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Visa Unit reports of bombardment & threats

The Visa Unit of the Virgin Islands Civil Registry and Passport Office, in its 2012 report laid in the House of Assembly on July 25, 2013 by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, said the security of officers was a concern due to the culture of easy access to staff by the general public. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Visa Unit of the Virgin Islands Civil Registry and Passport Office, in its 2012 report laid in the House of Assembly on July 25, 2013 by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, said the security of officers was a concern due to the culture of easy access to staff by the general public.

According to the report, an area that was taxing for the department is the culture developed over the years during which the general public had easy access to staff. “As a result, the Visa Unit would constantly be bombarded with calls and sometimes threats. This creates a real security risk for officers,” the report stated.

This was listed as one of the challenges faced by the Unit in 2012. Some of the other challenges were; a) misrepresentation of the facts, b) insufficient supporting documents, c) unemployment in the applicants’ country of residence, d) irregularities with applications and decisions made by the Immigration Department at the ports of entry.

“As a result of these challenges, the department is in the process of reforming the Unit so that we can be on par with our UK and Overseas Territory counterparts in the way we handle visa matters. Assistance is being sought from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Border Agency to bring all the other Overseas Territories in compliance with new changes. This is expected to be finalized by the end of 2013,” the report highlighted.

Outstanding check!

On the issue of passports, the Passport Unit noted that it still has an outstanding check of $25, 500.00 with 3M for the 2012 Annual Maintenance Fee for the passport system. “This check cannot be collected because the government is financially strapped, so this is one of our major challenges.”

It also noted that since the change in the passport equipment in 2007, to date applicants are still refusing to comply with the requirements to submit original supporting documents for the renewal of their Virgin Islands passports. This, it said, creates a burden on the office when nationals from other countries produce their documents, for the current passport system is designed to accommodate original documents only, as a safety measure.

There were some 2038 Virgin Islands passports issued in 2012, a slight increase when compared to 2011 when 2003 Virgin Islands passports were issued.

Naturalization

During 2012, 44 persons were naturalized as British Overseas Territories Citizens (BOTCs); whereas 62 children were registered as British Overseas Territories Citizens. This was an 18.87 decrease in persons naturalized as British Overseas Territories Citizens when compared to the previous year.

12 Responses to “Visa Unit reports of bombardment & threats”

  • A. Fahie (29/07/2013, 19:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW
  • ----------- (29/07/2013, 19:39) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    These foreigners with their expat NDP government in got balls now to do this to local workers at the visa unit
  • Joker (29/07/2013, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well saw
  • wellsa (29/07/2013, 21:52) Like (9) Dislike (57) Reply
    I read Visa Unit and Passport unit, but when I go in to renew my passport,it is one area with seats and I am asked to pick a number. There should be a receptionist that deals with passport only, so Virgin Islands Nationals do not have to sit amoung a crowd of people waiting to be called with thier visa application. Just like Immigration have a line for Residents and Non-Residents. And as for treats, I don't understand why people does come to these Virgin Islands and feel anything they request MUST be granted. Anyone that comes into the Passport office and treating any staff should be locked up and their visa application scrapped.
    • PROFILING (30/07/2013, 08:21) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
      THAT"S LIKE THE BLACK AND WHITE LINES!! SLAVERY CAN NEVER DONE IN THIS PLACE
  • long look me come from (30/07/2013, 00:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look what we come too
  • never again (30/07/2013, 06:43) Like (1) Dislike (31) Reply
    If deeds island people aint wah to pay for we VISA let dem Go Home.....end of story
    • lowkey (30/07/2013, 15:32) Like (3) Dislike (105) Reply
      deeds ? I think you meant "these" and who are you calling island people?? Do you know that Tortola is one of the smallest islands in the entire world ?????? It should instead be re-categorized as a ROCK seeing that it's so tiny. "deeds/these" island people are the ones keeping your economy afloat, buying all your reject foods, doing all your dirty work because BVI people think their fingers are made of gold so they refuse to perform hard work. no one is perfect but the BVI will fall if you continue to degrade and ridicule foreign citizens. I love the BVI, but the people here are unfriendly, small minded and VERY IGNORANT. Perhaps, all foreigners should really leave you selfish people to yourselves. let me give you an example of what will happen...you BVIslanders won't have anymore beautiful women/men to breed with because heaven knows most native BVIslanders are not of an appealing calibre. The few decent ones are mixed with "deeds/these" island people. Then you BVIslanders will happily return to reproducing with your brothers and sisters and cousins like you are so well known for. lol.... HUMBLE YOUR DARN SELVES YOU NATIVE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDERS !
  • Poor service (30/07/2013, 06:55) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    This sounds like an excuse for poor service. Where else in the world is contact with customers a bad thing.
    • I agree (30/07/2013, 10:14) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
      @poor service. I agree with u completely! When u go in u r greeted with sour faces, an attitudinal tone when u ask a question and make it worst if u want to just ask a question, they ignore u flat unless u bully ur way. They should take a note at Vehicle License, have a help desk/service desk as u enter. The friendly rep asks what u came to do, they then give u the instructions or direct u to the paperwork u need and necessary documents. When all is said and done they then give u a number. Easy and simple and no attitudes.
      • . (30/07/2013, 12:48) Like (1) Dislike (65) Reply
        A Visa is not a driver's license. It's a little more serious than that, it is a matter of national security. The reason you are getting an "attitudinal" tone is because they are wondering why in hell you and all your friends are flocking to our country, taking our jobs, demanding our rights and complaining when you do not get everything you ask for.

        Maybe it is time for you and your friends go back home before our attitudes get more "attitudinal."
  • Hmm (30/07/2013, 09:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I could understand you need original documents, however some of the documents are from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Sometimes its difficult because the originals might of got lost and you only have copies. In a case like that I can't see why they cant accept it.


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