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VI visas soon on sale @ various airports- Premier Fahie

- Says initiative is part of Gov'ts plan to boost tourist arrivals
The new category of Visa to be introduced by the Government of the Virgin Islands will allow entry for one week. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has disclosed they territory will soon be selling a special category of visitor's Visa that can be purchased en route to the territory or at a local airport. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has disclosed they territory will soon be selling a special category of visitor's Visa that can be purchased en route to the territory or at a local airport. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - As part of an overall push to boost tourist arrivals in the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has disclosed the territory will soon be selling a special category of visitor's visa that can be purchased en route to the territory or at a local airport.

The Premier made the announcement at today's Tuesday, November 19, 2019, Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly during the the Virgin Islands' 2020 Budget Address.

New revenue streams 

"To support the growth of visitor arrivals and fill our hotel rooms, particularly with persons with spending power, special visitor's visas will be introduced allowing certain categories of visitors one week stay," he said.

"They would be able to purchase these Visas at the airport of their departure or here in the BVI and this would provide another revenue stream for the territory," Premier Fahie reasoned.

With immigration and border patrol still regarded as complex issues in the Virgin Islands, Premier Fahie has noted in the past that his administration would do what it takes to revive local industries via innovative solutions that can boost the local economy on behalf of the people.

Emergency airlift for tourists in Hurricane Season 

New initiatives were also announced to increase demand for the territory's tourism products, including during the Atlantic Hurricane Seasons.

"Your government working on a framework for providing emergency airlift for visitors out of the territory in times when disaster looms. The fact that we are vulnerable to hurricanes has been identified as one of the reasons some potential visitors are sceptical to travel to the BVI at certain times of the year which created an offseason," he said.

Hon Fahie added that visitors often worry about safety if a hurricane threat arises while vacationing in the territory. According to the territory's leader, "If we can assure our visitors that they will be guaranteed airlift capacity and an opportunity to get to safety they would be more likely to visit our shores."

20 Responses to “VI visas soon on sale @ various airports- Premier Fahie”

  • Really? (19/11/2019, 13:54) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    Here we go again, always finding new ways to sell out the territory.
    • @Really? (19/11/2019, 15:18) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      How is this selling out the country? Yahll NDPs are really silly
  • wow (19/11/2019, 15:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So now you'll have to spill out a few more $$$s for your passport stamp? The territory's tax scheme for visitors already makes us look like a banana republic, so why not add on a few more fees, user permits and costs for all those services not rendered?
  • Huh! (19/11/2019, 15:18) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is concerning!!!! This is a miss... please come with another strategy, because this isn’t it! Especially the fact that it can be purchased at an airport they choose to depart from???? Who came up with this crazy initiative??? Border patrol/ and security will definitely be at risk.... I can see it now! Identity theft, high profile criminals. (Kingpins) can purchase VI visa and hide away in nature’s little secret!!.... stop tampering with Immigration laws....
    • @HUH (19/11/2019, 15:25) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      You did read the part where it says the VISA allows a visitor to stay in the BVI for ONE WEEK right?
      • True (19/11/2019, 16:50) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
        that right and I am sure the criminals and illegals will leave within the 7 day period...
      • Hmm (20/11/2019, 08:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        And who is going to babysit them for a week when they come and gone through the shoot who going to find them!
    • hey (20/11/2019, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Did you not read that he said a special category of people not a free for all.. read nah smh
  • My girl (19/11/2019, 16:24) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why all the big confusion? the visa is only for 1 week. BVI people like confusion and to create confusion where there is none.
  • @HUH (19/11/2019, 17:13) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do you realize that there is no special screening taking place right??? Prime example: An individual that is deemed a pedophile and have money... yes the VI is a definite save heaven for all these latch-key children we have roaming free!!! A week yah say? Yessah... open the gates... human trafficking among other things.... keep playing around with immigration laws for the love of money and let’s see what the cry will be in the near future!!!!
  • two cents (19/11/2019, 18:36) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    This should be extended to persons with approved work permit and have a valid Clearance.
    • Fight to pay Salaries... (20/11/2019, 05:37) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Money needed at any means possible... Pay for your residents and belongers status. Thousands paid. Wonder how much have been process..? Like a scam. While people with 30 to 40 yrs in this place who's applications been in get looked over. Its about the money not principal, fairness and conscience.. Now they found another way. Civil Servants must get pay...Here is the best way to get money. Belonger by investment... A belinger card with condition limitation of 10 yrs. The investment must be in excess of half million dollar's.. A one percent non refundable application processing ee of untended cost of investments and a 7% approval and operational fee.. Now that's monies rolling in without a passport just a Belonger card. With a condition of filing for citizenship after 3 yrs of operation...An investment must be defined as the ability to hire more than 5 workers and agree to do so.. With the suggestion every one million dollar an investor invest. The treasury gets. $80.000.. Not bad. Plus employment for locals...
  • @Jack (19/11/2019, 18:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    We already don’t keep track of the people who came here and were expected to leave when their suppose to! This is why one may not be to hasty to jump on this....

    I can see why some may jump at this, mainly those who bring artists here/ hotel industry.... as they can see the financial gains within their pockets... however we need to and should always look at all the things that can go wrong and not just focus on all the things that can be right!

    Counterfeit visa’s is not far reaching to think about! There is a reason why other countries ensure that this process takes place through their embassies!

    If the VI want to have what I say is a fast track Visa to enter into the VI, noting what happened at the Buju show... then this visa should only be accessible through the Virgin Islands ports of entry upon entry... and fees attached to it should reflect a pretty coin... Important documents need to be presented... and a team needs to be in place to ensure that these individuals uphold their end of the bargain and leave when they art to....

    Or these visas can be available seasonal, like during festival, or music fest! Everything has a up and a down side... without the VI people bringing CONFUSION to make others stop and think another way! We will all be in a hand basket going straight to hell!!!
  • Norris Turnbull (20/11/2019, 03:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    "With immigration and border patrol still regarded as complex issues in the Virgin Islands," Premier Fahie.

    Hmm. The government VIP-NDP-PUP-CCM-Ronnie gang and the like, does not want to fix immigration ......this is not the way. end talk.
  • Suggestion... (20/11/2019, 05:10) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Children between the age of 3 and 16 with resident parent/s with proof of employment should not need a visa period. Just collect an child entrance permit fee of $25.00 per week of stay. Then a child can stay on a child permit up to 8 weeks at one visit Max.. This permit is a simple walking with the info and your money and get your child permit... This is good for the economy. These Children. They have to eat. Drink. West... I will also suggest that Social Development control this process...
  • Street reporter (20/11/2019, 05:44) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I'm wondering if its not Citizen by investment they mean.... If this is it... This can be a successful economic booster.. Its all depends and how its drafted . Make sure no giving of passport is involved..
  • Lameness (20/11/2019, 08:37) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this the best answer BVIs can come up for it’s diminished revenues? Tax upon arrival, environmental tax, departure tax (plus import duries, and property taxes for those outsiders who own property tax). And, now a tax for a visa? Would it not be better to start up a GoFund Me campaign for the gov? We need to face reality. We had the goose laying the golden eggs and had a GNP of more than $ 1 billion/year (now $ 400 million, so a 60% decrease) for 2 decades. We squandered it on mismanaged over budget projects not to mention rampant cronyism. Then we got hammered in 2017. Now we are close to broke. If you want more visitors, get rid of those taxes when arriving and leaving, especially for day visitors from USVI. Make it easier for outsider home owners to rebuild so there are more villas for tourist. Labor laws pretty much mean they are stick with local contractors, many of whom have not got the faintest idea how to manage all the work they do have to get it done in a timely and expedient fashion. Create incentives for people to come here. And, start collecting property taxes from delinquent locals, many of whom are not exactly indigent. Take a look at the tax rolls next time you’re in the tax collectors office if you don’t believe me.
  • lol (20/11/2019, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please sell the passport too and make money. We can also sell jobs and then sell the country. Whoever will may come without delay. Thank you premier you are doing such a good job now I see why were voted in you are the best.
  • But what (21/11/2019, 10:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Great USA sells their Visas wether you get or not


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