News
No mass deportations of expats with new immigration reforms—Premier Wheatley
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI—The government of the Virgin Islands has no intention of deporting expatriates en masse, according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), responding to concerns raised during a House of Assembly (HoA) debate on amendments to the immigration laws on April 22, 2025.
UPDATE: VI & USVI discussing proposed amendments to charter boat legislation
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- A delegation led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, engaging their USVI counterparts on the proposed amendments to the charter boat legislation and their wider impact on the Greater Virgin Islands.
Maritime (Amendment) Bill 2025 approved with amendments
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 2025, promulgated by Premier and Minister for Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), was approved on March 31, 2025—with further amendments.
Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill ensures VI retains Cat 1 status- Hon Smith
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE, (AL), the Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, said amendments to the Merchant Shipping Bill will ensure the Virgin Islands (VI) retains its Category 1 status.

