The Virgin Islands will be introducing for the first time, a mobile application for visitors as the territory gets set to reopen its borders on December 1, 2020. Photo: Internet Source

The mobile application called BVI Gateway, will be used by visitors to upload their travel documents prior to their arrival.

Speaking to the upcoming initiative, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said BVI Gateway would be made active on November 2, 2020, at BVIGateway.BVIAA.com.

“Prospective travellers would be required to register on the BVI Gateway portal, and to upload their relevant documents. The application must be completed at least 48 hours prior to the intended flight,” he stated.

He also mentioned that the approval process would take the form of a BVI Gateway Traveller Authorisation Certificate, which will be obtained via the online portal.

“This Certificate streamlines the process at the BVI’s ports of entry—both air and seaports, and removes the need to fill out the paper versions of the same form. Immigration and Customs forms; and all supporting documentation would be readily available online to the relevant authority by merely entering the Certificate ID. Our aggressive adaptation of technology further ensures that we operate in a low touch, high tech environment,” he continued to explain.

Importantly, approved travellers must present their BVI Gateway Traveller Authorisation Certificate, along with their negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, at the check-in counter prior to boarding the flight into the territory.

The negative PCR test result should be obtained at least five days prior to travel, and persons testing positive would be denied approval to travel to the territory.

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Premier Fahie said, the online BVI Gateway Portal, mobile app, wearable technology and relevant system were all developed by Amber Group Limited, which is a global technology company based in Jamaica, with operations in 23 countries, including India, parts of Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, and Canada.

He said, “Their system has been tried and tested in a number of jurisdictions.”

He informed that the above-mentioned system is being managed by the BVI Airports Authority, which has entered into an agreement with the Amber Group, on behalf of the BVI.

The Amber Group Ltd is described as an innovative technology company offering a wide range of services in consumer smart vehicle security, smart fleet management, insurance, car dealership and car rental telematics.