ROSEAU, Dominica – The Dominica government Thursday described as “unfortunate” the decision of the United Kingdom government to impose with immediate effect a visa regime on Dominica and several other countries.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressing the nation after United Kingdom imposed visa restrictions on Dominicans (CMC Photo)“We are appreciate that at this time the imposition of visa requirements will create an inconvenience for many of our citizens who visit the UK for vacation, to visit family and who transit the UK frequently, this however does not prevent Dominicans from traveling to or through the United Kingdom. Dominicans are still welcome in the United Kingdom,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a radio and television broadcast on Thursday.
London said the decision to impose the visa requirements on Dominica, Honduras, Namiba, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu” has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons and is not a sign of poor relations with these countries.
“Any decision to change a visa regime is not taken lightly and we keep our border and immigration system under regular review to ensure it continues to work in the UK national interest.”
In statements to Parliament on Wednesday under the heading ”Changes in Immigration Rules,” both the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Suella Braverman and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Migration and Borders, Lord Murray of Blidworth, said nationals of these countries will also be required to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa if they intend to transit via the UK.
They told legislators that “careful consideration of 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”.
Dominica is among a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries with a Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI) through which foreign investors are granted citizenship of the island in return for making substantial investment in the socio-economic development of the country.
In his broadcast, while Prime Minister Skerrit described the decision by London as “ unfortunate,” he said nonetheless that it will not permanently hurt the island.
Skerrit said that every country has a right to continuously review its own immigration policies and attitudes to address what it sees as contemporary challenges, and indeed opportunities. We have done the same and will continue to do so.
“The decision of the United Kingdom to suspend visa free access to the UK for holders of passports from a number of countries, including Dominica, must be understood in that general context.”
He said that the British government has made it clear that this decision to suspend visa-free access, does not represent a deterioration of relations between the two countries nor is it indicative of any diplomatic or other fall out.
“They have cited concerns with our CBI program and I wish to assure the Dominican people that several changes have already been made to the structure and management of our program and in the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to implement additional measures to strengthen the program.”
Skerrit said that his administration takes this matter “very seriously and will increase our efforts in showcasing our robust due diligence and risk mitigation efforts on all fronts”.
He said Dominica has some of the most proactive and robust due diligence processes and vets everyone looking to attain second or alternative citizenship in the country.
“This vetting process is multi-layered and handled by top rated due diligence agencies based in the United Kingdom and the United States,” he told the nation, adding” Dominica has taken the lead in this region in seeking regional coordination on the various CBI programs and in discussing ways to safeguard all of these programs.
“Our nation implemented the six CBI principles proposed by the United States, including implementation of mandatory interviews for applicants 16 years and older for its Citizenship by Investment Program.”
He said this step highlights the country’s commitment to cooperating with international stakeholders and increasing due diligence processes, with the aim of reducing threats posed by illicit actors.
“As a Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Dominica has used funds from its CBI program to address the devastating impacts of climate change on our island, to boost our self-reliance – transforming our economy, driving growth, enhancing our climate resilience and empowering local communities.”
Skerrit said that at a recent US-Caribbean round table, it was noted that dismantling CBI programs would severely compromise the prosperity and prospects of the nations that run these programs, triggering a plethora of negative socio-economic consequences.
He said the Caribbean has been taking a proactive approach in addressing international concerns about CBI programs and that Dominica has been very cooperative, implementing a number of measures to clamp down on unsavory characters who may want to use the programs as an entry point to countries such as the United Kingdom.
“The level of inspection that takes place as part of the due diligence process is so high it leaves very little chance for undesirables to be accepted without suspicion. Checks happen on the ground, online and now in-person thanks to the mandatory interview that must take place,” Skerrit said, adding “we will continue to evolve our due diligence processes, as we are already doing, to ensure that they not only meet international standards, but alleviate any security concerns.
“We have fresh impetus to go back and re-look where we can do even better in terms of giving our international counterparts confidence in our security measures, which are already some of the most robust in the world when compared to other jurisdictions.”
He said the government has since engaged the services of a European-based entity that will come in to do a comprehensive review of the entire program.
“We will continue to engage the United Kingdom on the matter, as we will do with other nations, like those of the European Union and with the United States.
“Much like the EU, the UK is in the midst of setting up its own Electronic Travel Authorization program When implemented later this year, anyone entering the UK who does not require a visa, will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization to enter the UK.”
Skerrit said that to reiterate their desire not to impede the efforts of Dominicans resident at home to enter and transit the United Kingdom, the British government has instituted a program where it shall accept applications online and set up office on demand here in Dominica to allow applicants to submit their biometrics and to finalize their applications
He said Dominicans who do not reside in Dominica, can also request entry visas at UK consular offices nearest to them.
“We continue to remain engaged with the rest of the world, punching above our weight in international fora, and lending our leadership in promoting some of the key global issues of the day, including that of climate change, investing in alternative energy and advocating for greater fairness in the global economic space,” Skerrit said.
He said his administration shall continue to invest in people whether it is through housing, bolstering the health sector or expanding more educational opportunities, the extension of the Douglas Charles Airport while it ushers in the construction of a new international airport.
”Those investments have a direct link to our Citizenship by Investment Program,” Skerrit said, adding “our development agenda is a Dominica agenda in the pursuit of an even more caring society, and we will continue to place our people first as we continue towards realizing a truly Dynamic Dominica.
“Dominica is resilient. Dominica is a fighter. As a national and as a government we shall do what we must, to protect and promote the interest of our resident and diasporic communities,” he told the nation.
