ROSEAU, Dominica — September 11, 2026: In a move that could create a diplomatic breakthrough for its citizens’ ease of travel to Great Britain and Europe, Dominica announced the intention of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to appoint a special envoy in charge of the increasingly delicate visa negotiations.
The announcement, which was reported by Dominica News Online on September 10, 2026, comes against the backdrop of the pressure that Roseau is under from two sides. The UK has already imposed visa restrictions on citizens of Dominica, while the European Union is reviewing Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment programme.
Mr Skerrit stated that discussions with the UK government are ongoing, and the newly appointed envoy is likely to be responsible for coordinating the advocacy of the country with British and European authorities. The envoy has not yet been named, but the appointment will be announced in the coming weeks.
The report states that the EU has given Dominica and four other Caribbean nations until June 1, 2028, to stop their CBI programmes or risk losing the chance to enter the Schengen area without a visa. The EU argues that these programmes create security and due diligence challenges to their implementation.
Thus, for Dominica, this question goes beyond just the problem of obtaining a visa. Visa-free travel provides a significant diplomatic and economic advantage, particularly for a small island economy like Dominica, where citizens, businesses, and investors rely on access to major world hubs.
Britain’s decision has altered the travel equation considerably. Dominica has been interested in regaining its visa-free access to the UK, all while trying to convince the authorities in Europe about the reliability of its citizenship programme.
The upcoming appointment ought to be among the most important diplomatic appointments in Roseau’s history. The new diplomat is expected to deal with two powerful blocs, ensure Dominica’s international mobility, and defend a programme that is now a key element of the country’s economy.
At the same time, the time is running out toward June 1, 2028.
