The government of Dominica will not be issuing visas to Haitian nationals, at least for now.
National Security and Immigration Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, said a stay on issuing visas has been implemented but is giving the assurance the measure does not amount to “a ban.”
He said there are issues within the system that must be addressed.
“There are challenges within the system that has to be dealt with and to make sure that we have a system in place where, one, the security of the state is not compromised, secondly that persons, because of their circumstance, are not abused,” Blackmoore said on state-owned DBS Radio’s Talking Point.
He noted that the matter is something that has to be dealt with carefully.
“This is a country that welcomes everybody and our relations with other friendly country is critical to national security, it is critical to our development as a country,” Blackmoore said.
He said there is a need for eduction in Dominica on human trafficking, although he pointed out this is not an issue on the island.
“Dominica does not have an issue of human trafficking,” he said. “Human trafficking entails the trafficking of persons for slave labour or sexual exploit etc…”
However, he said that Dominica will make an extra effort to curb trade that facilitates human trafficking.
“That is to say persons come in legally and leave illegally and we have to look at these things from the core and we have a farm program, persons want to come to see their family, you are a sponsor you have to be held accountable for the persons that you sponsor,” he explained. “You have a farm, if you are applying for one visa or two visas, are the persons on the farm?”
Blackmoore said a system is needed that cuts off the middleman and make it possible for people to apply for visas in their own countries or through DHL and Quick Pac.
He said this should “bring a level of sanity” to the visa program.
“That is exactly what is being done now and in due time, very soon, the public will be advised as to the new system we have in place going forward,” the minister stated.
Dear Sr or Madame,
I am a Haitian Citizen.
I have visited the USA, Cuba and Dominican Republic already.
Now, I would love to Visit Dominica. I want the information about how I can Apply for a Dominican Visa.
I see there not Dominica Embassy in my Country Haiti.
Thank you so much in Advance for you time and understanding
I realy believe that something must be done about the haitians in the country, first of all these people coming here all are not seeking to better their life here in dominica, they are using the country as a transhipment port,secondly those who work here as soon as they gey the money they change it and send it to their country, which means they contribute little if any to the development ond economy of the country, and thirdly some dominicans are abusing them in that they employ them and pay them much less than the price they should be givng them, just check by the 7,11 minimats all theiysecurity gards are haitians, how on earth u expect a stranger to guard a country that is not theirs a,d they speak their language which i don,t have a probs with but their compatriots come in the store and who knows what they are saying or doing for them? that should have happened long before now long overdue.
At: July 22 , 2018
MR or MRS,
I’am a Haitian Citizen .
For my experance I realy visite , Bahamas , Dominican Repuplic ,La France , Espagne , La Turkey , and ST Maarten . Now I would like to visite La dominique as soon as possible. I know La Dominique don’t have Embassy on Hait , so I would like to Apply for la Dominique Visa , dear what I can do for me to have the Visa. Thanks to taking the time out to read my request thank you very much , I’m waiting to your response as soon receive my Email.
So rayburn says “Dominica does not have an issue of human trafficking…Trafficking entails the trafficking of persons for slave labour” I guess all the people his labour trafficking into dominica to vote for his labour, s the real slave labour
is it true or false that Haitian was paying 600us dollar to the government enter Dominica???????
I believed we have enofe of then and they should need a visa so the country can make money like other country’s, and whe they go back door last stamp on passport DOMINICA so what ever blackmoore!!
Mr Minister there is a Law called “Human Trafficking on the law books of Dominica. Please do not misdirect yourself. Call the AG’s Office or the DPP’s office and you will be told that Section 27B. (1) of Act #19 of 2003 under the rubric ‘Human Trafficking’ states that ‘A person is guilty of an offence of human trafficking if that person assists any other person to enter or leave Dominica in an unlawful manner’.
this is just camouflage. A system will be developed so that only certain agents controlled by the party will benefit. Another example of micro management by ministers who have nothing much to do. Imagine a Minister has to approve visas.
“Dominica does not have an issue of human trafficking,” he said LIES
after we voted for you and the labar party you kick us out
Good start, this should be done a long time. we should accept people who is going to help build this conutry not those who are going to suck the little life that is left in it. attract INVESTORS. those who will build hotels. malls. Restaurants and much more needed economic growth not those who are coming to fight Dominica people on their own market.
Lol.all you don’t need their votes again.Good.That’s just the beginning.waiting for four years from now when their votes will be needed again.in their face
Mr. Blackmoore, D/ca is a small country and cannot accommodate all these people. Those who plan to stay in D/ca should be legally employed. They should not be dependent on the State for support.
If they are granted visas, it should be for only three months. Immigration should ensure that they have a legitimate address which should be on record. Towards the end of the three months they should be asked to report to immigration of their intention of leaving the country. If they decide to stay they should have a valid reason. Otherwise inform them that their visa will soon expire and will not be renewed that, they are to leave D/ca on the date which is stipulated on their visa. Follow it up.
During their stay they should not be employed. Their sponsors should be financially responsible for them and not the State.
In addition, those who are their sponsors should be in good standing, law-abiding people and employed. Otherwise their application for a visa should be rejected.
To avoid criminals entering D/ca, ensure that those who apply for visas are law-abiding citizens in their country. You should communicate with the police and immigration of that country, Haiti. A police record should be provided.
I would like to give my Dominican Citizenship to a Haitian…How do I go about doing that?
I salute you mister minister, it was time…. i know a certain dept of government is not glad about this one…
ALAS TO MUCH on island! Antigua has visa on them and Santo Dominicans
Antigua &Barbuda grant Caricom special visa excempt entry to citizens of countries that are full members of Caricom, except Haiti*.
The Dom. Republic is not a full Caricom member but has observer status and its citizens therefore require an entry visa.
* I don’t know what Haiti has done to deserve such discrimination but obviously Antigua does not want unrestricted access into its territory by Haitian citizens, for which it may have valid reasons. However, that makes an a of Caricom principles in my book.
How long is that stay? I guess another 4 years, when the Haitian vote will be needed to put back a party in office. This is what you call an abuse of persons for political gain
Rayburn Blackmore.. I believe you are a damn good Minister… You do work well… you should have been with the UWP. Do your best
One Blackmoore was one too may.
Looking for a good hard working strong man…honest…..and family oriented….from Haiti ….give the ppl a break….rather the Haitians than the china man…
As far as I know the Dominica Govt. does not issue visas to Haitians but residence/work permits and I guess that is what the Hon. Blackmoore is really referring to.
Haiti is a member of Caricom and the Govt’s own website states that Caricom citizens do not require a visa for entry into Dominica for a stay not exceeding six months. Haitian citizens are more privileged in this respect than E.U. citizens for instance who have visa-free access for a visit of max. three months only.
I think the problem lies in the issuance of residence permits and the subsequent granting of Dominican passports to Haitian nationals through an abuse of procedures and the use of questionable documents.This is a threat to both our visa-free arrangements with other countries and the future of our economic citizenship programme. Imagine a Haitian-Dominican arriving in the U.K. who barely speaks English, with a Dominican passport that has a different identification from his original Haitian one.
Great efforts sir! It has to start somewhere.
Congrats to the Minister for attempting to stem the flow of the eroding human landscape of Dominica. This is a small step in stemming the Human Trafficking issue (yes Human Trafficking) in Dominica and a giant step for the integrity of Dominica on a whole. Lets welcome people to our shores but when they take advantage of our hospitality exploit our vulnerabilities and their activities are incompatible with their status then we have to put the brakes on them.
On the matter of Human Trafficking the minister has misdirected himself in his definition of what it is. He said “Dominica does not have an issue of human trafficking,” ….. “Human trafficking entails the trafficking of persons for slave labour or sexual exploit etc…” Contrary to this statement, Section 27B. (1) of Act #19 of 2003 creates the offence of ‘Human Trafficking’. It states: – A person is guilty of an offence of human trafficking if that person assists any other person to enter or leave Dominica in an unlawful manner…
“This is a country that welcomes everybody and our relations with other friendly country is critical to national security, it is critical to our development as a country,” Blackmoore said.
Mr Blackmore I am very proud of your efforts to return the eroding human landscape of Dominica into what it once was. This is one small step for the government and a GIANT step for the future of Dominica. While we should welcome everybody to our soil when it comes to the point that their activities are incompatible with their status, we must put a check on the activity.
On the issue of human trafficking Mr Blackmoore is wrong in his definition. The Dominica Laws Section 27B. (1) Act # 19 of 2003 under the rubric ‘Offence of Human Trafficking’, states:- ” A person is guilty of an offence of human trafficking if that person assists any other person to enter or leave Dominica in an unlawful manner. We all know that there is a lot of that going around in Dominica.
I have always been saying too many haitians in dominica.that has become a big business for other haitians.they open little businesses and use them as offices to transport other haitians in.
Too many Haitians in Dominica? … I don’t think so .. How many is too many? We are the most sparsely populated country in the Caribbean with a population which is almost non sustainable for an internal market so a few more people contributing to the economy wound not hurt. And THAT is what these people do when they come here.. contribute to the economy. On a whole they work harder and longer than our indigenous people. There work ethic is more than welcome.
‘would’ not hurt.
How much do they contribute through taxes to the revenue of Dominica? The government statistics should indicate it.
Which poses the higher security risk to the nation: diplomatic passports being sold to the highest bidders or visas to the Haitians? Will there also be a halt on the economic citizenship and diplomatic passports?
I think we need to “bring a level of sanity” to these programs also.
I hope that groovy bat and Arundel read that real reason and stop telling lies on the Q95 gossip show these two cousin and best friend waste of time talk so much rubbish about the reason why the government suspended the visas given to the Haitians. Those two guys are an impediment to Dominicas development.
He said this should “bring a level of sanity” to the visa program. We also need some common sense applied to the issuance of visas, and awareness of the Grand Anse declaration which promotes “hassle free” travel within Caricom.
“…secondly that persons, because of their circumstance, are not abused,” Blackmoore said. Thank you Minister Blackmoore.
Dominica also has to upgrade the Roseau Immigration Center.
After it has gotten out of hand?