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Cabinet Approves Belonger Status and Permanent Residence Policy

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BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley to attend CARICOM meeting in The Bahamas.

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.

Local News

Fraser Appointed to Lead Environment and Planning in Cabinet Reshuffle

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Deputy Premier, Honourable Julian Fraser, has been appointed to lead the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, taking on expanded responsibilities that now include Building Inspection, Electrical Inspection, Housing, and Town and Country Planning. His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Daniel Pruce, formalised these changes through newly signed instruments of appointment, marking notable shifts in ministerial portfolios across key government departments.

The restructuring affects multiple ministries, beginning with the Premier’s Office, which will now oversee Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Veterinary services, previously managed under Environment. Additionally, Constitutional Advancement has been added as a formal subject of the Premier’s Office, strengthening its focus on constitutional issues.

Further changes see the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development gain oversight of Statistics, a function moved from Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, as well as District Councils, formerly managed by the Premier’s Office.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade has been renamed the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation. Its newly broadened remit includes Cooperatives, Industrial Development (including Incentives), Immigration, and the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment Development (RATED) Programme, along with Weights and Measures.

The Ministry of Communications and Works will now oversee Alternative Energy, a responsibility previously under the Ministry of Environment, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

The Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr Natalio Wheatley, remains responsible for the Premier’s Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development, and Digital Transformation. Dr Wheatley will be supported by Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Dr Karl Dawson, and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism, Honourable Luce Hodge-Smith.

These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to streamline government responsibilities, aligning ministerial remits to meet the evolving needs of the Virgin Islands. Under Section 56(1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, the Governor, with advice from the Premier, holds authority to assign ministerial responsibilities in writing, facilitating this latest reorganisation in service of the Territory’s administrative goals.

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Visa-Free Access for Guyanese Effective From Nov. 1 

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 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.

 

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Crime/Police

RVIPF Alerts Residents to Surge in Cryptocurrency Blackmail Scams

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The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has issued a warning to the public following a wave of blackmail scams targeting residents across the islands. Numerous individuals have reported receiving disturbing text messages demanding cryptocurrency payments, specifically in bitcoin, under threat of exposing allegedly compromising photos or sensitive information if they fail to comply.

RVIPF officials are advising residents to avoid responding or engaging with these messages. The police emphasize that scammers often exploit fear to pressure victims into payment, and any interaction can increase one’s vulnerability to further scams. Instead, recipients are encouraged to report these messages to the RVIPF for investigation and support.

“The RVIPF is actively investigating these cases to safeguard our communities,” said Detective Chief Inspector Kenrick Davis. “We urge residents to report any suspicious messages immediately and to avoid any communication with unknown or threatening contacts.”

To help reduce exposure to scams, the RVIPF advises the public to enhance their online privacy settings, particularly on social media, and to limit the sharing of personal information online.

If you receive or wish to report a blackmail attempt, please contact the RVIPF’s Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 for assistance and guidance.

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