Readers give their feedback over the ongoing issue of obtaining visas to travel to the Caribbean to watch the World Cup

Cricinfo staff29-Dec-2006Are you planning to travel to the Caribbean? Tell us what you think about this issueLast week we ran two articles highlighting that under new rules, visitors to the Caribbean from a number of countries participating in the World Cup – in particular India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand – will need to obtain a new US$100 visa. The authorities maintain this will allow for easier travel between islands and also help to increase security, although critics are unimpressed with a scheme they regard as expensive and unlikely to be implemented in time.On Sunday, Mike Agostini, who had been Trinidad and Tobago’s honorary consul in Australia since 1981 until his resignation earlier this month, spoke of the farce regarding the issue of the visas in Australia, highlighting that the assurances of speedy and efficient processing are just not real and that those hoping to watch games in the Caribbean face some major difficulties. Here is a selection of your feedback. If you want to add to the debate, click here

Antigua’s second favourite son, Gravy, and two of the Digicel girls … but how many hurdles need to be jumped before visitors get to see them? © Cricinfo
This visa scheme is a racket invented by conniving politicians to earn fuss-free money. As a Trinidadian and a member of the Caribbean community, I am often ashamed at the shenanigans of the authorities. This one is among the lowest scams and if I were a foreigner visiting to see the World Cup, I would combine with other countries to remove the visa requirement. NickMates and I plan to follow the Australian team through the entire tournament, and have managed to secure tickets and transport without any hassle at all, but this visa, which has been implemented seemingly at the last minute, is proving a nightmare. As an Australian based in the UK I can’t even get an answer whether I can apply here or have to send my passport to the non-existent Sydney office. Shambolic. I just hope it’s not a sign of things to come during the tournament. It certainly isn’t boding well. Dave MiddletonThe CARICOM visa thing is an absolute shambles and a farce. I travel internationally for work and I cannot hand my passport over for three weeks to another authority to get it stamped, which means I am completely at the mercy of the Sydney office being set up and operational. And even then, I cannot confirm on the CARICOM website whether or not they will need to hold my passport for processing or whether they only need to see it once before stamping it after processing. To make matters worse for me, my partner and I are getting married afterwards in the Caribbean so any failings here will not only stuff up our Cricket World Cup plans, but possibly some very expensive wedding and honeymoon plans. Chris RiedigerThe new visa system is so confusing. I really do not know whether we can even make it – especially for us who are in US but hold Indian passports. Looks like we can not visit the usual spots in Caribbean. It is so frustrating we – a group of four – plan to cancel the whole trip and watch it on TV. VenkyI plan on attending two games in Trinidad during the World Cup. The visitor visa charge to visit Trinidad is $8 and why should I play $100 when I do not intend to visit other islands? RamaThis Visa issue in the Caribbean is an absolute joke. Whilst I can understand the need for security, I think it is just a huge revenue raising ploy. Ewan J DixonI do not understand the visa requirement. Generally Caribbean is very lenient on visa requirements due to their tourism industry and now all of a sudden they are charging $100 for a visa. I believe the process of getting the visa is worse. I made hotel arrangements and tickets for two super eight games, I have not applied for visa, specially after hearing of all the problems. Simple solution is pay $50-100 fee and get the visa at the airport. I hope they sort it out soon. AhmedInformation on the issuing sites, visa application form and the Instruction Sheet are available on IMPACS website at: www.caricomimpacs.org.