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Basseterre, St.Kitts (November 4th, 2018):- St.Kitts-Nevis Citizens  can now submit applications for visas at the Canadian High Commission in Barbados, in addition to Trinidad and Tobago. The announcement was made by the Canadian government on November 2^nd, when they issued a release which highlighted the expansion of its worldwide network of Visa Application Centres (such as the Canadian High Commission in Barbados) to facilitate an increase in the number of non-nationals applying for Canadian visas.

This is further good news for Nationals of St.Kitts-Nevis who in 2014 lost their Canadian  Visa Free access after the Canadian government withdrew the privilege citing the then Dr. Denzil Douglas led Administration’s management of the CBI Programme and associated security concerns. The withdrawal also came just months after an Iranian was stopped by Canadian Immigration with a Diplomatic St.Kitts-Nevis passport which he stated was bought by him for US$1MILLION from authorities in St.Kitts . This raised significant eyebrows with the Canadian government and eventually led to the removal of the long held Visa Free access of St.Kitts-Nevis Passport Holders and Citizens.

The welcomed recent announcemnent of Barbados as a secondary option for Canadian Visa Application  comes just months after the US Government announced US Visa Renewal Interview waiver for St.Kitts-Nevis Nationals. The waiver saves SKN Nationals the money, time, effort and hassle of going to Barbados to renew the US Visa.  The ability for SKN Nationals to go to Barbados rather than Trinidad creates a much more economical and convenient option for St.Kitts Nevis citizens  wishing to obtain Canadian Visas. This is more good news for the Twin Island federation as the new Dr.Timothy Harris led Team Unity Administration there continues to rebuild the countrys Interntional image which had taken a significant hit within the waining years of the Dr. Denzil Douglas regime.

On a recent trip to Canada, St. Kitts and Nevis Foreign Affairs minister the Honourable Mark Brantley met with many high ranking Canadian officials. Among this group was Canadian minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen. Canada is a top strategic priority in the St. Kitts and Nevis foreign policy. Recognizing this, it was important that Minister Brantley made this trip to discuss ways to further their relationship, most important, visa-free travel to Canada for citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.