The Government of Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of External Affairs, has paved the way for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports to benefit from visa-free travel to India.
This historic visa-waiver agreement between Saint Lucia and the Republic of India was signed on April 16, 2024, by Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre and the Non-resident High Commissioner of India to Saint Lucia, H.E. Dr Shankar Balachandran.
Applications for E-visas by holders of ordinary passports for Saint Lucians travelling to India are typically processed and granted within 72 hours.
However, before the agreement was signed, the application process to obtain a gratis diplomatic/official visa for Saint Lucian holders of Diplomatic and Official passports travelling to India took up to thirty (30) days as they were required to utilize courier services to transport their passports to India’s Embassy in Paramaribo for processing.
The new visa-waiver agreement between Saint Lucia and the Republic of India will significantly reduce expenses and shorter wait times for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports travelling to India on official business.
Furthermore, the new visa-waiver agreement will also benefit public servants who obtain ITEC scholarships to study in India.
The signing was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Guillaume Simon and officials from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The signing signals a strengthening of diplomatic relations between the Government of Saint Lucia and the Republic of India.
This agreement will come into effect once ratified by both countries.
SOURCE: Office of the Prime Minister
Are we about to lose our VISA FREE access to European countries and is hoping that Visa Free access to India will make up for it?
Why should you be worried? You have money to go anyweh?
What’s in it for India…..They left out that part…..smh …Many times they saying “”St.lucia Sweet”‘ i tasting St. Lucia Sour right now…..If any one see it different tell me….
What’s in it for India…..They left out that part…..smh …Many times they saying “”St.lucia Sweet”‘ i tasting St. Lucia Sour right now…..If any one see it different tell me….
Nothing to see here. Ordinary passport holders would still need to obtain an E visa to travel to India which takes 3 days. It’s only diplomats benefiting because they will no longer have to travel to Suriname or to courier document which takes 30 days to process.
It’s a bad idea..
How are you going to get them out?
HAS PHILLIP J. PIERRE GON OUT OF HIS MIND? I see how this Dr. so & so smiling as PjP signing some document; gotcha – that’s why there’s got to be some sort of viable opposition in any democracy to ask for and sometimes demand an answer to prevent any leader – irrespective of political Party – to go blindly into deals, not knowing where this will lead to.
I DON’T TRUST THIS INDIA DEAL. DAMN IT, OF ALL THE PLACES IN EUROPE TO GO TO FOR HIGHER LEARNING (THEY ALL SPEAK AS MUCH AS, IN SOME CASES BETTER ENGLISH THAN YOU) THAN HAVING TO GO HALFWAY ROUND THE GLOBE TO INDIA. Phillip tell me, how are you to stop some rich Indians from landing here to buy out Property, Businesses, in time competing for ‘high end jobs’ Phill you better think again. What is it in it for your new found friends? these smart ass people wont sign any deals with you unless they’ve seen some avenue in your 2 X 2 little Island which the Pit Bull et al claim its for Blacks only to rule. Sorry to ask, but can you ask Chas for his input too? I said sorry. My advise tp Phill, quit before its too late:
SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST