Nationals of St.Kitts and Nevis wishing to travel to Canada will now have to obtain a Canadian visa in order to travel there. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett issued a statement on Friday and was the special guest on Freedom Fm on Monday to explain the new process involved in securing a visa to travel to Canada.
The Government of Canada has shared with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis the fact that, effective November 22, 2014, citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, like the citizens of the vast majority of Caribbean nations and the citizens of some 147 countries, will now travel to Canada on visas issued by the Government of Canada.
St. Kitts and Nevis nationals in good standing travelling to Canada between now and November 24, 2014 will be granted a temporary resident permit upon arrival in Canada, free of charge.
Visa applications will be processed by the Canadian High Commission in Trinidad & Tobago. However, it will not be necessary to travel to Port-of-Spain to apply for a visa. Applications can be made on-line, by mail, or in person. Processing will be completed within two weeks, and visas of up to 10 years will be issued.
Minister of Immigration and Foreign Affairs, the Hon.Patrice Nisbett on Monday’s edition of Good Morning St.Kitts-Nevis,gave a report on the new Canadian Visa requirement, and spoke on our country’s immigration policy in general, and changes that we have made to our St. Kitts and Nevis passports in particular.
The key changes regarding the latter, in summary, are as follows:
(i) Effective February, 2014 any name changes made by a St. Kitts and Nevis passport holder has been reflected on the passport’s observation.
(ii) Effective July 2014, all passports issued by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis have had the place of birth printed in the passport.
(iii) New St. Kitts and Nevis passports are being issued which will replace any passports in existence which may not indicate the place of birth.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will continue to review our Nation’s Immigration policies in the months and years ahead, and will make whatever changes the Government deems necessary to advance the interests of our Nation.
And the Government will continue to work with the Government of Canada to maintain and strengthen the positive relations which have long characterized relations between that nation and ours.
Minister Nisbett made it clear that the visa requirements were in keeping with the international thrust towards border security in the fight against international terrorrism, and the desire by Canadian officials to act in the best interests of Canada.
Nisbett rejected and dismissed the propaganda and charges made by the opposition Team Unity that the Canadian government authorities have evidence that people with ties to terrorist organizations and organized crime are using the easily obtained St. Kitts passport to avoid immigration screening.