Bookings from Trinidad & Tobago bound for London have dropped by 80% ever since the UK imposed new visa requirements. Simultaneously, cricket star Akeal Hosein missed the opening T20I in England after not being able to obtain a UK visa.
From Visa-Free to UK Visa Fees
On March 12, 2025, the UK reintroduced visa requirements for Trinidad & Tobago nationals. As a result, the move reversed a long-standing visa-waiver arrangement, shocking many travelers.
In addition, with the new UK visa rules, it also means Trinbagonians are no longer eligible for a UK ETA (electronic travel authorisation). Correspondingly, travelers now must schedule in-person appointments and pay fees, a process many find daunting.
Meanwhile, the UK Home Office stated that the measure was necessary to address “border integrity and security concerns.” However, critics argue it unfairly targets ordinary citizens. Notably, many travelers see the rule as a bureaucratic hurdle rather than a safeguard.
Travel Agencies See 80% Drop
Trinidad & Tobago’s travel agencies report an alarming 80% drop in bookings to London since the UK visa shift. Consequently, many agencies describe the demand as “virtually vanished.”
Waheeda Mohammed, Vacation Connections manager, explained the impact to clients who had already booked trips but were denied a visa.
“People booked on European tours and all of that, and they were scheduled to fly into the UK to connect with those tours,” Mohammed said. “Most of those tours tend to be non-refundable 90 days before travel, so it is affecting people financially because they cannot get back their money.”
Moreover, several agencies highlight the sudden surge in paperwork, with refunds and last-minute cancellations becoming the norm. As such, this has left many businesses grappling with uncertainty and financial strain.
In the wake of the new visa rules, there has been an uptake in bookings to Amsterdam. However, it is still unaffordable for many, as it will merit an additional cost of more than $10,000.
Akeal Hosein’s UK Visa Ordeal
Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that spinner Akeal Hosein missed the T20I opener in England. The reason? He couldn’t secure a visa appointment in time. Additionally, his participation in the Pakistan Super League delayed his application.
Miles Bascombe, CWI’s director of cricket, expressed disappointment. “As soon as the updated visa requirements were announced, we began the necessary application processes,” he said. Nonetheless, Hosein was not the only player affected. Fellow Trinidadian Jyd Goolie also missed the match due to the same issue.
Therefore, fans and officials alike now wonder how such bureaucratic hurdles might affect upcoming matches.
Broader Impact of UK Visa Rules
Not only is the sports world feeling the heat, but so are businesses and the diaspora community. Indeed, the new UK visa rule change affects families, students, and professionals with ties to the UK.
Overall, experts warn that the drop in bookings could have long-term effects on the travel sector. Meanwhile, the cricket community is urging the UK government to consider fast-tracking visas for athletes.
Conclusion
The sudden visa requirement has left travelers, businesses, and athletes scrambling for solutions. As bookings to London decline, the Caribbean’s international sporting industry suffers as well. While the UK defends its policy, many hope for a smoother process.
Photo by Ella Heineman on Unsplash
