French territories relax visa requirements

Vincentians wishing to travel to Martinique and Guadeloupe no longer have to acquire visas to do so.

Effective December 14, 2009, persons wishing to enter the French overseas Departments will go through a different procedure.{{more}}

Honorary Consul for France to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Lennox John explained the new procedure for entering the Departments during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Reading from a statement from the Embassy of France to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), John explained the new requirements for entry into the two islands for short stays.

On entering either island, Vincentians will now have to present proof of accommodation issued by the Mayor or a hotel reservation and a certificate of travel insurance valued no less that EC$100, 000 for medical care, hospitalization or repatriation.

John, who disclosed that he will retire from the post of Honorary Consul, which he has held for the last ten years, in the next few months, explained that Vincentians will be allowed to stay in either Department for ninety days within a six month period.

John explained that the person (whether friend or relative) who is providing accommodation for the visitor must apply for the certificate through the Mayor’s office.

He added that this new procedure is a lot easier than acquiring a Visa, which was more costly and required trips to St. Lucia to be photographed and fingerprinted.

Speaking at the conference, Vanessa Demirciyan, Director of the Alliance Francaise, said that the changes in the entry requirements were done to “develop the inter-Caribbean link”. Vincentians will, however, still need Visas to enter St. Marteen and France.