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Ireland has recently changed its immigration regime, requiring citizens of certain countries, including Dominica, who wish to travel to Ireland to apply for a visa.
This new visa restriction came into effect on March 7, 2024. The Irish Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, announced this decision, stating that it was made to align Ireland’s visa regime with that of the United Kingdom and the Schengen area.
Citizens of Dominica who intend to transit through Ireland are also required to obtain a transit visa.
The Irish government regularly reviews its visa requirements to maintain effective immigration control and ensure balance.
The authorities in Ireland have also made transitional arrangements for Dominicans who have already made travel plans in the weeks that follow the implementation of the new visa rules.
This new visa requirement applies to citizens from Honduras and Vanuatu as well.
However, the Irish government does not expect a significant increase in visa applications from these three countries due to the relatively low number of nationals from these countries travelling to and residing in Ireland.
Reports suggest that this new visa requirement is part of a broader effort by Ireland to harmonize its visa regulations with neighboring countries.
The United Kingdom placed visa restrictions on Dominica in July 2023, citing concerns over the island’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI).
The British government claimed that careful consideration of Dominica’s CBI showed evidence of abuse of the scheme, including granting citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK.
Despite this, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit dismissed it as a temporary setback that would not cause permanent harm to the island.
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