Foreign charters no longer need licenses or work permits- Premier Wheatley
The announcement was made on Saturday, November 12, 2022, on the Government of the Virgin Islands Facebook page.
No trade licenses & work permits required!
According to Hon Wheatley, this change will come into effect from Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
“In an effort to provide a more efficient and streamlined experience for our incoming guests, effective the 15th of November we have taken the decision not to require BVI trade licenses from foreign based commercial recreational vessels conducting day or term charters or water taxis. Work permit will not be required for crew working on these vessels.”
Dr Wheatley said the government is formulating new policy and amendments to existing legislation that will recognise transient vessels, modify fees, and provide greater ease of access while ensuring that the economic value of locally-based charter operations is protected.
The Premier said his Government will continue to promote the “BVI-based businesses” and develop incentives and advantages for those so committed.
“This is already evident in some reduced fee levels for home-based charter operations and out BVI-based maritime businesses are returning,” Dr Wheatley stated.
Reactions to announcement
Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions.
Boater David Goodman, commenting on the Government of the Virgin Islands Facebook page, welcomed the initiative but said “actions speak louder than words” and that he was going to follow the issue closely.
“Let’s see what is really the effect of this announcement. Will the BVI customs and immigration officers on the front lines really change their ways and attitudes and treat us with respect? We will see,” Mr Goodman stated.
A Dennis Tonge said he used to run charters out of the USVI to the VI on a weekly basis.
“Pre-Covid it ran $1200 for a week just to charter in the territory for 8 guests. Then we made due without all hassle of the BVI government… get a stamp here. Go there and get another stamp. Pay this and that just to visit. I really enjoyed chartering the U.S.V.I. and it’s just as beautiful without all of the hassle. Make no mistake, the B.V.I. wants the money from the U.S. and I’m sure they’ll come back but after the way they treated the sailors from the U.S. during Covid, I would be surprised if you get half the tourism it used to be.”
According to Linda Phillips; however, “VI-based boats jump through a myriad of hoops to be here, work permits, trade licenses and ships registry. Now, why bother. US boats will be coming without working through each of these processes that cost money, aggregation and take months. Many tourists will opt to fly in and out of St Thomas where they can hop on their charter boat and then come and enjoy the BVI. I’m having trouble understanding how this move supports our marine industry.”
Uschi Mikoleiczik commented: “I don't quite follow, so USVI boats do not need to apply and pay for trade license and crew does not need to have apply and pay for a work permit, how is that going to be of any advantage for BVI-based vessels? That is in my eyes a great disadvantage, especially with the length of work permit and trade-license approvals.”
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41 Responses to “Foreign charters no longer need licenses or work permits- Premier Wheatley”
The foreigners dont need trade licenses and work permits but BVI based boats do?
How does that help?
Incredible
Likewise, Capt. Tonge may enjoy doing "domestic", USVI-only charters because he makes more money, but the market there has for the large part run its course. The chartering tourists want the BVI.
Now the premier needs to figure out how to make basing a charter yacht in the BVI more attractive (and he needs to figure out how to cut the nightmare of bureaucratic paperwork and red tape that it takes) without relinquishing the safety, and insurance requirements.
Remember, Hon. Premier, it’s about the money.
so all bvi based boats will have to keep plodding along doing all the stuff that we have had to do for years and a usvi vessel can just waltz in here without doing so.
i just paid a fortune in customs import fees to be fully based here..what a waste of money when u could be based somewhere who activelt WANT to be nice to tourists.
such a sell out
Now SLOWande going let these Europeans eat you all local food. Who you think Whites going to book for their charters? Not your black a*se.
Only now locals won't be able to work with these companies
What a J*** @$$
We need better governance now, and in the future for the people of the BVI. True friendship is somewhat like a two-way street, not a one-way road.
It is time to emacipate ourselves from internal (local) political slavery, beginning now, for the people of the British Virgin Islands.
run talk this.....
Some folks are given permission to build a residential home in the territory: those folks take that given property and turns it into a villa rental business and no ones touches them
More people directly supporting the service workers in JVD, Spanish town and all the small communities. Open for a handsome fee to foreign vessels doesn't seem short sighted, but common sense.
Very sad, but when a leader with a boy mentality is leading, nothing better than should be expected of him
.
In the sport of baseball, which of the two choice would you pick, hit the ball or the ball hit you?
In the administration of business, politics included, which of the two would be preferably to do, spend money so that others will make money or collect money from others, that will make money base on a decision made by you? Every good leader makes good choices most of the time, an ignorant and arrogant leadee don't.
Vote your conscience: like or dislike.