United Kingdom re-imposes visas on Vanuatu, other nations

Vanuatu passport holders travelling to the UK can no longer go visa-free. Photo / 123rf

By RNZ

The United Kingdom has re-imposed its visa requirement on Vanuatu and four other nations.

All visitors from Vanuatu, Timor-Leste, Dominica, Honduras and Namibia now need a visa.

Britain’s Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said any decision to change a visa regime was not taken lightly.

“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,” she said.

“The decision to impose these visa requirements has been taken solely for migration and border security reasons and is not a sign of poor relations with these countries.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Photo / AP

“We keep our border and immigration system under regular review to ensure it continues to work in the UK national interest.”

Braverman said arrangements were in place so the nationals of those countries could apply for visas.

There would be a four-week, visa-free transition period for those who held confirmed bookings to the UK made on or before the new rules came in this week, as long as their arrival in the UK was no later than August 16.

“We have arrangements in hand to provide visas for diplomats from these countries currently working at the embassy in London,” Braverman said.

The minister said nationals of those countries would also be required to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa if they intend to transit via the UK, having booked travel to another country.

The Vanuatu-based Daily Post reports Vanuatu had visa-free travel while the United Kingdom was part of the European Union.

- RNZ