Basseterre (18 November 2019) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that persons wishing to travel to Canada for tourism, work, study or permanent residency purposes will no longer need to travel to Barbados or Trinidad to have their biometrics data collected.
Her Excellency Marie Legault, High Commissioner of Canada in Bridgetown in a letter to the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Foreign Affairs informed that this will be a biannual service to the citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis from 2020. This exciting news comes on the heels of the successful inaugural Itinerant Biometrics Collection in the Federation in August 2019 when 228 persons benefitted. Minister Brantley, who advocated consistently and at every opportunity for the removal of the visa requirement imposed in 2014 and for some relief to nationals, applauded this decision. “This is a victory for our ordinary citizens desirous of visiting with family members in Canada, attending CARIBANA or simply travelling to Canada. This will further strengthen people to people contact
between residents of both our countries which have long enjoyed excellent relations,” said Minister Brantley.
Nationals and residents are reminded that biometric processing will ONLY be available to those who would have applied either online or by mail. Once applications have been completed and submitted to the Visa Application Centre, applicants will be provided with a Biometric Invitation Letter informing them of the time and location for their appointment.
Persons are urged to take advantage of this service when dates are announced next year.
