Change of visa rules from 15th January to 15th May 2007

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:55 pm

thats indeed bad news. please kepp us posted how things are working out for all the nations not on the list, so we can keep our guests informed.
don't understand why all travellers have to get it and not only the ones who are actually travelling arround to watch the criket world cup.

don't let it spoil your holiday or the time looking forward to it! it is still worth coming here....

Maja M · Post by **Maja M** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:12 pm

I'm thinking about calling the embassy to speak with them about this matter. E-mailing them just seems useless. Although I don't know if a little pressure from me would help them change their minds

What I don't understand is why Germans don't have to pay for a visa but Scandinavians do. And just like you said Steve, why should paying tourists have to put up with this? Not only did I buy my ticket almost 5 months ago but it's a RETURN ticket and I'm staying in Tobago for less than a month.

This whole situation just made my day worse.

Roland Siebenhorn · Post by **Roland Siebenhorn** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:52 pm

It's because Scandinavia is full of Cricket hooligans!

(Just kidding)

You're right, the whole regulation makes no sense. I predict that only
a few tourists from Scandinavia, Switzerland or Austria will watch
a Cricket match, as this sport is not very popular there. (As well in Germany)

It would be very helpful if anyone who travel to Tobago within the next days could describe the situation at the immigration on Tobago.

Honestly, I don't think that they send you back on the same day if you
are without a visa. I am just imagining an arriving plane from Vienna and 80 % of the passengers are without a visa...... but nobody knows.....

Josef K. · Post by **Josef K.** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:57 pm

Maja M wrote:paying an extra 100USD. That money could have been spent on activities and good food.

... think it's not only the payment of 100USD (of course it makes more sense to spent them in tobago) ... it's more the kind of handling that makes it really fretful ...

- no response on email from Barbados High Commission in london
- want me to send my passport to london to get this visum?!
- send and pre-pay with a courier service for the return of my passport
.....

anyway for austrians i don't see any other solution or cancel
(here again the link for detailed instructions: http://www.caricomimpacs.org./index.php ... 3&Itemid=2)

Maja M · Post by **Maja M** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:13 pm

I just got off the phone with a nice lady at the embassy in London.
Now of course she gave me the sad news that I do require a visa since I'm from Sweden. She had no idea why and just said that this was a decision made my the Carib-countries and there was nothing she could do about it.

KLM is still telling me that I don't need a visa. I love how information in todays society is so accessable but no one still know squat!

I made some calls to national travel agencies to see how they are handelling the situation. They still haven't called back. One would think there should be some pressure put on the Carib-countries because of this stupid situation. Especially from travel-agencies who have alot to lose from something like this.

I'm just thinking about all the tourists that travel without the knowledge we have and what happens to them at arrival. I too would like some info on how the printed out visa will work for us informed on this matter. If the travel-agencies aren't informed how well is then airport security informed?

Maja M · Post by **Maja M** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:31 pm

Ok as you all can see I'm really involved here

Just spoke with a woman at another agency here in Stockholm that handles Carib-trips. She said that the Swedish Government and the entire tourist-association is involved in this. They're having a meeting in Barbados and discussing this matter. Seems bigger than I originally thought. Anyways, she said that the whole visa things is absurd and that they're doing their best to get rid of the thing.

They are at the moment advising their customers to fly to the Carib as usual and NOT to send passports to London to get a visa. If everyone did that they'd be flooded with passports and have no time to approve visas for everyone.

Johanna you're going on the 16th? Well the decision will be announced on the 15th so hopefully for you and the rest of us, the Carib-governments will come to the solution to get rid of the visas so we can travel as we meant from the start. With our pockets a bit heavier

Lina Mallon · Post by **Lina Mallon** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:03 pm

Ah that is great Maja. Hopefully you are right and they will realise that its all a bit bonkers and we can travel without visa's.

Johanna Y. · Post by **Johanna Y.** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 7:00 am

Yes, let's keep our fingers crossed and maybe it'll turn out good. I'll try to keep you guys posted once I'm in Tobago but since it's my first time there it may take a while until I get hold on to a computer.

Let's think positive and don't let this thing spoil our trips

.

Johanna

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:34 am

Johanna

There is a major meeting taking place in Barbados today to discuss the issue and decide what to do. This isn't a probablem peculiar to Tobago - it applies to the entire Caricom region of course. I doubt whether the officials in the Tobago House of Assembly had the remotest say on the issue. Nonetheless, I will post news as soon as I hear any.

Belqaid K · Post by **Belqaid K** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:40 am

Let's hope for some good 'ol international pressure

Johanna Y. · Post by **Johanna Y.** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:40 pm

Ok, the Finnish travel agencies have been informed about CARICOM visa. And I found the following http://content.ebookers.fi/media/pdf/caricom.pdf
So T&T have started to inform the right people. Unfortunately they are a little bit late for me and some others in order to get the visa as you are supposed to. Now I'll start waiting for the phone call from KLM... I'm sure it'll come...

Johanna

Allison Hagen · Post by **Allison Hagen** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:55 pm

We're traveling to both Tobago and Barbados. Do you think one visa will be valid in both countries, or will we have to pay $100 for each country?

Johanna Y. · Post by **Johanna Y.** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:07 pm

Hi Allison!

In my opinion you pay USD 100 just once, because from January 15th til May 15th T&T and Barbados (and all the other 8 countries) will be treated as one entry area.

Johanna

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:19 pm

Hi All

I've just heard that at the meeting in Barbados yesterday, the geniuses who dreamed up this wonderful scheme have decided to delay introduction of the visa until 1st February.

The good news! If you are are 12 years old or younger, you will still require the visa, but be exempt from paying the US$100.

What a lovely welcome the Caricom region is giving to visitors from non-cricket-playing countries.

Maja M · Post by **Maja M** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:08 pm

Steve,

do you know if this decision now is final or are they still debating on removing the visa entirely?

I leave for Tobago on the 23rd of January and head back home on the 7th of February. Does this still mean I have to get a visa or is the visa only needed on arrival?

Thanks

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 10:11 am

The following Press Release confirms the decision to delay the introduction of the CARICOM visa. Sadly, I don't think there's any chance of it being cancelled, Maja.

CARICOM visa delayed until February 1

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - Caribbean Community countries have agreed to delay the common visa policy for Cricket World Cup, Barbados Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced Thursday.

Mottley, who chairs the regional sub-committee on security for the tournament, said the visa requirement which was originally slated to come into effect on January 15 would now be delayed until February 1.

Mottley made the announcement following a special meeting of regional ministers of tourism in Barbados.

She said the tourism ministers had appealed to CARICOM heads to have the visa requirement delayed and the heads who met in emergency session in Trinidad last Friday had agreed to grant the extension.

The minister said it was also agreed that persons 12 years and under travelling to the World Cup from specified countries would still need visas but would be exempted from paying the US $ 100 visa application fee.

International visa issuing sites would be located in Toronto, New York; Miami in the USA; New Delhi, India; Sydney, Australia and London, England.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:26 pm

In last weeks Tobago News Orville London has axpressed his concerns over this matter so perhaps it may be resolved.
David

Lina Mallon · Post by **Lina Mallon** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:48 pm

I hope you are right. I am so worried they are going to send me home when I arrive.
we arrive on the 1st of Feb and the guy that rang me said there was no time to get it before I go.

Johanna Y. · Post by **Johanna Y.** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:55 pm

Lina, don't worry. I'm sure you can still get it at the airport. I'll let you know if I can find out something once I get there.

-J-

Maja M · Post by **Maja M** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:12 pm

Hey guys,

I'm sorry but I still don't get it and the Caricom website is giving me ambiguous hints.

Do I still need a visa even though I arrive before the 1st of Feb? (My holiday lasts from 23rd of jan - 7th of feb)

Thanks again

myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Change of visa rules from 15th January to 15th May 2007

Traveling to both Tobago and Barbados