Dominican and Other Passport Holders Now Need a Visa to Visit the UK
On 19th July 2023, Suella Braverman, the UK Secretary of State announced that effective from 3pm BST on 19th July 2023, nationals from Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu, must now apply for a standard UK visit visa in order to be granted entry clearance to the UK for the purposes of visiting.
This announcement marks a noticeable shift for these nationals, as prior to this announcement, such nationals were able to visit the UK for a period of up to 6 months without having to apply for a visa.
In the statement, the Secretary of State gives the following reasons as to why these changes are being implemented:
- Dominica’s and Vanuatu’s operation of a citizenship by investment scheme has shown clear and evident abuse of the scheme, including the granting of citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK.
- From Honduras and Namibia there has been a sustained and significant increase in the number of UK asylum applications being made by these nationals, who have abused the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals in order to claim asylum. As such, Namibians and Hondurans rank first amongst non-visa nationals for asylum claims. These high numbers are unsustainable, contributing significantly to operational pressures which have resulted in frontline resource being diverted from other operational priorities.
- Lastly, there has been a sustained increase in the number of Timorese nationals arriving at the UK border as non-genuine visitors, often with the intention to fraudulently claim EU Settlement Scheme status as dependants or to work illegally in the UK.
Already have a trip to the UK planned?
If you are a national of any of these countries, and already have a trip planned to the UK for the purposes of visiting, there is a transitional arrangement in place.
Those who hold confirmed bookings to the UK which were made on or before 3pm BST 19th July 2023, and where arrival in the UK is no later than 16th August 2023, you will still be permitted to enter the UK as a visitor without having to apply for a Standard Visitor’s Visa.
You may be required to produce evidence of your booking to Border Force officials upon your arrival.
If you have booked a trip to the UK before 3pm BST 19th July 2023, but will enter the UK after 16th August 2023, you will need to make an official visit visa application.
Requirements for a Standard UK Visit Visa
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.
You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months.
To obtain a visit visa, it is necessary to meet the eligibility requirements.
These include showing that:
- You’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
- You’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- You’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
- You have evidence that supports that you will leave the UK once your trip has ended
What you can and cannot do (‘permitted activities’)
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:
- for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
- to see your family or friends
- to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
- to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
- for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
- to take part in a school exchange programme
- to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
- to study, do a placement or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
- for medical reasons
You cannot:
- do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
- claim public funds (benefits)
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership – you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa
The current cost of a Standard Visit Visa is £100. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
The current processing time is that a decision should be made within 3 weeks.
If refused, there is no right to appeal or to apply for administrative review.
If these changes affect you, or if would like assistance on applying for a visit visa to the UK, please contact our specialist immigration team at Descartes Solicitors. Call Descartes Solicitors today at 0208 995 3556 to speak to a friendly member of our team.
By Tiffany Carpenter