‘$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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15 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