduced from midnight on March 13.

The commission said, "However, there will be a six-week transition period until 3pm on April 23, during which time visitors who booked their travel and obtained an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before the changes can still enter the UK without a visa."

The commission added, "There is also a transition period for passengers who are transiting via the UK to an onward destination.

British High Commissioner Jon Dean said: “The changes announced today align TT with many other visa national countries with which the UK shares close and friendly ties."

He added, "We understand that travel is important for families, businesses, and cultural connections. The introduction of visitor visas is designed to support safe and secure travel while ensuring the UK’s borders remain protected."

The commission said it had worked closely with the UK government to put in place arrangements that allowed TT nationals to apply for their visitor visas at home.

"We remain committed to welcoming visitors and look forward to continuing the strong ties between our people."

In an explanatory memorandum presented to the UK Parliament on March 12, the Home Office said, "TT’s visa status will be kept under review; particularly with regards to whether the visa introduction affects the number of individuals claiming asylum from within the UK and the internal security situation in TT."

TT has been under a state of emergency since last December.

The memorandum said, "A majority of asylum claims from nationals of TT were made at port on arrival in the UK. This adds significantly to operational pressures at the border, diverting staff from other priorities."

The document also said there had been a significant increase in nationals of TT who had travelled to the UK for purposes that were not permitted under the immigration rules for visitors, such as to live, work or claim asylum in the UK.

"In particular, there has been a sustained increase in asylum claims by nationals of TT."

In the most recent eight quarters (2023 Quarter 1 to 2024 Quarter 4) there were 79, 111, 55, 108, 73, 56, 106 and 209 asylum claims (including dependants) from TT nationals.

The document said, "This compares with an average of 49 asylum claims per year between 2015 and 2019."

In January, Newsday asked the High Commission if TT nationals applying for asylum in the UK had gang affiliations.

The commission's political, press and public affairs officer Andre Blackburn said, "We do not routinely comment on individual cases. It is our long-standing policy that we do not comment on operational intelligence or security measures."

The UK Government’s priority, he continued remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK.

"Furthermore, a foreign national who has been convicted of an offence that has caused serious harm, who is a persistent offender or who represents a threat to national security may be considered for deportation, where it is conducive to the public good."

Blackburn said, "The UK is committed to using the full range of powers available to disrupt them."

In response to the commission's statement, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne said, "This move is within their rights as a sovereign nation, but we do not see it as a proportionate response to what UK authorities conveyed to us, which was their observation that a relatively small number of TT nationals were misusing the UK immigration system by being processed for an ETA in the normal existing process and then suddenly applying for asylum after arrival."

He added, "We have noted that their decision to reintroduce visa requirements will be kept under review."

Browne said, "We have indicated our disappointment with the new visa requirement and will continue our consistent engagement with our UK counterparts."

He added, "We are not of the view that regular travellers to the UK should be negatively affected by a relatively small number of persons who have been trying to abuse the British immigration system."

Newsday understands the minority of people targeted were people with criminal records and their families.

Government officials did not confirm this.

Newsday also sought clarification from the British High Commission whether this decision also pertained to British territories outside of the UK.

There was no response from the commission.

A senior police source that specialises in gangs told Newsday alleged members of the Rasta City gang called "Seven" have been fleeing to the UK since March last year.

Newsday understands that an alleged gangleader and several of his aides from the Beetham Gardens flew to the UK and then sent for his family members, including minor children.

The police source said they did not have an accurate total of those who fled and are gang-affiliated.

"Our numbers and the UK numbers have not been matching up. Therefore, we do not have an accurate tally of the number of people across there. We are working on getting an accurate figure."

He explained police had been keeping tabs on the gang since the inception of the Trinibad movement – a localised dancehall genre of music that involves the portrayal of guns, drugs and gang life.

"The police started informing other Caribbean islands of this. That's why certain artistes are now banned from specific islands."

He noted a flaw within the system that allowed people with criminal histories to leave the country.

"We have no laws banning people who have charges from leaving the country. Once they obtain their passport and the ticket, they can leave.

"It is on whatever country they go to, this case the UK, to accept these people."

He said UK authorities did not consult with TT intelligence when the alleged gang members entered the UK.

"It was only when we were making checks for these individuals locally we realised they were not here.

"When we checked with immigration that's how we knew where they were."