Nigerian elite affected as UK suspends visa waiver for Dominican nationals over ‘abuse’

The United Kingdom government says it is suspending the visa-waiver agreement for all Dominican nationals, including to visit. 

The suspension, which comes into effect on July 19, will affect several categories of people, including Nigerians with Dominican citizenship. 

However, those who booked their travel visa before 3 pm on Wednesday will still be able to enter the UK without a visa. 

There will also be a four-week visa-free transition period for those with confirmed bookings, where arrival to the UK is no later than August 16.

TheCable understands that Dominican visitors already in the UK will not be affected by the new requirement for the rest of their visit.  

According to the new policy, those who leave the UK will need a visa to re-enter, while citizens of Dominica will now need a visitor visa to travel for up to six months.

Giving reasons for the suspension, Suella Braverman, UK home secretary, said the decision was made due to “clear and evident abuse of its citizenship by investment scheme, including the granting of citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK”. 

Nigeria-Dominica citizenship offers an opportunity to travel to over 46 countries without a visa, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the Schengen countries. 

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former minister of petroleum, had obtained Dominica citizenship after she was appointed commissioner for trade and investment by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

Read more on how Dominica citizenship works for Nigerians here.