Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: Sean Fraser, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, announced that qualifying residents from St Kitts and Nevis can now have access to arrive in Canada Visa-free.Â
He mentioned that the St Kitts’ residents who have owned a US non-immigrant or Canadian Visa from the past decade are qualified for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
The Canadian High Commission also issued a letter to Barbados, mentioning that members of CARICOM (The Caribbean Community and Common Market), including St Kitts and Nevis and its fellow countries are an integral part of Canada.Â
Both countries have had strong and deep mutual ties for several past years. As a friend and partner, Canada observes that it is essential to simplify and expand the travelling between both countries. It’s another step by the Canadian administration to strengthen ties with the Twin Island Federation.
As per reports, a sum of thirteen Caribbean countries, including St Kitts and Nevis, can comfortably travel to Canada by Visa-free access. The decision made by the Canadian Minister of Immigration is expected to boost tourism in Canada and Caribbean countries.
The announcement of Visa Free travel for St Kitts and Nevis to Canada was officially made public on June 6, 2023, by Canadian Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser during his visit to Winnipeg (Canada). Â
While addressing this, he emphasizes that newly imposed regulations will allow the people of St Kitts and Nevis to get rid of holding Temporary Residence Visas (TRV) from thirteen countries while travelling to Canada.
Minister Fraser underlined that newly imposed regulations have made travelling easy. Still, the traveller must carry a non-immigrant visa from the United States of America or a Canadian Visa from the past decade. In addition, he mentioned that new regulations also made the pretravel screening process easier and faster. The process is expected to become smoother and less hectic for travellers.Â
Along with St Kitts and Nevis, here is the list of Caribbean and other eight countries that can now travel Visa-free to Canada following the announcement made by the Canadian Immigration Minister on June 6, 2023-
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- St Vincent and Grenadines
- Antigua and Barbuda
The other Eight Non-Caribbean Countries are-Â
- Argentina
- Panama
- Philippines
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Uruguay
- Seychelles
- Thailand
The citizens of these above-mentioned countries no longer require a Visitor Visa or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada following the changes made by Canadian High Commission on June 6.Â
New regulations deliver another advantage for the residents of the countries mentioned above as they can stay in Canada for up to six months for leisure and business purposes.
The people of St Kitts and Nevis expressed their joy after the news of free Visa travel to Canada got public. It was a relief for St Kitts and Nevis populace as the new regulations eliminated all unnecessary struggle, and they could easily travel to different regions of Canada to pursue their goals related to education or employment.
Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, also expressed his happiness regarding the decision made by the Canadian Government. He appreciated the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, for taking another step forward, strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations and supporting the people of St Kitts and Nevis.
Minister Drew mentioned that both countries conducted numerous talks related to various crucial matters. The Visa requirement on the Twin Island Federation has been lifted partially, easing the travel process for the people of St Kitts and Nevis.
He stated that both governments countries cooperate in order to make further advancements and move towards progress.