The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Wed 12th Mar 25

The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025 amended the Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) Order 2014 to include Trinidad and Tobago in the list of countries whose citizens require a transit visa to pass through the UK.

The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025, effective March 13, 2025, adds Trinidad and Tobago to the list of countries whose citizens require a transit visa to pass through the UK without entering.

A transitional provision exempts those who already had bookings for arrival before April 23, 2025, and arrived by that date.

The Order is supported by Sections 41 and 166(3) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Arguments For

Strengthening Border Security: Adding Trinidad and Tobago to the list of countries requiring transit visas enhances the UK's ability to control who passes through its airspace and borders.
Preventing Illegal Immigration: Requiring a transit visa may deter individuals from attempting to enter the UK illegally under the guise of transit.
Alignment with International Standards: This amendment could align UK immigration policy with practices in other countries regarding transit visa requirements.
Protecting National Security: The measure could contribute to enhanced security checks and reduce the risk of security threats passing through the UK.

Arguments Against

Increased Administrative Burden: The requirement for additional applications will increase the administrative load on both UK border agencies and travelers.
Negative Impact on Tourism & Trade: Requiring transit visas for Trinidad and Tobago nationals and citizens could negatively affect tourism and trade relations between the countries.
Disproportionate Impact: The policy may disproportionately affect vulnerable groups who might have difficulty obtaining the necessary documentation.
Lack of Transparency: The assessment that this measure has no significant impact on the private or voluntary sector could be questioned. A more detailed impact assessment may be needed.

Citation, commencement and extent (1) This Order may be cited as the Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025. (2) This Order comes into force on 13th March 2025. (3) This Order extends to the United Kingdom.

This section details the order's formal title, effective date, and geographic scope.

The order's official name is the Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025.

It takes effect on March 13, 2025, and applies across the United Kingdom.

Amendment to the Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) Order 2014 (1) The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) Order 2014 is amended as follows. (2) In Schedule 1 (countries or territories whose nationals or citizens need transit visas), at the appropriate place, insert “Trinidad and Tobago”.

This section outlines the key amendment made by the order to an existing legal document (Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) Order 2014).

Specifically, it adds 'Trinidad and Tobago' to Schedule 1, which lists countries whose citizens require transit visas to pass through UK airspace without entering the country.

Transitional provision Nothing in article 2 applies in respect of a national or citizen of Trinidad and Tobago transiting through the United Kingdom who— (a) arrives in the United Kingdom on or before 23rd April 2025, and (b) before the date this Order comes into force already held a booking for that journey.

This is a transitional provision which addresses pre-existing travel arrangements.

The amendment in Article 2 doesn't apply to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago who had already booked travel to transit through the UK before the order's effective date and arrive by April 23rd, 2025.

This is to avoid inconveniencing travelers with existing plans.

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