At least one Venezuelan airline began issuing advisories to passengers regarding this country’s visa stipulation—indicating passengers can only enter T&T once they can prove their stay is for a specific reason.
But up to yesterday, there was no word from either the Foreign Affairs or National Security on the visa including its cost. Questions sent by Guardian Media seeking details from both Ministries went unanswered on Friday.
According to the notice issued by Rutaca Airlines of Venezuela, passengers can only enter T&T if they can prove their stay in this country will be for reasons specific to illness, medical consultations, business, or they are people “in the process of residency.” In addition, they can enter if they are intransit passengers for 48 hours and have tickets to their final destination.
The notice which was issued immediately after the visa procedure was scheduled to start on Monday also stated that passengers would—after arrival at Piarco airport—be given a “Visa Waiver Programme” and have to pay (TT)$400 or the US equivalent in the interim.
Rutaca also stated that those entering as tourists and to visit family must process T&T visas at the T&T embassy in Caracas “once the process has begun.”
Venezuelan-born interpreter Auraceli D’Olivierre said she received some details on the process by writing to the T&T Embassy in Caracas.
“They told me the name, surname and of the identification of the person who wants the visa should be sent to the embassy (in Caracas) and the person should also state their motive for the trip to T&T and their phone contact and then the embassy would send them the requirement for the visa,” she added.
But Venezuelan-born T&T based activist Heidi Diquez said Venezuelans were still awaiting official word from local authorities.
“We cannot question Government for instituting the visa, it should have been done a long time ago. However, most information so far seems to be coming from the airlines (in Venezuela).”
“We had people training to come to T&T and we’ve put this on hold until systems are clarified or announced properly,” she said.
Diquez also expressed concerns about practices concerning the employment of young Venezuelans in some areas, and how labour systems can guard against potential exploitation. She said she had received information on boys and girls who were registered yet, being paid $150 daily, seven days weekly.
“There’s also concern that 1,000 Venezuelan children who are here will lack access to education. Some NGOs are establishing online systems for secondary students which will be accredited by Venezuelan systems. But there’s nothing for primary students - despite some Catholic schools trying to accommodate some—and the September term begins soon. We would encourage the Education Ministry to sit with different organisations to see how best this could be solved.”