UPDATE: Visa-free entry for Dominicans to European states

visa freeBeginning today (May 28, 2015) Dominicans will no longer need a visa to travel to several European states.

The exemption also applies to nationals from St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago.

The agreement was signed by Dominica’s Foreign Minister, Francine Baron, in Brussels on Thursday (today).

Under the agreement Dominicans can visit the EU states for 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.

However, those traveling for the purpose of carrying out paid activities must get a visa.

The condition falls under the Schengen Area agreement which is aimed at boosting tourist arrivals to weather the harsh economic climate affecting Europe.

The Schengen Agreement, signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg in 1985, caters to the free movement of persons within Schengen area countries without internal border controls.

Head of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ambassador Mikael Barfod welcomed the signing and said: “The signing of the visa waiver agreement removes the stress and hassle for Dominicans in seeking to obtain a visa each time they have to travel to Europe. The European Union is happy to extend such a courtesy to Dominica in an effort to strengthen our people to people contact.”

As regards France and the Netherlands, the visa-free travel shall apply only to the European territory of these Member States. The visa regime between the overseas territories, including those in the Caribbean, of these Member States and the countries granted visa waiver status remains subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries concerned or to national legislation.

The list of countries that allow visa free access are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Dominica's Foreign Minister, Francine Baron, signs the agreement on Thursday
Dominica’s Foreign Minister, Francine Baron, signs the agreement on Thursday

 

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86 Comments

  1. December 28, 2015

    I would love to go to sy.marten for my bdy in July hope I get threw god is good

  2. July 2, 2015

    We are happy to hear that No visa for Dominicans for traveling EU.

    Great News!

  3. Nyah
    June 3, 2015

    Actually we should have the “freedom” and “right” to travel where ever we want to travel on this planet without money making visas and passports.
    My though ( I am living in Dominica since almost 7 years now) many people will use this opportunity to found a job in Europe. Although Dominica is an amazing Island, here we do not have any structure, discipline and precision to work as team and motivated the Dominicans to grow. Dominica need to build an Export market and let the people work here!
    It will make every one happy!

    • December 28, 2015

      Sounds nice

  4. southern link
    June 1, 2015

    great achievement indeed for whosoever that wants to take credit but my point here is not to like or dislike any ones work. all i want to know is if guadeloupe and martinique making part of this agreement and htey i want facts not pple just running there mouth bcuz these two countries are dominicans number one concern.

  5. shinnyeye
    June 1, 2015

    Dominica is one of must beautiful country in the Caribbean the crime rate is lower the must some people may have little but trust me it’s alot the grass is not always greener on the otherside Dominican should be proud of what they have even the little and protect it there is alot off potential in the country that free visa mess wasn’t all the PM work the EU know what they about the saying freeness is worryness is so true Dominicans need to wake-up wht now they want to give free visa is one of them that say they discover Dominica when there were people on the country they also need to stop teaching that in school the EU just want to come as they want too so they can do what they want in the country Dominica is sweet and simple it may not look so but life is good in Dominica one more thing Dominicans need to stop selling their land to forigeners they need to keep it for the next generation I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND DON’T WANT IT TO CHANGE the EU know what they want that’s the start

  6. Cora
    May 30, 2015

    It is an achievement for Dominicans, PM Skerrit continues to exceed.

  7. Giselle john
    May 30, 2015

    What about England. Is it not part of the European union?

  8. Titiwi
    May 29, 2015

    Now the competition will heat up for Skerrit’s Economic citizenship programme. Grenada already have their own and despit what Ralph Gonsalves said last year I bet he will come with his own Programme too now. At least he has already his international airport. A wily operator that uncle Ralph! I expect St. Lucia to come into the market too. They presented a well thought out paper in Jan. and have learned from us, Antigua and St. Kitts to come with their own improved version. . Expect it to be a Rolls Royce,rather than a Toyota SUV. All these investors have more choice now in our part of the Caribbean, which one will they pick? The cheapest or the best?

  9. Big-Bannan
    May 29, 2015

    Whomever made this possible may you be blessed always for opening the gates by which Dominicans can escape their country and strive for greener pastures and a better life. Dominica’s population will continue to decrease as a result.

  10. Derek
    May 29, 2015

    It’s better I see my Cuzzie for that time than not at all, Skeritt or not not, we’ve got it,
    Deal with it….
    All good for Dominica…..

  11. Anthony Ismael
    May 29, 2015

    What shall be the cost of an airline ticket from Dominica to Europe? Two arms and two legs.

  12. aa
    May 28, 2015

    Hope you all don’t abuse it. Hope cheaper flights be made available so that people can travel if not fully pointless

    • Titiwi
      May 29, 2015

      Not fully pointless. This primarily for the benefit of our economic citizenship programme.

  13. lypso
    May 28, 2015

    it is not a skerrit achievement st lucia and other countries are able travel visa -free

  14. pin
    May 28, 2015

    canada they have to work on

  15. Joyful
    May 28, 2015

    Long overdue…. Now able to visit love ones….stress free

  16. JusticeJ
    May 28, 2015

    you don’t know how to please black people. The man working they have to look for catch. If he doh work now , oh Skerrit wicked, skerrit this, skerrit that! Give Jack his jacket. The EU did a good thing. Open its gates. Some of us need to go out there and face the reality of Life. The country too nice and too free up that’s why all u going on so.

    • Fr33
      May 29, 2015

      Every equation in life is balanced – nothing for something is nonexistent. Even though i am happy to eat, i will concern myself with where the food comes from. After all someone might be happy to eat poisoned food and cry when the pain of death hits…….

      The country is not “so” nice and its not “so” free up……. be objective…….

  17. artin
    May 28, 2015

    Thank you so much PM
    It is very good news for all Dominican
    get t the visa free To shengen state is not easy process should be work hard on it
    I wish next good news will be Canada visa free And I hope PM can touch it
    thanks

  18. Music Producer
    May 28, 2015

    EU is broke and they are finding ways to steal the little money we have left.

    • LawieBawie
      May 29, 2015

      I totally agree. Europe was always about taking not about giving. The sole reason for this change of heart is because they now realize how much these imposed visas was hurting their pockets. If their economies were doing great they would keep those visa requirements right up our !#@.

    • Titiwi
      May 29, 2015

      Man, grow up. Who is the biggest benefactor to Dominica if not the EU? it is we that begged and pleaded to get this visa free access, is not the EU make us swallow that you know. I am a critic of Skerrit, simply think he is bad for Dominica but this visa-free travel is a good thing.

  19. Summer
    May 28, 2015

    Great! You just can’t please people, it’s never enough. Just be greatfull you now have the option to travel to these countries without a visa!!

  20. NKRUMAH KWAME
    May 28, 2015

    So, if i understand this correctly, the United Kingdom is not a signatory to this agreement, and does this mean that DOMINICANS need to have a visa to visit the UK?
    HOTEP!

    • Dominica_Lover
      May 28, 2015

      Dominicans have never needed a visa fro the UK

      • Johhny
        May 28, 2015

        If ur length f stay doesn’t exceed six months visa free

    • Ma Moses
      May 28, 2015

      No, you don’t need a visa for the U.K. if you have Dominica Caricom passport but you can only stay for six months and not work without permit.
      You have to fill a form giving the address where you are going to stay, so they can check on you.

  21. Concern
    May 28, 2015
  22. John-3-16
    May 28, 2015

    Does that mean that we no longer require invitation nor visa to Guadeloupe

    • Titiwi
      May 28, 2015

      Guadeloupe and Martinique are overseas departments of France so I guess you do not need a visa to go there, they are part of France.

    • lang dough
      May 28, 2015

      You asked a very relevant question indeed. Can’t understand why some idiots gave u the thumbs down. Technically Guadeloupe/Martinique are departments of France so it should be so, however due to the disrespected status Dominica has recently achieved, Guadeloupe might still insist on the old status.

    • smh
      May 28, 2015

      “As regards France and the Netherlands, the visa-free travel shall apply only to the European territory of these Member States” -.-

    • smh
      May 29, 2015

      “The visa regime between the overseas territories, including those in the Caribbean, of these Member States and the countries granted visa waiver status remains subject to bilateral arrangements between the countries concerned or to national legislation”

      This means that whatever existing condition between Guadeloupe and Martinique and Dominica remains

  23. soccer
    May 28, 2015

    this is good for tourism for the EU and also chances for young football players from Dominica and the rest of the Caribbean the BPL premier league they might have their own team to take part

  24. Sami
    May 28, 2015

    Thank you so much PM. We are proud to be included in this treaty.

    To my people, please show the world that you are a civilized nation. Obey the rules and don’t do something that would negatively impact your fellow citizens such as over staying in those countries.

    Brothers and sisters, stop criticizing and learn to appreciate. Yes, today you can visit those countries without obtaining a visa in advance. Please make sure you come back. When in doubt about the rules, call the relevant authority and ask. Or even call the EU and ask for I know some people did that. it doesn’t matter though but please learn to ask and learn.

    Thank you all,

    • Anonymous
      May 28, 2015

      Some I’m guessing that YOU believe that YOUR PM was either the one to broker that treaty or he was pivotal in this arrangement.
      YOU do realize that this is not an exclusive treaty for Dominica/Dominicans, right?
      What exactly are you thanking the PM for in this treaty?

    • anonymous2
      May 28, 2015

      Yes you can IF you have the money to do so.

  25. May 28, 2015

    When one really considers the efforts and achievements of this Great and Humble Supreme Leader and the Mighty and Powerful Labour Party Government one must be thankful and amazed. I mean, here we are with the freedom to travel to numerous European Countries VISA FREE and the critics are still boohooing. Isn’t time these sore losers accept that the elections are over and the Dominican Citizenry has made their choice? The better party is running the Country and is doing an amazingly fine job of it! If you did not support the Government why are you angry that Labourites are doing well, eating well and living well? Labourites have faithfully supported our Government for many, many years. It is our time to see prosperity and success in our lives. It is NOT our fault that the Uneducated Wicked People and their idiot followers are broke, desperate and jealous. Labourites are enjoying life and will be doing so in Europe quite frequently these days. Labour all the way!

    • hmmm
      May 28, 2015

      it is said right here in the article that the EU OFFERED it in an effort to boost their tourist arrivals. Skerrit did not do any thing. Dominican are so easily fooled and ignorant…

    • Ma Moses
      May 28, 2015

      Don’t you idolatry is a sin? You should read the old testament and the story of Moses’ people journey to the promised land.

    • Johhny
      May 28, 2015

      Before u start sing skerrits praise please don’t forget that it was Rosie Douglas who got that ball rolling followed by Pierro..it took skerrit 11 years after Pierrot death to finalize it…. He used delay tactics to take all the praise for himself…very selfish of him…I hope Rosie and Pierro gets their recognition for realizing that we needed to look to closer ties with Europe… don’t forget it was this same skerrit who told Europe keep their aid cuz Venezuela was swinging with Chavez.. No Chavez in the game he had to put his tail between his legs and bow down to Europe

      • shinnyeye
        June 1, 2015

        What are the rules for the EUans coming in Dominica do they have the same agreement as Dominicans going to EU?

  26. Caca Chat
    May 28, 2015

    We need more details about this.
    What’s the catch?

    • Titiwi
      May 28, 2015

      I don’t know what the catch is, if any, you probably have a limited stay and can not take a job without permission. But we certainly need govt. to give us more details.

      • budman
        May 29, 2015

        if you read the article you would know the catch. smh

  27. I Am Me
    May 28, 2015

    “Visa-free entry for Dominicans to European states”
    This is very good news for ISIS, terrorist, and criminals around the world hold a Dominican passport. That alone should give value to our passport and makes a very good sale pitch for those that deal them. But alas Dominica, that’s not good news for you

    • May 28, 2015

      I Am Me you are such an imbacile. Alas poor poor you. Bereft of any positive or constructive comment.

    • JustMe
      May 28, 2015

      …and the agent of doom appears

    • sunshine
      May 28, 2015

      is Dominica alone than going to travel to the EU ? what is your dammmmm point!!

  28. amy
    May 28, 2015

    Yes 90 days, come and spend your money but you cannot come to work or live there. You cannot run away from DA because they don’t want you.

    • faith
      May 29, 2015

      amy….. you ar soo right on the point

  29. Jawad Twaij
    May 28, 2015

    congratulation to all people of Dominica and great thanks to the fruitful effort by the PM Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit and his Cabinet I m sure this is going to open a new era in the history of beautiful natural Island of Caribbeans The Dominica

    • Tjebe fort
      May 28, 2015

      Man, this a good but don’t go too far and make it sound like that would not have happened with Roosevelt Skerrit. Before, only St. Kitts and Antigua had this privilege but now all the OECS countries have that and Skerrit is not the boss of all. I’m sure mister played his part but don’t praise him too much because his head will swell.

    • Malgraysa
      May 28, 2015

      This only puts us on par with St. Kitts & Nevis and Antigua & Barbuda, which already have enjoyed this status for a long time. It was not only Dominica that was granted this privilege today but also Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Grenada. I think these countries would take offence if it were suggested to them that this is all due to the efforts of the P.M. of little Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit. I am pleased about this development of course but we should not exaggerate.

      • eheh
        May 29, 2015

        Are we saying thanks to the Prime Ministers of Trinidad, SLU and St. Vincent? No. Because we live in Dominica we say thanks to our own PM. I bet you citizens of the other countries are saying thanks to their own PM and are we taking any offence for that? smh.

  30. derp
    May 28, 2015

    hmm so this includes the French islands right, since they are France by proxy

    • May 28, 2015

      Its clearly stated european islands.

    • Deleoncourt
      May 28, 2015

      nope les departements d’outre mer are not part of schengen

    • Dominica_Lover
      May 28, 2015

      Dominicans have not needed a visa for the Guadeloupe and Martinique for some time now.

      • strap
        May 28, 2015

        you need a visa for mor than 15 days. With or without V, you must buy an insurance.

  31. mandate 2 mismanage
    May 28, 2015

    Finally! Geez…I’ve been trying to get into Slovakia for what…15 years now! Finally…the gov’t does something to positively impact the daily lives of Dominicans. Wait…how much is the ticket to Slovakia again?! WHAT?! Thats my annual salary!

    At least this will allow many more Dominicans to flee this repressive state. I heard Finland and Denmark are the places to be!

    • Broke Traveller
      May 28, 2015

      Hahhahahaha 15 years lol

    • Ma Moses
      May 28, 2015

      I expect an exodus from Dominica, especially our young people but I don’t blame them. Go and find your fortune elsrwhere if you can not find it in your own country.

    • sunshine
      May 28, 2015

      just one of your stupid remarks u will be the first to go and plz don’t come back your pig.

  32. concerned
    May 28, 2015

    it is good to know. What are the conditions however? Do I just purchase my ticket and go Spain or France or Switzerland?
    More details are needed.

    • eheh
      May 28, 2015

      I believe you must show evidence for where you intend to stay; either hotel reservation or what the french call Attestation D’accueil. Its like an invitation letter but an official document. I suppose it goes by another name for the other countries.

      • madagyal972
        May 28, 2015

        L’attestation de hébergement

    • Malgraysa
      May 28, 2015

      Switzerland is not party to the Schengen agreement.

  33. A
    May 28, 2015

    90 days people!!! 90 days, not fi live and wuk and nuh come back! Please, don’t mess it up for others.

    • mandate 2 mismanage
      May 28, 2015

      Well whats the point then? We already getting blows for calling out sick for a day or two to sewo. You think I have 3 months to go relax each year? who going to fix my feeder roads, then? Anyway…at least 90 days means I can go make the baby elsewhere, or meet a nice Danish man to rescue me!

    • Tatty
      May 28, 2015

      hope they get the point 90 days n come bk n don’t mess it up for others.

  34. Tampa
    May 28, 2015

    Who is most likely to travel to these countries? The new economic citizens of course. They are the ones with the resources and desire to do so. So we are simply facilitating them through the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

  35. DollFace
    May 28, 2015

    Hmph.

    The EU realize the USA taking all the tourism dollars so they opening their gate now??

    • Titiwi
      May 28, 2015

      Don’t be daft. You really think there are that many Caribbean people that can afford a vacation in Europe? Anyway, the Euro is weak so it is more likely that Americans will visit Europe for which they don’t need a visa.

  36. Homesick
    May 28, 2015

    Seeing that France is included would this also include Guadeloupe and Martinique???????

    • May 28, 2015

      It is clearly stated “France” not “french islands” or “continents” …

    • for de people
      May 28, 2015

      yes they are included

    • concerned
      May 28, 2015

      it has been a while you do not need visa to go Guadeloupe or Martinique.
      BUt the catch is : you can’t stay longer than 15 days, you need an insurance, a hotel confirmation and a certain quantity of money. If not hotel, you need to get a person to welcome you and they need to sure their financial status, their resident has to be inspected by the police to verify that their accomodation has running water, toilet, sufficient sleeping space etc. So it not as easy as they want to make it seem.

      • Jo
        May 28, 2015

        Don’t agree with you, have done the attestation d’accueil and no police never came to my home nor did I have to give them my financial situation.
        There’s a form to full out accompanied but a copy of the persons passport, a bill to prove where you live, a copy of your passport and 30€ stamp along with the dates the person intends on travelling.
        Would say that it would also depend on where you live on the island. I live in Martinique.

  37. help
    May 28, 2015

    “90 days within a 180-day period without a visa” meaning????

    • fire man
      May 28, 2015

      after you spend 90 days you have to wait another 90 days before you can go back again.

    • Broke Traveller
      May 28, 2015

      Sorry, I unliked your comment by mistake. I need to know the answer.to that too

    • madagyal972
      May 28, 2015

      Just like Martinique and Gwada you’re only allowed to spend 180 days max in the islands but I this is done on a 15 days count so after your first 90 days you return to your islands and if you want to go back for another 90 days you can but you can stretch your 180 days to suit yourself however it is you can. Hope that my English is good

  38. Cyrique
    May 28, 2015

    This is a great achievement by our Government! Give Jack his Jacket!!!

    • lypso
      May 28, 2015

      its courtesies that is extended to other countries inclusive of Dominica it is not a skerrit achievement

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