Local News
Cabinet Approves Belonger Status and Permanent Residence Policy
10-Year Requirement For Residence Status And Additional 10 Years For Belonger Status
Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the Belonger Status and Permanent Residence Policy in a move aimed at addressing immigration concerns.
This policy tackles aspects of immigration, including eligibility criteria, guidelines for awarding status, quotas, and pathways for children born in the BVI to non-belonger parents. Premier and Minister responsible for Immigration Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley underscored the policy’s focus on striking a balance between growth, integration, and stability. He emphasized that while recognising immigrants’ contributions, the policy also safeguards the interests and heritage of Virgin Islanders.
Under the new policy, applicants must have been ordinarily resident in the Territory for a minimum of 10 years to be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence. Additionally, applicants seeking Belonger Status by tenure must have been ordinarily resident for at least 20 years while holding a Certificate of Residence Status for a minimum of ten years.
The rationale behind the 10-year requirement for Residence Status and an additional 10 years for Belonger Status is deeply rooted in the territory’s values of cultural assimilation and economic contribution. This phased approach allows individuals ample time to integrate, contribute to, and understand the Virgin Islands community, ensuring that residents and Belongers are deeply invested in the territory’s culture, history, and customs.
“The new Immigration Policy proposes planning and decision-making processes that will inform the sustainable management of statuses granted,” Premier Wheatley stated. The approval followed careful analysis, considering factors such as labor market needs, population density, and investment fostering, to ensure balanced growth.
Importantly, tenure alone is not sufficient to determine eligibility for Permanent Residence or Belonger Status. The character and skills of an applicant, among other factors, must also be considered in the decision-making process.
Residents awarded Residence Status will need to renew their certificates every five years, ensuring ongoing compliance with local laws and regulations. This renewal process allows the Board of Immigration to monitor residents’ adherence to legal standards, assess their integration and contribution to the community, and evaluate their progress towards meeting the criteria for Belonger Status.
This strategic approach aligns with the government’s commitment to enhance administrative policies and procedures, as Acting Permanent Secretary Mr. Joseph Smith Abbott highlighted. Extensive public consultations, integral to the policy formulation, reflect the government’s dedication to governance, aligning with the Public Service Transformation Plan.
“This policy marks a significant step forward in our journey towards development and prosperity for all in the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Smith Abbott remarked.
The policy is now accessible on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ website, and further discussions will be held on the “Table Talk” program. This milestone underscores the government’s commitment to fostering progress through policies and programs.
Education
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
Dr Kedrick Pickering, former legislator and renowned obstetrician, has achieved international recognition with the release of his book, Walk in Faith & Medicine: Daily Lessons & Insights from a Doctor’s Handwritten Journal. Published on December 12, the 139-page Kindle edition has swiftly become the number one New Release in Obstetrics & Gynaecology on Amazon, earning Dr Pickering a place among Amazon’s International Best Sellers.
Walk in Faith & Medicine provides readers with a deeply personal account of Dr Pickering’s tenure as the only Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the British Virgin Islands for nearly three decades. The book intricately weaves his medical experiences with his spiritual reflections, offering profound insights into the challenges of practising medicine in a setting where resources were often limited, but faith and resilience were abundant.
Through heartfelt anecdotes, Dr Pickering recounts the joys and struggles of his career, from the miracle of delivering life under difficult circumstances to the strength he found in spirituality when faced with adversity. Each chapter sheds light on the delicate balance between clinical expertise and moral contemplation.
The book’s release has received widespread acclaim, resonating with audiences in both medical and spiritual communities. Its success highlights Dr Pickering’s unique ability to capture the human side of healthcare while addressing universal themes of faith and hope.
Walk in Faith & Medicine is available exclusively as a Kindle edition and is already being hailed as an inspirational must-read.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) brought smiles to the faces of over 100 children in the British Virgin Islands with a generous donation of Christmas gifts. The initiative, held on December 16, was a collaborative effort between the FCCA, the Government of the Virgin Islands, and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).
The festivities took place at YEP Headquarters in East End, where children were treated to a festive celebration. Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship donned Santa Claus and other character costumes, adding to the magic of the occasion. The event also received sponsorship from Diamond International.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley expressed his gratitude for the FCCA’s ongoing commitment to the Virgin Islands community. “The leadership of the FCCA is a thoughtful group of individuals. For more than two decades, their gift-giving has brought smiles and filled hearts with joy and hope during this special time of year,” said Premier Wheatley. “On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend our sincere thanks to the FCCA and their co-sponsors for their generosity.”
Minister for Ports Hon. Kye M. Rymer highlighted the FCCA’s enduring partnership with the territory. “Their commitment to gift-giving for over 20 years deserves our acknowledgment,” said Rymer. He also commended the BVI Ports Authority for its collaboration with the FCCA in supporting such initiatives.
Director of YEP Hon. Stacy Mather shared his appreciation for the FCCA’s efforts. “This marks our second time receiving gifts from this initiative. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful for this generosity,” he said. “Thanks to the kindness of FCCA, Diamond International, and others, our Christmas celebrations begin a little earlier.”
The event was moderated by Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms. Haley Trott, and attended by Junior Minister for Tourism Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith, Deputy Director of YEP Ms. Bianca Dougan, and other community leaders.
As the festive season brings increased consumer activity, the British Virgin Islands Bank Association (BVIBA) has issued a stern reminder to merchants across the territory regarding compliance with card transaction policies.
The association warns that imposing minimum spending requirements or charging additional fees for card payments is not only against their merchant agreements but also violates regulations established by major payment networks, VISA and Mastercard.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, December 18, warns that merchants engaging in these practices are in breach of their contractual obligations with their respective financial institutions. “We request that all merchants immediately cease these practices to ensure compliance,” the statement read.
The BVIBA comprises several prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, CIBC Caribbean, FirstBank PR, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Popular, Republic Bank (BVI) Limited, and VP Bank (BVI) Limited.
For inquiries or guidance on compliance, the BVIBA advises merchants to contact their respective banks promptly.
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
FCCA Spreads Holiday Cheer in the British Virgin Islands with Christmas Gift Donation
BVI Bank Association Warns Merchants Against Card Transaction Violations
-
Crime/Police1 week agoLarge Quantity of Drugs Seized At Port Purcell
-
Crime/Police1 week agoPolice Crack Down on Property Crimes Across the Territory
-
Crime/Police1 week agoMultiple Arrests Made for Offenses Ranging from Criminal Damage to Immigration Violations
-
Education4 days agoFormer Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
-
Crime/Police1 week agoPolice Ramp Up Arrests for Firearm and Explosives Offenses Across the Territory
-
Local News4 days ago
RVIPF Launches Investigation Into Video Allegedly Inciting Political Violence on Social Media
-
Crime/Police1 week agoRVIPF Report Multiple Assault Arrests Across the Territory
-
Business4 days agoBVI Bank Association Warns Merchants Against Card Transaction Violations