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Date: 5/29/2009

St. Kitts and Nevis and European Community Sign Visa Waiver Agreement

MOFA – 28^th May, 2009.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to advise that the Short-Stay Visa Waiver Agreement was signed on 28^th May, 2009 between the European Community and St. Kitts and Nevis in Brussels, Belgium.  H.E. James Williams, High Commissioner of St. Kitts and Nevis to the United Kingdom signed on behalf of the Federation.  Also present was H.E. Shirley Skerritt, Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis to the European Union and Belgium.

The agreement creates a reciprocal arrangement between the participating states which allows for visa free travel for a period of stay not exceeding three (3) months in a six (6) month period. 

This visa-free travel applies to all categories of persons (holding diplomatic, official or ordinary passports) for any kind of travel purposes (for instance tourism, cultural visits, scientific activities, family visits, business etc.), except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. This agreement does not extend to persons intending to travel to find work. 

The applicable states of the European Community are Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria. 

A separate agreement is being negotiated with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The European Community also signed this agreement with Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Mauritius and Seychelles.

St. Kitts and Nevis nationals can now benefit from this agreement, however it must be noted that it does not extend beyond continental Europe.  A similar agreement is currently being negotiated to allow for visa free travel of St. Kitts and Nevis nationals to Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be contacted for further information regarding the signing of this agreement and to provide additional information to nationals desirous of travelling to the participating countries.  Contact the Ministry at foreigna@sisterisles.kn , 467 1157 or 4671363. 

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