‘$2500 is nothing to pay for Belongership’- Skelton-Cline
The new immigration fees took effect on October 1, 2025, following the enactment of the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations 2025 on June 27, 2025.
The new fee structure includes Application for Residence and Belonger Status: Processing Fee: $250, Grant Fee: $2,500 (previously $500), and Certificate of Residence Grant Fee: $1,500 (previously $300).
Fees haven’t changed in decades
During his show, Honestly Speaking, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, on ZBVI 780 AM, Skelton-Cline sought to explain that immigration fees had been stagnant for quite some time
“It’s been a couple decades in most instances where these fees have not been touched, for so many of [these] fees, and that’s a fault of ours administratively in incrementally moving these fees, but these fees have been the same for at least two decades.”
He, however, said, anyone who is seeking to become a Belonger should not complain about the $2500 cost, as they are qualified, eligible and have put in the time in the VI in order to get Belongership.
“Now it’s time to get your Belongership that affords you certain rights and privileges in this country, and you complain that it cost $2500?”
It is minuscule
Skelton-Cline said the other question being raised, whether the sudden fee increase is a deterrent to prevent people from becoming Belongers, is not justified.
“Now come on, guys, from deterring them? You are going to be free from the control of Labour, Immigration, you have a right to purchase land, get trade licenses, you becoming a Belonger of a country, you cannot be complaining about $2500…I am telling you that $2500 is nothing to pay for Belongership, a fee in this country, it is minuscule.”
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), during a press conference on October 3, 2025, said a review of these new fees will be undertaken.
“I’m going to review that with members of the cabinet and members of my caucus. We will review the fees. I have received some representation already, and we will take a look at it and see if we will have to revise those fees in any particular way,” he said.
However, Skelton-Cline voiced his disapproval of a review of the new immigration fees.
“And government, this whole notion that you are going to review fees, for God in Heaven's sake, go sit down. Make some other decisions materially about things that are going to happen in this country, stop monkeying around with this kind of stuff, and don’t let folks throw you off your aim.”
He called on the government to be honest with the people and explain to them the reasoning behind what is being done.
See links to related stories
https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/im-going-to-review-immigration-fees-premier-wheatley
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33 Responses to “‘$2500 is nothing to pay for Belongership’- Skelton-Cline ”
*^%$#@g id**t , we already did 25 years in this country, we already paid that price , the little piece of plastic card is worth $10.
This place is getting worse by the frigging minute.
Solo te digo nunca buske un voto de un emigrante k nadie te lo dará abusador es muy bueno hablar a sí es k no kieren k el emigrante consiga nada para estar esprimiendolos
One of these days, we will realize how much these same “Island People” give to our country. We treat them like dogs like they begging us for something. Everybody migrates for better, but this lil country sapping every dollar they trying to save. The prejudice towards them needs to stop. We will prosper if we treat outsiders better, but this little nature’s secret is more of a dump heap. The Town smell bad, the roads bad, look at our national parks in Road Town, a real disgrace. But I guess these high increases are a means of also helping to fix all the bad infrastructure and stinking sargassum about the place. Shame on the BVI Government. I am a citizen, but I will stand and advocate for Island people anytime.
-Disgusted
Claude Cline-Skelton you can purchase land without being a Belonger. stop spreading false narratives. When you are free from immigration control you do not have to show documents.
Mr Claude,try not come against the expats, they will boycott you business,it won’t survive without them,soon and pretty soon you will cry for the sales of the months to come. Keep prayed up.
Those people now have Caricom rolling out working without work permits,and they will go especially those in construction and marine industries. Please Mr. Claude ,House mortgage have to pay and bank ain’t joking about their money,you mortgage done pay ,ours have to pay.stop irritating the people.
If we were working for big money like you it would've been petty change for us. Anyways I guess yours already get theirs so you don't give a ^%$# about any new application
The previous belongership fees were long outdated, and this recent adjustment was both necessary and reasonable, especially when we consider inflation and the economic realities of our territory today. If someone truly wishes to become a belonger, they should have already been contributing meaningfully and actively to our society. In a small community like ours, it is fair to expect that such individuals are productively engaged in work or business that allows them to save and pay these fees without difficulty.
We also have to be realistic about our country’s capacity. The BVI is a small society with limited governmental and social resources, and those resources are already stretched to support our own people who are struggling. It would not make sense to extend belongership to individuals who are not self-sufficient and who may potentially add to those burdens.
Belongership should not be pursued out of convenience or entitlement. It should represent a proven record of meaningful contribution, commitment, and independence. Anyone applying for belongership should do so because they have already invested in the betterment of this community, not because they view it as a safety net.
In that context, a fee of $2,500 is not unreasonable. It reflects the value of the privilege being sought and the seriousness of the commitment that comes with it.