Tweet

Effective January 8, 2025, nationals from several Caribbean nations, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago, will be required to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the United Kingdom. This new policy marks a significant shift for Caribbean travelers, who currently do not need visas or ETAs to enter the UK.

The ETA, while not a visa, is mandatory and must be completed prior to travel. It is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to enhance border security and better manage international entry. Caribbean nationals traveling for business, leisure, or transit purposes will now need to follow this process to gain entry into the UK.

While the exact details and steps for applying for the ETA are yet to be fully outlined, the system is expected to be digital, making it easier for travelers to complete the authorization online before their trip.

The Caribbean nations impacted by this new rule include:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Grenada
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Guyana
• Trinidad and Tobago

Beyond the Caribbean, several other countries will also be affected by the ETA requirement. Here is the full list of countries whose nationals will need to complete an ETA before entering the UK:

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. The Bahamas
5. Barbados
6. Belize
7. Botswana
8. Brazil
9. Brunei
10. Canada
11. Chile
12. Colombia
13. Costa Rica
14. Grenada
15. Guatemala
16. Guyana
17. Hong Kong (including British nationals overseas)
18. Israel
19. Japan
20. Kiribati
21. Macao
22. Malaysia
23. Maldives
24. Marshall Islands
25. Mauritius
26. Mexico
27. Micronesia (Federated States)
28. Nauru
29. New Zealand
30. Nicaragua
31. Palau
32. Panama
33. Papua New Guinea
34. Paraguay
35. Peru
36. Samoa
37. Seychelles
38. Singapore
39. Solomon Islands
40. South Korea
41. St Kitts and Nevis
42. St Lucia
43. St Vincent and the Grenadines
44. Taiwan (if passport includes a Taiwanese ID number)
45. Tonga
46. Trinidad and Tobago
47. Tuvalu
48. United States
49. Uruguay

As of now, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis, along with other Caribbean nations, has not yet commented on how this change will impact travel, tourism, or trade relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK High Commissioner are expected to issue formal statements in the coming weeks.

Caribbean nationals planning to travel to the UK in 2025 and beyond are advised to stay updated on the application process to avoid any disruptions to their travel plans.