Dominica to benefit from new travel policy in Europe

Dominicans will soon be able to travel to a number of European countries without a visa under a new travel policy announced by the European Union (EU) earlier this week.

The policy falls under the Schengen Area Agreement which comprises the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

“In the current challenging economic climate we have to focus our efforts on supporting EU growth and visa policy as a powerful tool to increase tourism flows to the EU,” according to a statement from the EU in announcing the policy on November 7. “This is why, together with Vice-President Antonio Tajani, we adopted today a communication on how visa policy can spur economic growth in the EU, accompanied by a report on Local Schengen cooperation and by a proposal to grant visa free travel to 16 island nations.”

Travelers from Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to benefit from this policy.

Other countries benefiting from that move are Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and Timor Leste.

The move by the EU is to boost tourism arrivals to Europe which is being severely affected by the current economic climate and Dominicans will be able to travel for up to 90 days within member countries of the Schengen Area Agreement without having to show their passport when crossing borders.

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117 Comments

  1. June 9, 2013

    Good blog! I truly love how it is simple to browse.
    I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made.
    I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do! Have a great day and please excuse my poor english!

  2. December 10, 2012

    I’m looking forward to see my friend from Dominica in Europe! Now it’s almost impossible to get someone in…

    • Anonymous
      January 28, 2013

      Adam, i am looking forward to see my friend from Dominica in Europe too ;-) We will have a great time :wink: Adam, trust me :-)

  3. Anonymous
    November 16, 2012

    Only now……..

  4. November 12, 2012

    hey im from st.lucia and i’m visiting some friends in england. i want to go to france to visit a close friend but heres the thing i need to return to st.lucia to get a french visa then travel back to the france, i also have a friend in switzerland and i have to go to venezuella before to get a visa so the implimentation of this would be good and a bit more lenient on us. not saying that there may not be negative to it but i havent seen it and i aplaud those who are in the process of implimenting it and ill also like to know when it will be implimented so i can make use of it.

  5. budman
    November 12, 2012

    allu even have money to go to those places?

  6. DA USA
    November 12, 2012

    I hope the richer European countries will come to Dominica. You wash my hand and I’ll wash yours. It should be a two way street. The little monies we have, when we go to these European countries, we help build their economy. I hope they will come to visit to build our economy also. Already England did not do too much for the English Caribbean countries like the US did for the US Virgin Islands, and France do for the French Caribbean Islands. We just hope is not more exploitation that is coming. When you are small and poor, the rich always try to cook up ways to exploit the poor. Hope it is for the benefit of all and not selling ourselves for the devil in disguise. Keep hope alive.

  7. watch dog
    November 11, 2012

    Dominica will never go forward, the politiontions are uneducated, have no vision. How one can explain to me that members of the UWP said so much about this government, and today they are part of it. How loyal will they be. crazy Tee is another that said so much about the government to day he is one of the biggest fans. Wake up people. But again if you are uneducated then its difficult to get through you. This is why the government is stagnant and the country on a whole. Do you all see republicans being part of the democratic government. hah ha ha

    • maximum
      November 13, 2012

      now mayb u dont understand american politics but for ur own bit of info, americans go to the polls and after it all they have 1 president. have u ever heard of republicans and democrats fighting together to bring america down no matter what side the president represent? its time we dominicans forget about politics and party after we elect our government via polls and think of moving dominica to heigher heights and on a wider stage. we are quite fortunate to be between 2 french islands so i think its time we rip the little benefits that may b extended to us for what ever reasons.

    • Anonymous
      November 13, 2012

      “the politiontions are uneducated”… CHECK YOUR SPELLINGS before you begin to refer to anyone as being uneducated. FYI

  8. good news!
    November 11, 2012

    That’s some wonderful news, and so, I’ll be awaiting the final results and the effective date. I’ve visited Germany and Austria and they’re extremely wonderful!! I’d definitely recommend visiting Austria!

  9. shy
    November 10, 2012

    All you happy ,that’s a trick,nothing in this life is free.To get that visa they might have to screen you,no privacy.Europe want everybody under their web,probably the visa is a chip.Take your finger print.We struggle so much,why now.The puzzle is falling into place.Christ is coming soon.

    • watch dog
      November 11, 2012

      fool read the article they said without a visa uneducated dominican

      • shy
        November 12, 2012

        well i didn’t see the without visa part,but yeah fool all you self ban sort it’s for free.

    • french girl
      November 11, 2012

      all you too stupid give all you a good time all you find is a trap why can’t you people just accept the good things in life? gosh man

      • maximum
        November 13, 2012

        i so aggree with you. its time dominicans stop sit on their brain and cut their long tongues which always seems to drive them in trouble. travel, see the world and how difficult things can be elsewhere at the end of it all we can boast our wonderful island and how free and clean we live. lets welcome and enjoy all these opportunities extended to us cuz ther’s always another jealous country outthere waiting to mash things up thinking they deserve it all.

    • budman
      November 12, 2012

      the level of stupidity on this forum never ceases to amaze.

    • very true
      November 12, 2012

      one world government.

    • Frenchy
      November 13, 2012

      Shy, you make doomdoom seem like a Havard Professor. Can’t stop laughing. But on a serious note, this is seriously a good move. When the visa retsriction was removed for Antigua, Barbados and St.Kitts/Nevis I was really wondering why D/ca was not included. I travelled to France last Christmas because that is where my siblings reside and it really hurt me to have to travel to St. Lucia – LIAT fare, to get a visa just to spend 14 days. It was worth it since I hadn’t seen my sisters in over 3 years. But to me, it was totally unnecessary. And imagine just yesterday, I was thinking, if there was no visa restriction I would so return to France this Christmas. And now I am reading this. Music to my ears. I really hope that it comes through soon.

  10. strange
    November 10, 2012

    Europeans are going bankrupt so they want to increase their tourism sector by making it easier for travelers. thats the only reason. when they were thriving, they made it so difficult to enter. Bramm bram as Edo would say too little too late.

    • watch dog
      November 11, 2012

      well fool they are trying to boost their economy what are doing about yours.I know fight amongst yourselves

  11. bjr
    November 10, 2012

    true den

  12. Michael
    November 10, 2012

    Good news indeed! I hope we don’t screw it up.

  13. malabau
    November 10, 2012

    Everybody been brain wash, all wants to come to big US. Open up your mind Dominicans, its a big world, everybody wants to go to US and Martinique. Small island small mind.

  14. tourism major
    November 10, 2012

    france and germany here i come next year

  15. The truth
    November 10, 2012

    People are happy here? I don’t think they realise that the only reason is the current economic climate. They’re basically saying, now that there is no money to make from those countries in the EU they’re finally willing to let us spend huge sums to visit so that the little we have they can take it. It’s all good being able to go if you can afford it. But it is exploitation to those who cannot afford it and jump on the train. Working in those countries is super complex. Even if some people stay, they would find it impossible to get work without documentation. Then some would probably resort to criminal activity. Something they cannot get away with like in the Caribbean. My suggestion is to my people is to be smart in making the decision of going too fast.

    • watch dog
      November 11, 2012

      rubbish, thats why u will remain where u at

  16. Voicemail
    November 10, 2012

    It won’t be too expensive if you learn to utilise your resources. Travel to Paris from Guadeloupe or St Maarteen or travel to Holland or Germany, then rent a car and drive across borders to other EU States. The view and scenery is breathtaking, and takes you a tad bit longer but u get to see the places without spending a fortune. Alternatively, buy your self a train pass and “VOILA! Bob is your uncle” no need to complicate yourself and spend all that dough (money)…food cheap and good and wholesome..doh be trying to book in the Ritz….do what most people in the EU does..they footeh themsemselves on train or rent a car and they good to go….

    Seriously, good oportunity for our Dominican peopl..hope they make use of the opportunity and behave their back side (some that is).

  17. yes
    November 10, 2012

    Thank God for DLP Government because if Eddo was selling DA Passports under the UWP regime.

  18. GWADAMAN
    November 9, 2012

    I MEAN THEY ARE INCLUDED

  19. GWADAMAN
    November 9, 2012

    YES GUADELOUPE AND MARTINIQUE IS INCLUDED ALSO BECAUSE THEY ARE FRENCH TERRITORIES

    • Deleoncourt
      November 10, 2012

      Nope they are departement d’outre mer you will still only be able to go for 15 days not 90 the departement d’outre mers are not part of the european free travel space

    • bjr
      November 10, 2012

      they are not french territories my brother, but departments

  20. DESIE
    November 9, 2012

    THE NEXT LEVEL IS NEAR

    • Mc Carthy Marie
      November 9, 2012

      Actually Guadeloupe and Martinique are not included in the Schengen area – only France in Europe.Dominica already has visa free travel to Guadeloupe and Martinique although the system is quite complicated. However moves are afoot to ease up access to the Guadeloupe and Martinique.

  21. Observer
    November 9, 2012

    DNO, Can you find out when will that system of no visa requirement come on stream? I am planning to visit the Schengen states early next year.

  22. french teacher
    November 9, 2012

    finalement La France j’arriverai bientot!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Satelite
    November 9, 2012

    Does that include the UK?, I did nbot see that country mentioned above

    • Malatete
      November 9, 2012

      No, Gt. Britain is not a signatory to the Schengen agreement. There are still border controls between the U.K. and other E.U. member states.

      • Member States
        November 10, 2012
      • anonymous
        November 11, 2012

        We don’t need visa to travel to UK.

      • MORE TRUTH
        November 13, 2012

        WE DOMINICANS DON’T NEED VISA TO VISIT THE UK FOR 6 MONTHS.

    • senjobreed
      November 9, 2012

      UK not in the EU

      • Deleoncourt
        November 10, 2012

        UK is in the EU but they have an opt out clause out of the schengen agreement

      • Anonymous
        November 10, 2012

        UK is in the EU…and not all shengen countries are in the EU (for example switzerland)…do some research

      • The truth
        November 10, 2012

        Uk is in the eu. Jeez!

      • Malatete
        November 10, 2012

        Of course the U.K. is a E.U. member and U.K. citizens carry the E.U. type passport.However, they have neither adopted the Euro nor signed up to the Schengen agreement

      • bjr
        November 10, 2012

        nobody said that great britain isn’t a part of the EU,but. they aren’t a part of the schengem states

      • @ senjobreed
        November 10, 2012

        Yes, UK is part of the EU – European Union. However, UK did not sign on for the open border policy.

        In any event, Dominicans do not need a visa to travel to the UK.

      • Anonymous
        November 11, 2012

        The UK is part of the EU but is not part of the schengen agreement.

    • Mc Carthy Marie
      November 9, 2012

      Dominicans do not now need a visa to visit the UK.

  24. hard cur dominican
    November 9, 2012

    ok now please make it hard for foriegner to get our passport, please dont let this end up like traveling to canada.

    • person
      November 11, 2012

      i second that

    • maximum
      November 13, 2012

      im so in agrreement to that. we need a vibrant immigration enforcement team also.

  25. Anonymous
    November 9, 2012

    Great News!!! Finally!!!

  26. Roberto
    November 9, 2012

    Don’t push it for gwada. The same reason it won’t be for gwada and martinique is for the same reason that it won’t be for the US and also why it was not granted to certain caribbean nations. No need to get all indignant about it, we all know the reason why. No Dominican is going to Lithuania and decide s/he not coming back, and that they will just stay there without papers. let’s get real.

    • Londonican
      November 10, 2012

      Roberto, you can travel to Gwada or Martnik without visa for up to 15 days, I know because I did it this year.

    • bjr
      November 10, 2012

      what is your point really?

    • shy
      November 10, 2012

      Once you have french passport people ,you can go anywhere in europe.

  27. Pondera
    November 9, 2012

    Excellent move! Great opportunity for Dominicans!

    • Malgraysa
      November 10, 2012

      Prepare for exodus!

    • Soon Happen
      November 10, 2012

      Excellent move,Great opportunity for Domincans to migrate and provide clear reasons for our DFP[infiltrate DLP Gov’t) to replace them/us with………… fill in the blank hence resulting in re-ekection of the infidels.

  28. lucky
    November 9, 2012

    Good move…

  29. blessed baby
    November 9, 2012

    oooh luhhhh luhhhhhh
    la france!!!!
    j’arrive!!!!

    • Peeping Tom
      November 9, 2012

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  30. ah ha
    November 9, 2012

    Sounds good but the price of getting there is something else!

    • Malgraysa
      November 10, 2012

      You are right, very expernsive but desperate people will find the means. No visa required but we will still be interviewed in a separate line for non- E.U. citizens and asked to show that we have a return ticket, a place to stay and means of support.

    • shy
      November 10, 2012

      I could shake your big toe ,exactly.

  31. mouth of the south
    November 9, 2012

    Guada is place to go.. allu worrying about guada….

  32. Baba
    November 9, 2012

    It’s only a proposal so far..read the real news below….
    http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n291728

  33. Anonymous
    November 9, 2012

    am so happy my husband will not have to go st.lucia for schengen visa. thank you EU

    • Traveler
      November 9, 2012

      And going to Lucia ain’t cheap ( accommodation, food, taxi, boat or plane and $500+ insurance). I welcome this proposalnwith open hands

  34. philme
    November 9, 2012

    some will go and over stay and they will end it

  35. anon
    November 9, 2012

    u’ll need to think bigger, save your money go further, I am a citizen of the EU and guadeloupe has nothing its good to visit retire, think bigger.. go further, look at the list of countries thats available Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

    YET ALL Y’ALL ARE THINKING ABOUT IS FRANCE GUADELOUPE AND MARTINIQUE.. GROW UP IN THE MIND WOULD U PLEASE..

    • watch dog
      November 11, 2012

      stop being selfish fool

  36. kee
    November 9, 2012

    Travelers from Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to benefit from this policy.

    Other countries benefiting from that move are Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and Timor Leste.
    They did not mention Martinique or Guadeloup so they are obviously not included.

    • ah ha
      November 10, 2012

      U miss the point! Guadeloupe and Martinique are part of france. Therefore travel to the 2 islands will also be ok without a visa as long Aw it is for under 90 days.

    • sphynx
      November 10, 2012

      guadeloupe and martinique are part of france.departement francaicais d’outremer.they have european passports

    • MORE TRUTH
      November 13, 2012

      aNTIGUA, bARBADOS, sT.kITTS & nEVIS , & tHE bAHAMAS ARE ALREADY BENIFITING FROM THIS FOR YEARS NOW.

  37. possie........
    November 9, 2012

    yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss am so happy….next for we dominican to vist the us without visa ( P.m have to work on that too)

    • philme
      November 9, 2012

      this will never happen

      • watch dog
        November 11, 2012

        what a fool just like u would say there would never be a black president.

    • Anonymous
      November 9, 2012

      Keep dreaming buddy…….allu will go to BIM like everybody else and wait for visa………I

      • Traveler
        November 9, 2012

        It is ok to dream and some dreams do come true. Nothing is impossible.

      • watch dog
        November 11, 2012

        another looser

    • ideal
      November 9, 2012

      and canada too

    • malabau
      November 10, 2012

      Please, US doesn’t care about the Caribbean…

  38. 100 % Dominican
    November 9, 2012

    Yes my people!!!!! Wow, that would be a fabulous development for Dominica as it should mean that we can finally travel to our neighbouring islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe without too much hassle. I would expect that to be the case as they are ‘DEPARTMENTS’ of France and so benefit from the rules governing the European Union. Let us just hope that this improves relations with these islands and that we do not have to face discriminatory behaviour from any of their authorities. I do hope that it will improve the ability on their part to keep track of any person or persons who travel to their territories to commit crime! Thank God for this development and may it be for the best on all sides. Blessings……. (Surely, Skeritt and company are not going to start blowing trumpets and claiming credit for this one, are they?????) Lol

  39. Youth
    November 9, 2012

    Is not for all you to go and stay is for holiday

  40. Anonymous
    November 9, 2012

    Is it also for the french caribbean isl?

    • kee
      November 9, 2012

      no

    • Dominica_Lover
      November 9, 2012

      wE ALREADY HAVE THAT

    • Dream queen
      November 9, 2012

      Nope. Tough luck lol. Not for French territories outside france

      • MR STUPID IS HE ?
        November 10, 2012

        as for u self self self

        please get your won hair

      • shy
        November 10, 2012

        My dear you can go anywhere in europe with french passport,it’s european.You can stay,work do anything anywhere in europe that’s why the didn’t mention these countries.

  41. GLORY
    November 9, 2012

    Is this also in effect for the French Islands…Guadeloupe and Martinique???????????????

    • MUDD
      November 9, 2012

      Is Gaudeloupe and Martinique in Eroupe SORT

      • MR STUPID IS HE ?
        November 10, 2012

        YOU DAT SORT OR BETTER STILL YOU ARE A SOR SORT meaning you double stupid

        oh watch your spelling really really poor indeed

        but as DNO WOULD WISH LET ME EDUCATE YOU

        both MARTNIQUE amd GUADELOUPE are departments of France and hence visa shall not be needed by us Dominicans and other qualifying nationals to enter these two countries and others listed ok and its for a period of 90 days etc

        you see who is the real MORON NOW

    • Joe
      November 9, 2012

      Currently we can stay up to 15 days in Gwada and Martinique without requiring a visa.

      I guess the 90 days will now be in effect instead of 15 days.

      So where is Thomson to explain to us why, Antigua, Jamaica and all the others who do not “Sell Passports” are not included on this list??

      I am so happy next year i planned to go London whilst am there i will visit my cousins in France and my friends in Germany. I always wanted to visit Norway, my sister used to work there and always brag about it, and Portugal, my friend Maria lives there, so they may see me too.

      I need to work 4 jobs man to make up the necessary cash … lol!!

      • WOYE!!!!
        November 9, 2012

        Is that a special Skerrit negotiated deal or a move by the European Union to boost Tourism? some of you are so damn simple it’s downright disturbing. You would benefit from reading the full disclosure article before bestowing praises on Skerrit. You really need to thank the decent Dominicans who have lived and worked in these European countries and maintained clean record for this benefit to all others. I hope our people will embrace this travel and not engage in criminal activities that will get us banned.

      • yes
        November 9, 2012

        Antigua sell passports too, stop being biased and fool people, I live in Antigua and I know it for a fact. Dont be little Dominica or put us in the bad books for wrong doings

      • 100%
        November 9, 2012

        @ Joe. Looking for attention?????????

        Is Thompson the one who came on to break this news? So why should he have to explain any ‘ish’ to u?

        Smarty pants, “Are Guadeloupe and Martinique in the contingent EU?”

        It’s either some Dominicans (I am Dominican)read what they want to see or they just don’t understand simple language.

  42. da chick overseas
    November 9, 2012

    Amen..i live in london n its a long story 2get visa 2go just france..yess!! I no longer hve 2hold bk my kids n husband cus they wanted 2go n i couldnt…nw all of us LEGALLLLL

    • Malatete
      November 9, 2012

      Please note, this does not mean that you will not be subject to immigration checks when travelling from the U.K. to France on a Dominican passport. You will still have to present yourself at a desk for non-E.U. citizens for questioning. All this means is that you do not need to apply for a visa in advance but all the other restrictions remain in place.

      • malabau
        November 10, 2012

        Well of cause……

    • Anonymous
      November 10, 2012

      Get off your lazy butt and apply for your citizenship my friend. So you can stop being a pain in their’s

  43. possie long time
    November 9, 2012

    i guess this applies to both Guadeloupe and Martinique…am i correct?

  44. why tea
    November 9, 2012

    Praise the Lord ! I will surely be less homesick, my family will come to visit me.

  45. dominican in europe
    November 9, 2012

    This is the best news i’ve had all year…. when will this go into effect?

  46. lil dv
    November 9, 2012

    yessss now hopefully i can visit my friends in germany! :)

  47. November 9, 2012

    About time we get our rights

  48. November 9, 2012

    :-D

  49. nattydread
    November 9, 2012

    About time

  50. anon
    November 9, 2012

    welcome§

  51. A question
    November 9, 2012

    So does that cover Guadeloupe too then, seeing as that is a part of France?

    • FranceInfo
      November 9, 2012

      Dominicans do not need a visa to go to Guadeloupe or Martinique for stays under 15 days and up to 8 times each year.

      • MR STUPID IS HE ?
        November 10, 2012

        and your point is ?

        its no wander sarh left you

        you does talk too much

        since when u are an authority on immigration matters ?

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