Prime Minister Philip J Pierre has addressed public concern following the United Kingdom’s decision to introduce visa requirements for Saint Lucian nationals travelling to the UK.
Speaking on Monday, March 9, Pierre confirmed that the government had received formal correspondence from British authorities outlining the new policy, which will require Saint Lucians to obtain a visitor visa when travelling to the United Kingdom and a direct airside transit visa when passing through British airports to other destinations.
Quoting directly from the communication received, the Prime Minister explained the rationale provided by UK officials.
“Therefore, after careful consideration, the United Kingdom has decided to introduce a visit visa requirement for nationals of Saint Lucia travelling to the UK, along with a direct airside transit visa requirement for those transiting through the UK to other destinations,” Pierre read.
Pierre said he chose to read directly from the letter to ensure transparency and avoid speculation.
“You will also be aware, and I’m being very transparent with you, I’m quoting from the letter because, as I was saying, my interest is the people of Saint Lucia, not sensation,” he said.
Addressing wider debate about the decision, the Prime Minister stressed that sovereign states ultimately determine their own immigration policies.
“There is no one who can tell me what you have to do to avoid these things,” Pierre stated. “Anything you do, it’s only a straight case of these countries seeing about their domestic situation and in that case their migration policies.”
He added that decisions taken by larger nations are often driven by their own internal concerns.
“They don’t care what revenue it brings to us. That’s not their affair. Their affair is to see that their migration policies and their policies as regards to financials and personal income are not affected.”
Pierre also addressed concerns raised about the Citizenship by Investment Programme, defending its role in supporting national development.
“We have a population that is in need of things. They need to improve the quality of life,” he said. “I want to educate people. I want to pay the CXC fees. I want to retool them. I want to re-engineer.”
He also pointed to the need to address housing challenges and improve economic opportunities.
“I have a housing problem which I want to solve, and you’re going to hear some very serious steps about housing in the budget,” the Prime Minister said. “I have a population that’s aspiring. They want to do better.”
According to Pierre, the Citizenship by Investment Programme remains one of the mechanisms the government uses to generate resources without placing additional burdens on citizens.
“The CIP is one of the ways that I can help them do better,” he explained. “The other option is taxes and loans.”
He noted that the government must also manage borrowing carefully to remain within established fiscal limits.
“We have what is called a prudential limit. We’re trying to get to 60 percent by 2035. So, we have to expand the economy. We have to expand it by creating employment for our young people.”
“But the CIP is an economic thing that we’re using to help us do that.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that Saint Lucia respects the right of countries such as the United Kingdom and members of the European Union to establish their own migration policies.