Local News
Government Sets Oct. 1 Start for Higher Belonger, Resident Fees and Private Vessel Charges
The Department of Immigration announced that sweeping changes to immigration fees — including major increases for Belonger and Resident applications and new special clearance charges for private vessels and aircraft — will take effect on Oct. 1, 2025, under the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, dated June 30, 2025.
Under the revised structure, the Belonger status application fee will rise to $250 (previously no fee), and the Belonger status certificate will increase from $500 to $2,500. The residence status application fee will also be $250 (previously no fee), while the residence status certificate will climb from $300 to $1,500. Cards issued to holders of Residence or Belonger status will now cost $50, up from $10.
The new regulations also establish special and remote clearance fees for private vessels and aircraft. Vessels and aircraft requesting immigration clearance outside normal ports or hours will now pay between $500 and $2,000, depending on the location and number of passengers. These charges, which were previously not standardised, are intended to recover the additional costs of off-site or after-hours immigration services.
Other changes include:
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Landing permit extensions: $50 for the first extension and $100 for subsequent extensions (previously $10).
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Entry permit fees: $50 for new forms, extensions, or duplicates (previously $25 or no fee).
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Request to reside: $100 for applications and $50 for approvals or extensions.
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Appeal applications to the Immigration Appeals Board: $850 (previously no fee).
The Department said all applications received on or after Oct. 1 will be charged at the updated rates, which are part of its effort to modernise cost recovery and ensure the long-term sustainability of immigration services.
For more information, the public can contact the Department of Immigration at immigrationinfo@gov.vg or by telephone at (284) 468-4705/4700.
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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