Government of Saint Lucia Signs Historic Visa-Waiver Agreement with India

Castries, St. Lucia

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 agreement 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.

Under the agreement, 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.

Benefits of the Agreement

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.

Significance of the Agreement

The signing of this agreement 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.

Conclusion

The visa-waiver agreement between Saint Lucia and India is a significant milestone in the countries’ diplomatic relations. The agreement will make it easier and more cost-effective for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports to travel to India, while also benefiting public servants who wish to study in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible for visa-free travel to India under the agreement?

A: Holders of Diplomatic and Official passports are eligible for visa-free travel to India under the agreement.

Q: What is the typical processing time for e-visas for ordinary passport holders?

A: Applications for e-visas by holders of ordinary passports are typically processed and granted within 72 hours.

Q: How long did the application process take before the agreement was signed?

A: Before the agreement was signed, the application process to obtain a gratis diplomatic/official visa for Saint Lucian holders of Diplomatic and Official passports took up to thirty (30) days.

Q: Who witnessed the signing of the agreement?

A: The signing was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Guillaume Simon and officials from the Ministry of External Affairs.