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New Immigration Bill Aims to Clarify Residence and Belonger Status in the Virgin Islands
The Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2024, took its first steps towards implementation with its first reading during the Tenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly. The revised Belonger and Residence Status Policy was also tabled.
The move comes amidst a broader overhaul of immigration policies aimed at streamlining processes and providing clarity on residence and Belonger status.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, Mr. Joseph Smith Abbott emphasised the importance of the amendments, stating, “The provisions in the Bill address the periods of being ordinarily resident in the Territory to be considered for the grants of residence and Belonger status. Moreover, it enshrines the policy directives resulting from the wide consultation, which preceded the completion and adoption of the policy. Persons are encouraged to pay keen attention to the amendments to the principal Act.”
The impetus behind this legislative push stems from Recommendation B33 of the Commission of Inquiry, which highlighted the necessity for clear and published guidance regarding applications for residence and Belonger status. The bill seeks to offer clarity regarding the length of tenure required in the territory for the grant of such statuses.
Key provisions within the bill include delineating the length of time necessary for eligibility for Residence and Belonger status, establishing guidelines and criteria for awarding status by Cabinet, and outlining the process for determining quotas and an appeals process. Additionally, the bill addresses the paths to residence status for children and those born in the BVI to Non-Belonger parents.
Moreover, the bill sets out the responsibilities of various entities to gather and analyse crucial data on population, demographic trends, labor market conditions, and housing availability. It defines categories of residence certificates and the eligibility criteria and qualifications for such certificates.
Crucially, the bill ensures transparency in quota-setting activities through stakeholder consultations. It also assesses the potential economic and social impact of residence or Belonger certificates, underscoring the government’s commitment to holistic development.
The Board of Immigration will play a pivotal role in recommending annual immigration quotas for residence or Belonger certificates to Cabinet, aligning with quota-setting objectives and the territory’s capacity.
As the Virgin Islands government remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering national political, economic, and social development, the new Immigration and Passport Act and its amendments signal a proactive step towards a more coherent and inclusive immigration framework.
Citizens and residents alike are urged to familiarize themselves with these significant legislative changes.
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First Cohort of BVI Care Certificate Graduates as Territory Moves to Standardise Health and Social Care Training
Nineteen care professionals from across the British Virgin Islands have completed the Territory’s inaugural Care Certificate programme, marking a significant step towards standardised, quality care in both public and private health and social service sectors.
Nineteen participants—14 women and five men—completed the 16-week programme, which included face-to-face and online training sessions, independent study, practical demonstrations, and formal assessments. The Care Certificate was developed by Skills for Care, Health Education England, and Skills for Health, and has been adapted for the British Virgin Islands through the UK Health Security Agency’s Overseas Territories Public Health Strengthening Programme.
The graduates represented a wide range of care settings, including the BVI Health Services Authority (8), the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly (4), the Rainbow Children’s Home (2), the Virgin Gorda Home for the Elderly (2), and the Social Development Department’s Home Care Programme (3).
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent Wheatley, delivered congratulatory remarks at a brief graduation ceremony hosted by the Ministry. “This achievement is not just personal—it has direct impact on the health service delivery across the Territory,” he told the graduates.
Chief Nursing Officer and Programme Coordinator, Ms Jascinth Hannibal, emphasised the importance of the achievement. “Today, we do not simply celebrate achievement. We celebrate the birth of a new era in caregiving. You, our graduates, are pioneers in a programme created to instil excellence and affirm the dignity of service,” she said.
Ms Hannibal noted that the graduates bring with them a broad spectrum of professional experience, ranging from less than five years to over three decades. “The exchange of experiences within this group was nothing short of inspiring. I’ve learnt as much from you as you have from the programme,” she said.
She also underscored the responsibilities that come with certification. “Graduation does not mean you drop the ball. It means you are now held to a higher standard. You may even be called upon to guide and mentor others, or to serve as future assessors,” Ms Hannibal added.
Each participant will receive a Care Certified Badge and a certificate authenticated by the Ministry of Health and Social Development. The Care Certificate sets out defined standards for knowledge, skills, and behaviours expected of care professionals in their daily work and is expected to become the baseline requirement for all non-regulated personnel entering the health and social care workforce in the Virgin Islands.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to building a skilled and compassionate care workforce and enhancing public health standards throughout the Territory.
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In response to growing public concern over the status of emergency medical services on Virgin Gorda, the Minister for Health and Social Development and Ninth District Representative, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, issued a formal statement Friday confirming that the island’s ambulance is “fully operational” and currently in service.
“There was a brief period when the ambulance underwent routine servicing,” Minister Wheatley said. “During that time, contingency measures were implemented to ensure uninterrupted emergency response capabilities.”
Hon. Vincent Wheatley
Though he did not detail what those measures entailed, Minister Wheatley emphasized that emergency medical readiness was never compromised. He also extended thanks to the residents of Virgin Gorda for their patience during the temporary maintenance period.
The Minister’s statement follows a wave of concern across social media and in local circles about the island’s preparedness to handle medical emergencies, particularly in light of its geographic separation from the territory’s main hospital on Tortola.
“The safety and well-being of all residents remain our highest priority,” Wheatley stated. “We are committed to ensuring that Virgin Gorda, and all our Sister Islands, continue to receive the emergency medical services they rightfully deserve.”
Residents with questions regarding medical services have been encouraged to contact the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda or the BVI Health Services Authority directly.
This update comes as the territory continues to assess and strengthen healthcare services across its Sister Islands, many of which rely on limited resources and face logistical challenges due to inter-island travel and infrastructure constraints.
Minister Wheatley concluded his statement by reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and prompt communication when it comes to critical public services.
Liburd erases Ashley Kelly’s 400m record; Croal ranks 6th globally in 200m
Athletes from the British Virgin Islands made history at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships First-Round held in Jacksonville, Florida this week, setting new national records in the 400m and 200m events.
On 29 May, Kaelyaah Liburd ran 51.43 seconds in the women’s 400 metres, establishing a new BVI national record and qualifying for the second round of competition scheduled for 31 May. The performance breaks the previous mark of 51.63 seconds, set by Ashley Kelly, OLY, on 8 July 2017 at the Tru Fit Miami Invitational.
One day later, on 30 May, Jaleel Croal delivered a standout performance in the men’s 200 metres, clocking 19.95 seconds at the NCAA East Prelims. The result set a new BVI national record and currently ranks Croal sixth in the world for the 2025 outdoor season in the event.
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