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Gov’t to waiver visitor’s visa for certain countries to boost tourism

As one of several initiatives to boost tourism and ultimately the economy, the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has plans to lift visitor’s visa restrictions for certain countries. Photo: Internet Source/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As one of several initiatives to boost tourism and ultimately the economy, the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has plans to lift visitor’s visa restrictions for certain countries.

Noting that the VI’s main tourism products and attractions remain intact and so does the demand for it, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a statement under the theme ‘Get ready to move: Our economy is going into overdrive’, on April 16, 2021, Premier Fahie said tourist arrivals will get an additional boost when the territory launches a special visitor’s VISA waiver for persons from specific countries who may have been deterred from visiting the VI due to current VISA restrictions.

“Such persons would be able to visit the Virgin Islands on a one-month single entry VISA once they have a return airline ticket and proof of secured and approved accommodation.

“This will benefit our hotels, villas and other accommodations, car rentals, taxi and tour operators, restaurants and other businesses,” Hon Fahie stated.

Visa restrictions

There are over 90 countries whose nationals required a visa to enter the Virgin Islands.

See list below:

No photo description available.

32 Responses to “Gov’t to waiver visitor’s visa for certain countries to boost tourism”

  • not so sure (18/04/2021, 10:32) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    I just read the list of countries who require Visas to enter the Virgin Islands. I don’t see one on there that’s worth taking the risk with. Good luck getting them to leave once they get here..But hey, those who are already here aren’t leaving anyway.
    • Worth a try (18/04/2021, 15:01) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      Hold their passport upon arrival, so we don't have them crossing over to the usvi illegally creating a BVI problem for USVI,. No more than three weeks Stay,, . make sure they report where they will be staying and immigration can do periodical check to make sure They are where they say they will be,,,
  • omg (18/04/2021, 10:46) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    A bit to late my dear
  • Desesperado (18/04/2021, 10:52) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Desperate times and desperate measures
  • New money (18/04/2021, 11:54) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    One way to boost the economy would be to reduce the transfer tax from 12 pc to 6 pc.
    • @New money (19/04/2021, 06:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      NOOO! And have foreigners buying up land over Belongers like crazy...nooooooo.!!
  • musa (18/04/2021, 13:05) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The place with the most crimes in the Caribbean don't need a Visa to come in the bvi , t&t must be doing something good .
    • @musa (18/04/2021, 21:18) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      There is not a high influx of T & T nationals, the high influx is from Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and Dominican Republic
  • trouble (18/04/2021, 13:14) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why why why and more why by doing this we putting our self in trouble. Our BVI is doing just fine..
  • Really? (18/04/2021, 13:23) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    "Our economy is going into overdrive" I think he meant our economy is going into overdraft.
  • jj (18/04/2021, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Over you have a US Visa you can already come visa free, is that still a policy?
  • Lucifer (18/04/2021, 13:53) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    It’s difficult enough getting here from non visa countries with the unreliable airlines that operate at beef island. Until you expand the airport for big planes and get direct flights from the mainland US and UK tourism will never boom like it should here
  • 1st District (18/04/2021, 14:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So we open to more Africans to visit one(1) day and get exemptions soon after!!
  • Now they talking Sense... (18/04/2021, 14:36) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    This was one one of the driving forces in our great economy in the 80s, Parents bring their children when school break on vacation...This keeps Super mrkets full, Restaurants full, clothes store full, hair and beauty saloon full, Airlines full.... I think we should start with no Visa for all Children 17 and under no matter which country they coming from.... Once they have a relative here he will be respinsible for them while they are here...
  • Sometimes (18/04/2021, 15:39) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sometimes you all have to sit and analyze the situation before you make such drastic move, like when you all made such hasty decision to get people who was boosting the economy, expats contributed by paying in so much for work permit, rent etc. its just the way in which it was said that makes it sounds bad. Its not what you say but how you say things. These things tends to leave a bitter taste in ones mouth. Next time think before you act.
  • Amazing (18/04/2021, 15:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    this little place have persons from all over the universe crazy to enter then forget to return to home country it have to be the greenback this little plot of land have no industries or no manufacturers my goodness it is fascinating how some come cuss day in day out some have no self respect but can't get them leave this included people of all races
  • Captain Hook (18/04/2021, 16:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why China allowed and not Hong Kong or Taiwan? SMH....somethings fishy
  • watch (18/04/2021, 16:24) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well at least we will have more strippers . SMFH
  • Curious (18/04/2021, 16:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He said certain countries. No countries were really named. A list of all countries where a visa is required is provided. Am I wrong in thinking he did not mean from every one of those countries. And why has the reporter not named the countries not exempted from visas? Talk about half a story and wild commenting. Stupes.
  • Norris Turnbull (18/04/2021, 17:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is utter nonsense
  • Real (18/04/2021, 17:32) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    American citizens are the most people that visit the British virgin islands why aren't they required visas to come here if they so want to boost economy.
    • @Real (19/04/2021, 10:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      NO Country bands American visitors... that I know of. It's like a worldwide rule for Americans for some reason.
    • Sensealone (20/04/2021, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly and oppositely we bvi belonger have to pay and go through so much to get visas to go America
  • national security check (18/04/2021, 17:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    vip killed the economy...the child done drown
  • Dangerous Initiative (18/04/2021, 17:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is more dangerous than the pandemic. God knows what kinda criminals going come here and commit crimes, set up illegal business...every one is vulnerable, who can come and live for a month without an income? Andrew losing it big time.
  • vip killed the country (18/04/2021, 17:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    These are not tourists....they are coming to work
  • gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (18/04/2021, 19:36) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why is Suriname, Guyana and Peru on the list? Those counties are way more developed than the BVI.
    • Suriname? (18/04/2021, 23:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I'm surprised to see Guyana and Peru, Guyanese don't usually stay unless they marry... and they are good guests too. Peru is not going to come here.
  • Something's Fishy (18/04/2021, 20:45) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Want more tourists? Drop the day four test and fees for vaccinated tourists. But everyone knows that.

    There's something else behind this latest initiative. Fishy.
  • musa (19/04/2021, 17:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad news visitors not coming because of the covid19 tests and 4 days quarantine .


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