While three-quarters of the world's population need to apply for a visa if they want to visit the UK citizens of St. Kitts-Nevis currently enjoy a visa free status.

As a result of the Visa Waiver Test, the UK government determined that citizens of Dominica and St Lucia potentially posed risks in terms of illegal immigration, crime and security.

The UK department of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs issued a release stating that "a visa regime is a very effective immigration, crime and security control measure" and that both countries would be given six months to address concerns expressed by the UK government.

"We recognize that we have close historic, economic and political ties with Dominica and St. Lucia and are aware that an introduction of a visa regime would be a significant step. It is a decision we do not take lightly. As a result we will now enter a six month period of detailed dialogue with the governments concerned to examine what actions would be taken to address our concerns and mitigate the need for a visa regime to be introduced."

The UK government said that during the six month mitigation period, Dominica and St. Lucia would have to demonstrate "genuine commitment to put into effect credible and realistic plans with clear timetables to reduce the ricks to the UK". These plans, it said, would have to be implemented by the end of the six month period.

The UK government has written to the government of St. Kitts-Nevis along with the other four countries advising that their visa free status will be reviewed in six months time. It said the UK remains committed to operating a "firm but fair" immigration policy, giving high priority to treating all foreign nationals coming to the UK with dignity and respect.

"However, it [UK government] expects all visitors to the UK to play by the rules. The UK will always welcome genuine visitors, whether tourists, business, student or family, but will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the security of the UK."
However, a former high-ranking Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told The Observer that the UK visa situation was certainly an "interesting development" and a situation that should be closely monitored.

"Anything that would hinder our citizens from travelling to the UK would have negative implications for our people given the fact that they have a large Diasporic community in the UK and therefore for a lot of our people it is an opportunity to travel there to rekindle family ties and relationships with loved ones," he said.

The source said visa requirements would also diminish the value of the St. Kitts-Nevis passport as the Federation would no longer be among a select few countries that got an automatic 6-month entry when visiting the UK.

Based on the reasoning given by the UK government for considering introducing the visa regime, the former Foreign Affairs official said St. Kitts should review its own immigration policies as it related to who was given citizenship.

"The UK government expressed concern over citizens from the seven countries engaging in illegal immigration practices so another thing the St. Kitts-Nevis government should look at is who is presenting documents as being citizens of our country. Are these people genuine citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis or are they persons with no real ties except by marriage or economic status? There are citizens from other countries who obtain our passports to enjoy the ease of travel associated with it because of immigration difficulties experienced using their countries' travel documents. We do not really know these people yet they are considered as being St. Kitts and Nevis nationals. I would like to see research carried out to provide empirical data if the persons who engage in illegal immigration practices are bona fide citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis."