UK Electronic Visa Application comes into effect for Vincentians

As of January 8, 2025, Vincentians will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom.

The ETA requirement for short-term visitors was first announced back in 2024, with a 2025-start date for a number of Caribbean territories, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Chargé d’affaires at the British High Commission, Bridgetown, Malcolm Geere, speaking in an interview on CBC TV 8 said the ETA is part of the process of “modernizing” the UK’s immigration policies.

“This is just a process of modernizing our immigration procedures. The idea is to make it a more streamlined experience for travellers entering the UK. So just want to stress, this is, this is not a visa.”

Geere added, that he hoped the ETA requirement does not act as a deterrent for people wishing to visit the UK.

“… all are always very welcome, so we very much hope this is not going to put [out] anybody on coming. It’s about streamlining and digitalizing the process, but it should provide an easier experience, because it means that our border control officers will have your passport details ahead of your visit,” he explained.

“ The reason that we’re rolling this out now in the Americas, this is phase two of the process we’ve already launched some time ago in Middle Eastern countries, and now we’re introducing this in the Americas. So that would be passport holders from the US, Canada and the Caribbean.”

The application is made for the ETA, through the gov.uk website, or the mobile app, and should be done 72- hours prior to travel.

The cost attached to the ETA is approximately EC$33.41, and is applicable to travellers who do not require a visa to travel to the UK and intend to spend six months or less in the country.