UK ends visa-free travel for Saint Lucia and Nicaragua nationals

Both countries will be removed from ETA eligibility and travelers will need a visa from April 16, 2026

The United Kingdom has announced that nationals of Saint Lucia and Nicaragua will require a visa to travel to the UK, ending decades of visa-free entry for short visits. The UK government published the policy change on March 5, 2026.

Both countries will also be removed from the list of nationalities eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Applications for an ETA from Saint Lucian and Nicaraguan nationals closed at 15:00 GMT on March 5, 2026.

The visa requirement takes full effect at 15:00 BST on April 16, 2026.

Why the UK made this change

The government cited a significant number of asylum claims from nationals of both countries as a key factor. Between January 2022 and December 2025, 609 Nicaraguan nationals claimed asylum in the UK, with 83% of those claims made at port. During the same period, 360 Saint Lucian nationals claimed asylum, a high number relative to the country's population of approximately 180,000.

The UK also raised concerns about Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment programme, noting that the high volume of citizenships sold has coincided with an increase in individuals using Saint Lucian passports to access the UK and subsequently claim asylum or work illegally.

Transition period for existing bookings

A six-week transition period will apply to travelers who made confirmed bookings before the announcement. During this period, Saint Lucian and Nicaraguan nationals with an existing ETA and a confirmed booking can still travel without a visa, provided their travel date falls before the April 16 deadline.

Those with bookings for travel after the transition period ends will need to obtain a visa in advance. Changing a booking to an earlier date within the transition period will still require a visa.

Transit visas also required

The UK will also require nationals of both countries to obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) when transiting through UK airports without passing through border control, unless they qualify for an exemption.