Local News
Visa-Free Access for Guyanese Effective From Nov. 1
A Welcome Change, but with Mixed Reactions
The introduction of a visa-waiver for Guyanese travelling to the British Virgin Islands, aimed at deepening ties with the oil-rich nation, has prompted mixed reactions from both Guyanese residents in the territory and those at home.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Natalio Wheatley confirmed that as of November 1, citizens of Guyana would no longer need a visa to visit the British Virgin Islands for up to six months, whether for tourism or business.
This move eliminates the often lengthy and complicated visa application process that had previously been a barrier for many.
“This step strengthens the bond between our countries and the region, facilitating greater ease in travel, trade, tourism, and investment. It underscores our shared vision of regional cooperation and opens new opportunities for people-to-people exchange. Many of our Caribbean brothers and sisters already benefit from visa-free access to the BVI, and we are pleased to extend this offer to Guyana, a giant in our Caribbean community,” Premier. Wheatley said during a press conference on September 30.
For many Guyanese, particularly those who have lived and worked in the BVI for more than two decades, the visa process had been a source of frustration.
Long-time resident Natasha, who has called the BVI home for more than twenty years, welcomed the change, describing it as long overdue.
“It really is about time that this was done,” Natasha smiled. “I’ve lived in the BVI for over twenty years and was very annoyed when I had to get a visa after being granted a work permit. Made no sense to me, but what can I say—when you’re in another man’s country, you adhere to their rules.”
The issue was first raised during a 2023 trade mission, when both the BVI government and private sector visited Guyana.
The British Virgin Islands is keen to position itself as a key player in Guyana’s burgeoning oil industry, offering specialised services in finance and other sectors.
At the same time, the Guyanese government is keen to ensure its citizens have the freedom to travel internationally with ease. Reflecting this shift, the United Kingdom in 2022 has also eased visa restrictions for Guyanese nationals.
While some share Natasha’s relief, others in Guyana are less enthusiastic. For many, the BVI has not been a primary travel destination, particularly as Guyana has gained visa-free access to the United Kingdom and streamlined visa procedures for European Schengen countries.
A Guyanese, who resides in Georgetown, added that, “After we’ve been given visa-free access to the UK and we can now get our Schengen visa right here in Guyana, the BVI is not really at the top of my bucket list of places to visit.”
Indeed, the perception that this new policy will lead to a surge of visitors from Guyana appears exaggerated.
A Guyanese who previously visited the BVI voiced her appreciation for the Territory but downplayed the likelihood of a major influx.
“I love the BVI, and yes, I would visit again,” she said, “but this notion that we are going to be passing through in the hundreds to take up permanent residence in the BVI is utter foolishness. I am quite happy being home.”
The exemption reflects a broader move by the BVI government to ease restrictions for Caribbean nationals, pushing for regional unity and enabling greater mobility across islands with historical and cultural links. Guyana, with its vibrant economy and close community ties across the Caribbean, is seen as an important partner in this vision.
While some are ready to embrace the opportunity, others view it as an optional advantage in an increasingly accessible world.
As the BVI opens its doors, the hope is that this policy will facilitate more meaningful exchanges between the two countries.
But whether it will lead to significant shifts in travel patterns remains to be seen.
In the words of Premier Wheatley, “We are pleased to extend this offer to Guyana,” but for many Guyanese, the decision may simply be a convenience, not a game-changer.
As international trade policies undergo seismic shifts, Caribbean leaders are urging a renewed commitment to regional cooperation to safeguard economic growth and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In a recent bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands Special Envoy Benito Wheatley and Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), H.E. Ambassador Noemí Espinoza Madrid, underscored the urgent need for deeper collaboration among Caribbean Basin nations and territories.
The two officials emphasized the pivotal role of the ACS in uniting its 35 Member States and Associate Members, facilitating development partnerships, and spearheading regional integration. With global trade realignments posing new challenges, both Wheatley and Espinoza highlighted the organization’s value in promoting sustainable growth through shared policy and strategic coordination.
“The ACS has an extremely important role to play at this time in mitigating the impacts of international trade policy on Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Wheatley. “The organisation is well positioned to facilitate closer cooperation across the Caribbean Basin with its strong focus on sustainable tourism, transport, disaster risk reduction, preservation of the Caribbean Sea, trade, and economic external relations.”
Ambassador Espinoza reiterated her commitment to a “successful, vibrant and sustainable Greater Caribbean,” aligning with a broader call for increased South-South and triangular cooperation — models that leverage partnerships among developing countries and external partners — to address pressing developmental challenges.
Wheatley reaffirmed the British Virgin Islands’ support for the ACS, noting that closer collaboration across the region would be essential in weathering economic uncertainty. He pointed to the upcoming ACS Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, as a critical opportunity to “redouble efforts” toward collective regional resilience.
The high-level meeting in Santiago gathered policymakers from across the hemisphere to assess progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. But behind the scenes, the discussions between Wheatley and Espinoza added another layer of urgency — one that reflects the growing consensus that the Caribbean must act in concert to protect its future.
As nations navigate a shifting global trade landscape, the message from Santiago is clear: the Greater Caribbean’s strength lies in its unity.
With flags raised high and spirits even higher, the 52nd CARIFTA Games officially opened this afternoon at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) delegation joined over 20 participating nations in a vibrant and colorful opening ceremony that signaled the start of three days of premier youth athletics in the Caribbean.
Team BVI, who departed the Territory on Thursday, April 17, arrived eager and ready to compete for podium finishes, national records, and personal bests. Accompanying the team are Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sharie de Castro, along with coaches, officials, BVIAA executives, and proud parents.
The BVI Delegation includes:
Athletes: Antuan Maduro, Andre Allen, Sam’Asia Leonard, Macayla Logan, McKenzie Crabbe, Jameila Chambers, Shyra Stoutt, Ty’Rique “TyTy” Charles, J’Den Jackson, Othniel Gillings, A’Sia McMaster, Kijana Callwood, Makeda Christopher, Romeena Davis, Jahrime Allen, Latriel Williams, Jah’Kyla Morton, Deneil Clarke, Tiondre “Dre” Frett, Jabari Pemberton, Mario Carter, Jaheem Lennard-Joseph, Lashawn Gibbs, Shannia Johnson
Officials and Support Staff: Minister Sharie de Castro, Coach Winston Potter, Shaumal Donovan, BVIAA President Steve Augustine, BVIAA General Secretary Stephanie Russ Penn
The 2025 Games, running from April 19–21, mark the return of the competition to Trinidad and Tobago for the first time since 2005. Expectations are high as the region’s top junior athletes gather to compete in track and field events, with powerhouses like Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Barbados already making strong impressions in preliminary sessions.
This year’s campaign builds on Team BVI’s impressive showing in 2024 at the CARIFTA Games in Grenada. M’kenzii Crabbe made headlines with a 12.40-second finish in the Girls U17 100m heats, while Tiondre “Dre” Frett captured bronze in the Boys U20 200m with a time of 22.18 seconds—highlighting the BVI’s growing strength on the regional athletic stage.
Team BVI is ready to make their mark on Caribbean athletics once again.
As global supply chains continue to face mounting pressure from economic uncertainty, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Dominican Republic have initiated high-level talks on the potential development of a regional economic hub to strengthen international trade across the Caribbean.
In a bilateral meeting held on the margins of the 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, British Virgin Islands Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley met with Dominican Republic Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugo Francisco Rivera Fernández. The talks took place in Santiago, Chile between March 31 and April 4.
Central to the discussion was the role of the Dominican Republic as an emerging economic linchpin in the Caribbean. Vice Minister Rivera emphasized his country’s expanding trade and transportation infrastructure, noting its strategic connections to North America, Central America, South America, and Europe. He outlined how these networks could offer valuable opportunities for smaller Caribbean economies—such as the BVI—seeking to diversify their trade relationships and enhance resilience amid global market volatility.
Mr. Wheatley echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation and the potential for closer commercial ties. “It was a pleasure to engage with Vice Minister Rivera to continue BVI-DR discussions on strengthening economic cooperation,” said Wheatley. “The impressive economic growth and development of the Dominican Republic over the past decade has seen the country emerge as a critical economic hub in the Caribbean. As a close neighbour, the British Virgin Islands can benefit from the Dominican Republic’s regional and international trade and transportation links.”
As part of the evolving dialogue, both parties discussed the possibility of a formal trade mission from the BVI to the Dominican Republic, aimed at laying the groundwork for expanded bilateral commerce.
The talks mark a strategic step forward in Caribbean regional integration, underscoring how small and mid-sized economies are working together to navigate global economic headwinds and build sustainable trade partnerships.
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