- Trinidad and Tobago to be added to list of visa required countries.
- Brings Irish visa requirements in line with the United Kingdom.
Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD, and Minister of State for Migration, Mr Colm Brophy TD, have today (Friday 9 May 2025) announced that nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will be required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. These requirements will apply from May 12th 2025. A transit visa will also be required, if the person intending to transit through Ireland, if enroute to another destination.
Commenting on this announcement, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“Visa requirements are an effective screening measure to determine who can travel to Ireland. They bolster the security of our borders while permitting travel to Ireland for legitimate purposes.
To minimise disruption, my officials will have transitional measures for those with existing travel arrangements in the next few weeks.”
Irish visa requirements are kept under ongoing review, having regard to the need to ensure that effective immigration controls are in place whilst also facilitating those who wish to travel to Ireland for the purposes of a visit, to work, to study or to join family members.
Commenting on this announcement, Minister Colm Brophy added:
“This is a carefully considered decision which will bring Ireland into closer alignment with the United Kingdom. While Ireland will continue to operate an independent visa regime, keeping in step with the requirements of the United Kingdom protects our Common Travel Area and dissuades irregular movements.”
Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who made travel plans prior to May 12th 2025 and who can provide evidence of a valid booking and payment for the trip, may be accommodated for emergency travel in the following situations where the scheduled travel is on or before May 31st 2025:-
- A critical medical case involving a family member being seriously ill or undergoing medical treatment. Evidence from the relevant medical institution must be provided.
- Visiting for a significant family event – a birth, wedding, or funeral. Suitable evidence must be provided.
- Taking up a place obtained in a third-level institution on an undergraduate or post-graduate degree course. Evidence must be provided from the relevant institution.
- Taking up employment and holding an Employment Permit for Ireland. Evidence of the permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment must be provided.
- Travelling for business. Confirmation of the arrangements for the visit from the business in question must be provided.
Persons falling within the above categories are asked to email becoming_visarequired@justice.ie with the subject line “Visa Required – Emergency Travel Requested”.
Who cares as most Trinidadians never go there. The few that go are mostly to study. Guess no one will spend their money on another educational country.
Just like we’re now by-passing England for Amsterdam (no visa required)
Many Trinis visit Ireland, maybe not as a final destination but certainly while in the UK or Europe- and even more locals have close relatives in England including myself. Visa restrictions are inconvenient and acquiring Visas are expensive. Hopefully these restrictions can be lifted. If it doesn’t, the Schengen bloc may follow soon.
[Note: A Schengen visa is an entry permit for non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area.]
It is only fair for Ireland to want to protect the entry of persons entering their country, however, Trinidad and Tobago should also implement the same requirements. The same way the Irish feel that undesirables from Trinidad and Tobago can enter their space and cause a treat, so too can the Irish do so in sweet T & T. What is good for one should be good for all.
I AGREE with pete!
Who wants to visit Ireland?
Where is Ireland?
These people have just succeeded in undoing all the good and God fearing values that I’ve placed into my children.
Values like..
The world 🌎 has changed..
You must adapt..
We’re all one now.
Racism doesn’t exist..
The world is quickly moving toward a Civil society.
We’re now building bridges 🌉 not walls.
Sad but there are undesirable people all over the world even In Ireland.
Would it mean therefore that we are left to do pretty much the same as President Trump and request visas from all of our Irish friends 🧡.
I don’t understand 🤔
Seems like visa requirements are a joke and a game for some countries. If that is so then I agree with Pete. The same should be reciprocated to those countries who wish their citizens to travel to to beautiful twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago. I would love to share this idea with the island government.
It’s time third countries reciprocate..So called first world traveller’s come here free and vlog , profiting from us
I hope our Newly Elected Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar is listening and paying close attention to what’s happening to our sweet T&T. Pete has a valid point.
This will continue to happen, other countries will also implement visa requirements for trinidad and Tobago citizens. Remember Canada? Or was visa free until 87 or 88 when they realized that people were flocking there claiming refugee status. To those of you asking who cares, well, you should.
What is happening now is that the Courtney is getting boxed in abs rightly so. You all might not want to admit it, but trinidad and Tobago is too corrupted and crime infested. Add to that the fact that we might have lost our status as the financial capital of the Caribbean, and we have nothing to bargain with. Then Rowley, that asshole, sold off what he could before resigning. Who cares? You all would seriously rethink that question. I was hesitant about getting my American citizenship, but from what I’m seeing? I think i will. Good luck to those of you who are too short sighted to see what’s happening.
The comments of Tridadians have disappointed me. From the comments I have read, I will say that you all are behaving like the Canadiens. And the last thing on earth you want to do is behave like a Canadian. Ireland has not singled you out as evildoers. Visas and proof of identity are happening all over the world. Due to the huge influx of illegal aliens into most European countries, the British Isles, and the USA, there is a crackdown and it must be followed.
If you want to travel anywhere in the future, you will require a visa. If Trinidad wants to have visa entry, well, fine, but don’t whine, just adjust to the world order. The Canadiens are still whining because we will not let them pour into this country anymore. Crowd our medical facilities, stay for 6months, and use and abuse all the systems set up for American citizens.
Visas are not a joke or a game, they are not based on racism. Each country has the right to know who has entered its country.
Please remember that Trinidad and Tobago are at a stage three alert for tourist travel. Work hard on the crime and gangs. Then demand visa entry
Jilly Jilly, It’s disappointing you’ve called valid concerns “whining” instead of looking at the bigger picture. Trinidad and Tobago and Ireland share a long history, built on respect and Commonwealth ties. Visa-free travel was based on trust, not charity.
This new visa rule feels less about real security and more like a defensive move that avoids the core issue. No one is saying countries shouldn’t protect their borders. The concern is how it’s being done. It looks like smaller nations are being used as soft targets, while bigger sources of pressure are ignored.
If there were genuine concerns, open dialogue should have come first. Instead, it feels like a money-making move that damages decades of goodwill. We’re not asking for special treatment, just fairness.
And on crime, let’s not act like Trinidad is the only one with issues. The US and others have the same, but their citizens aren’t punished like this.
Visa policies should be based on real risk, not lazy assumptions. That’s what we’re questioning.
This is the height of criminality. This has NOTHING to do with securing borders, it has more to do with making money through processing visas off the backs of Trinidad nationals. There are other countries to visit!!!!
Is always those unpatriotic Trinidadians who love to say Trinidad is corrupt. As if corruption and crime don’t exist everywhere. Then leave expeditiously, so you can hush your tail. I don’t see anyone saying these decisions being made is based on race. I agree with Pete, what good for the gander is good for the goose. Trinidad needs to implement a visa process for all foreigners. Also, make becoming a citizen even harder. We too blasted nice. We are not a tourist country. Plus look how much illegals we have in our country. I pray Kamla clean house.
Seems about right. They allow refugees to pour into their countries from Middle East, North Africa and other places that hate their way of life. Hostile religions, culture, language and values. None of those negatives can be applied to Trinidad.I remember, growing up as a young boy my Headmaster, rugby coach and priest were all Irish and they prospered in Trinidad. We bring only happiness and joy with our music, wit, dances and western values. One day Ireland and other countries will regret choosing to lose a loyal ally and friend because of dumb agendas.