Local News
Government to Announce Removal of Visa Restrictions for Guyanese Citizens, Sources Reveal
The British Virgin Islands government is set to announce on Monday, September 30, the removal of visa restrictions for citizens of Guyana, according to a source close to the Premier’s Office.
This change will enable travellers from the resource-rich South American nation to visit the British overseas territory without the need for a visa.
Discussions regarding this new development took place during a 2023 trade mission to Guyana led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Lorna Smith.
“I’ve had discussions with the Premier. In fact, I’ve asked him very directly about the visa situation because Guyanese do require a visa to visit the BVI. He has authorised me to say that we are considering lifting that requirement, and I expect that to happen very soon,” Smith remarked last year, while noting the BVI’s commitment to establishing stronger economic ties with Guyana.
The decision follows a two-year period since the United Kingdom lifted visa entry requirements for Guyanese nationals.
Guyana’s burgeoning economy, largely driven by its substantial oil reserves, has attracted global interest from countries eager to engage with the only English-speaking country in South America.
Notably, on September 27, it was announced that Guyana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a mutual visa-free travel agreement during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States.
With a population of just over 700,000, Guyana has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing economy following a major oil discovery in 2015 by ExxonMobil.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported a staggering GDP growth rate of 62.3% in 2022, marking the highest real GDP growth globally for that year.
By early 2024, the country had ramped up its crude oil production to 645,000 barrels per day.
The former British colony’s recoverable oil and natural gas resources are estimated at over eleven billion oil-equivalent barrels, with further explorations ongoing in its offshore waters.
Since then, ExxonMobil, alongside partners Hess and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), has identified more than thirty additional offshore discoveries in the Stabroek block.
As of September 2024, the BVI has a population of 39,534, according to United Nations estimates. Among this diverse population, Guyanese nationals make up approximately 7.2%.
Guyanese individuals have a long history of migrating to the BVI, contributing to various sectors such as education, tourism, media, and healthcare.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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