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.

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The engagement comes as the Virgin Islands advances a broader strategy to expand its cruise sector while placing greater emphasis on long-term value and sustainability amid increasing visitor arrivals.

The conference, which runs from April 13 to 16, has provided an opportunity for the delegation to engage in discussions with key industry stakeholders, strengthen existing relationships and explore new collaborations aligned with the theme, “Beyond the Horizon: Leveraging Cruising’s Strength and Scale to Drive Innovation.”

“A key focus of the Territory’s strategy is the expansion of relationships with smaller, luxury cruise lines,” Honourable Rymer said. “These vessels … offer opportunities for more immersive visitor experiences and stronger potential to convert cruise passengers into overnight guests.”

He said the approach builds on recent developments, including partnerships with brands such as the Orient Express Yacht, which has expanded the territory’s cruise portfolio.

Officials said the delegation is also highlighting sustainability efforts and other strategic priorities aimed at positioning the Virgin Islands for continued growth within the global cruise industry.

The delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Works, the BVI Ports Authority, the BVI Tourist Board, Tortola Pier Park and private sector stakeholders.

Seatrade Cruise Global is one of the cruise industry’s largest events, attracting more than 11,000 professionals from over 120 countries and serving as a platform for destinations to strengthen partnerships and secure future cruise business.

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The cancellations, tied to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, affected hubs such as Miami International, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International, Orlando International, and Tampa International airports. The FAA said it was reducing daily flight volumes by up to 10 percent at about 40 airports nationwide to manage staff shortages among air-traffic controllers.

By midday Friday, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport had reported 18 flight cancellations and 81 delays, while additional disruptions were recorded at other Florida airports, according to the flight-tracking service FlightAware. The FAA said the measures are temporary but will remain in effect until staffing levels stabilize.

The reductions have created a ripple effect for travelers across the Caribbean, where many passengers rely on connections through Florida to reach destinations such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. Airlines have warned that passengers may face rebookings and limited seat availability on remaining flights.

The FAA confirmed that flight-capacity reductions could expand to as much as 40 percent at select airports if the shutdown continues, though it emphasized that safety operations remain fully staffed. The agency has not provided a timeline for when normal service will resume.

Travel industry analysts said that while international routes to the Caribbean remain technically exempt from the cuts, the cancellations in Florida are likely to continue affecting regional tourism and logistics in the coming days.

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Speaking in the House of Assembly on November 6, during the presentation of the 2025 Budget Estimates, Hon. Wheatley emphasised that the expansion should not be viewed as traditional borrowing under the existing financial management protocols but rather as a developmental investment that will deliver lasting social and economic benefits to the territory.

“The airport expansion is not merely an infrastructure upgrade,” the Premier stated. “It is a strategic investment in the territory’s future that will yield significant social and economic transformation of the Virgin Islands.”

The proposed expansion is a central component of the government’s broader growth strategy, which seeks to enhance the Virgin Islands’ global connectivity, attract higher visitor arrivals, and create new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

According to Hon. Wheatley, discussions with the United Kingdom continue regarding adjustments to the Protocols for Effective Financial Management, to ensure the project can move forward under a framework that recognizes its developmental importance. He noted that the expansion aligns with the National Sustainable Development Plan, particularly the goal of building modern and resilient infrastructure to support long-term economic growth.

The Premier said that improved air access will help strengthen key industries such as tourism and financial services, while also creating jobs during and after construction. “This project will expand opportunities for Virgin Islanders and position the BVI as a more competitive destination in the region,” he said.

Hon. Wheatley added that his administration remains committed to fiscal responsibility even as it pursues major projects that will drive future growth. “Our aim is to balance sound financial management with strategic investment,” he said. “The airport expansion represents exactly that balance — progress built on prudence.”

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The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) will showcase the Territory’s luxury tourism offerings at the upcoming Signature Travel Network Conference 2025, scheduled for November 10 to 13 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

Representing the BVI at the event will be Ms. Shonda Maduro, Business Development Manager for the Northeast Region, and Ms. Shaekhoya Matthew, Business Development Manager for the Southeast Region.

Director of Tourism, Mr. Clive McCoy, said the conference provides an important platform to strengthen relationships with top travel advisors and industry partners.

“It is important for the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission to attend this conference to continue our engagement with Signature’s vast network of top-tier travel advisors,”

McCoy stated. “To remain relevant in the rapidly changing travel industry, we must continue to forge partnerships within distribution networks that align with the BVI’s reputation for curating luxury travel experiences.”

McCoy added that maintaining strong partnerships and increasing awareness of the Territory’s unique offerings are key parts of the BVITBFC’s marketing strategy.

The Signature Travel Network is a global alliance of independent travel agencies and suppliers that collaborate to expand marketing reach, share expertise, and strengthen supplier relationships.

The BVITBFC partners with Signature, as well as with other leading travel networks such as Virtuoso and Traveller Made, to position the British Virgin Islands as a premier destination for luxury travel.

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Speaking at the opening ceremony at Maria’s By The Sea Hotel, Premier Wheatley described the conference’s theme — “The Human Touchpoint: Redefining HR Excellence in Caribbean Tourism” — as a timely reflection of the region’s core values. “Planes, hotels, or technology don’t power our industry; people power it,” he said. “By the front desk agent who greets you with a smile. By the chef who pours love into every dish. By the housekeeper, the tour guide, the taxi driver — by every single person who makes the Caribbean experience what it is.”

The premier said the conference serves to recognise and prepare tourism workers for a future in which human excellence remains central to the industry’s success. “This conference is about putting people — our most valuable resource — front and centre. It’s about celebrating them, training them, and preparing them for a future where human excellence remains the soul of Caribbean tourism,” he added.

Delegates from across the region, including the British and United States Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, the Cayman Islands, as well as representatives from Florida and Canada, are attending the Oct. 28–31 event.

In her remarks, Mrs. Sharon Flax-Brutus, Interim Executive Director of the BVI Yachting, Hotel, and Tourism Association, said redefining human resources requires a people-centred approach. “Redefining HR today means looking beyond policies and procedures to focus on our people, their purpose, and their well-being,” she said.

Dr. Kendra Roach, Chapter President of SHRM Virgin Islands, said redefining HR excellence is a shared duty. “It is a call not only to leadership but to collective responsibility,” she told delegates.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbott, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, and included remarks from Mrs. Delma Maduro, Chair of the BVI Tourist Board, and Mrs. Donna Regis-Prosper, Secretary General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Philip Mondor, President and CEO of Tourism HR Canada.

Local vendors were also present, offering delegates an opportunity to purchase Virgin Islands-made products and souvenirs.

Over the coming days, attendees will participate in plenary sessions, panel discussions, and master classes on topics such as “Reimagining Employee Experience,” “Leveraging Talent and Culture,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “Building Trustworthy Workplaces,” “Women in Tourism,” and “Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity for Leadership.” Delegates will also take part in field tours showcasing the Virgin Islands’ tourism offerings.

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“This appointment is both an important recognition of the BVIAA’s achievements and a strategic opportunity for the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Rymer said. “As we advance our runway extension and airport expansion programme, the strengthened regional ties and direct access to global expertise provided through ACI–LAC will help accelerate our efforts to deliver a modern, safe, and internationally compliant airport.”

Mr. Menal represented the authority at the ACI–LAC annual conference in Trinidad, where the appointment was formalised, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, governing-member status provides access to technical cooperation, international best practices in airport design and operations, and engagement with funding and partnership networks. The BVIAA plans to apply insights on air-service liberalisation, sustainability and airport modernisation to its runway and terminal planning to meet international standards.

The ministry said the membership also offers technical assistance, knowledge sharing and capacity-building programmes in project management, procurement and operational readiness. Those initiatives are expected to inform engineering, environmental mitigation and phased construction for planned upgrades, as well as broaden access to regional partners and financing mechanisms.

“This milestone, achieved under the stewardship of Mr. Menal and the BVIAA team, strengthens our capacity to deliver an expanded airport that meets global standards and supports sustainable growth,” Mr. Rymer said.

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Speaking at a workforce summit on St. Thomas, Haldane Davies, director of the V.I. Bureau of Economic Research, said the sector appears to be “facing some challenges,” the Consortium reported. Kennon Jones, executive director of the V.I. Professional Charter Association, linked recent moves by operators to the BVI’s fee and licensing structure for foreign-based charter yachts, saying, “It’s still obviously a very critical industry. It is going to be down next year, just by virtue of the way things are currently,” according to the Consortium.

Dr. Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands, said the territory should use the moment to expand maritime training beyond marine science. “I think here is America’s paradise,” she said, adding, “The only way we can do that is through more training … of both captains, yacht captains, boat engineers, [and] boat mechanics,” the Consortium reported.

Joseph Cranston, marine manager for the V.I. Port Authority, described a “revitalization” under way and urged residents to pursue marine careers. “It’s the door opening, and it’s for them to find the right path and pursue it to the end,” he said, adding, “We’re coming back strong,” according to the Consortium.

Looking ahead, Mr. Davies suggested closer USVI–BVI cooperation, asking how officials might address the industry’s challenges “in a way that would still allow that strong economic and familial tie that exists between both sides to continue,” the Consortium reported.

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The trademarks, registered for 10 years beginning May 7, 2024, include: The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the World; British Virgin Islands – The Undisputed Sailing Capital of the Caribbean; and The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the Caribbean.

Tourism Director Clive McCoy said the move strengthens the territory’s identity in a competitive market. “The British Virgin Islands has long been recognized as one of the best sailing destinations in the world thanks to our steady trade winds, navigable channels, manageable currents, multiple islands and protected bays,” McCoy said. “Securing these trademarks is a powerful step in protecting our identity, strengthening our position in the international market and ensuring that travelers, sailors and partners alike associate the BVI with sailing excellence.”

The British Virgin Islands has historically been promoted as a hub for yachting and sailing tourism, drawing visitors for regattas, yacht charters and cruising across its 60 islands and cays. Officials said the trademarks will provide additional protection for the territory’s brand while supporting global marketing campaigns aimed at reinforcing the BVI’s reputation in the sailing sector.

Tourism accounts for a significant portion of the BVI’s economy, with sailing and yachting considered core attractions. By registering exclusive rights to the sailing-focused phrases, the territory seeks to safeguard its image against misuse and ensure consistency in how the BVI is presented in international tourism markets.

The Tourist Board & Film Commission said the trademarks will be featured in future advertising, digital promotions and destination branding efforts as part of a broader strategy to link the BVI name with sailing experiences.

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According to the Department of State, most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including individuals under 14 and over 79, will be required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer. Exceptions apply to applicants under specific classifications, including A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants, servants or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, and TECRO E-1. Applicants for diplomatic or official visas, and those renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or Border Crossing Card within 12 months of expiration — provided the applicant was at least 18 when the prior visa was issued — may also qualify for a waiver.

In addition to the revised waiver guidelines, the Department of State has introduced expanded screening and vetting requirements. Applicants for F, M and J nonimmigrant visas will now be required to set all social media profiles to public visibility as part of the review process.

The Civil Registry and Passport Office encouraged individuals seeking more information on these changes to consult official U.S. government resources.

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