Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) is expected to update the public this week on the Clear Path to Regularisation: Residency and Belonger Status Programme' aka the ‘Fast Track’ initiative. Photo: VINO/File

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) addresses the audience at the Clear Path to Regularisation meetings, which began on May 13, 2019 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: Facebook/File

The ‘fast track’ initiative was re-launched on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, following the passage of the Immigration and Passports (Amendment) Act 2019 and the public had up to August 16, 2019 to submit their application and accompanying documents. Photo: Facebook

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) who is expected to update the public this week on where the process stands at this time.

Our newsroom has been receiving many calls from persons who applied for either Residency or Belongership, or in some cases both, under the programme and have claimed they are not getting any “real answers” from the Immigration Department.

The regularisation programme, which received strong opposition from locals, had been postponed infinitely on the evening of May 23, 2019, for public consultations. It was re-launched on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, following the passage of the Immigration and Passports (Amendment) Act 2019 and the public had up to August 16, 2019 to submit their application and accompanying documents.

Following consultations, 3rd Generation Virgin Islanders living overseas were included in the policy and the ceiling for consideration for Belonger Status was increased from 15 years to 20 years.

4^th Generation Virgin Islanders to be included

Speaking with reporters on October 2, 2019, Premier Fahie said the policy will now include fourth generation Virgin Islanders to be regularised.

“We're going to look to see if there is a window to extend some time with the regularisation for those who have made here their home for so many years,” Hon Fahie stated.

“So we're reviewing if we should open that again and allow it for a finite time, seeing that we have more room to operate from now that the fourth generation is coming into place, so that as much opportunity as possible for persons who are here and have contributed positively to the BVI over the years will have as much opportunities as possible to apply and see if they have been approved.”

Hon Fahie also said Government will make an announcement this week on the initiative, “because we have to extend the time to allow the fourth generation Virgin Islanders to also be able to come to immigration, pick up their forms and prove that they are fourth generation Virgin Islanders, and they too will also pay the cost to have that fast tracked.”

The premier praised his Premier’s Special Projects team, Immigration Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, staff of the Premier’s Office and others involved in the initiative, “young, middle aged and old that have been working to bring this project to formation and the special team that has been working on certain other areas like 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days. So there are a lot of initiatives that the Premier’s Office and the Government of the Virgin Islands are working on.”