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'I'm going to review' immigration fees- Premier Wheatley

-Said he heard the cries following steep fee increases
The new immigration fees that took effect on October 1, 2025, in the Virgin Islands will be reviewed. This was announced by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The fee changes stem from the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, which were enacted on June 27, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The fee changes stem from the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, which were enacted on June 27, 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The new immigration fees that took effect on October 1, 2025, in the Virgin Islands will be reviewed.

This was announced by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during a press conference on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Premier Wheatley responded to a question regarding the increase in belongers’ fees and explained that the new fees were part of the department's ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability of its operations.

"I've heard some of the cries, as it pertains to the steepness of the increases, and it's something that I'm going to review...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."

Reduction in fees possible

The fee changes stem from the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which were enacted on June 27, 2025.

Among the fee increases are 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). 

The Premier assured the public that they would be informed of any new changes resulting from the review, stating, "We'll be able to communicate that to the public. As to whether the fees are a means of preventing persons  from achieving belonger status, no, that was not the intention at all."

When asked whether there is a possibility of a reduction in fees, the Premier responded, "There is a possibility that it could be a reduction."

26 Responses to “'I'm going to review' immigration fees- Premier Wheatley”

  • Money Boyz up 1 (04/10/2025, 10:25) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Like y'all reviewed greedy bill and the pay increase lmfao
  • Guilty (04/10/2025, 10:32) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    Let your conscience be your guide !
    You know it’s too steep.
    Yes it’s a hindrance to stop people from getting what they deserved!
    You still gonna find another way to stop the people from getting their privileges!
    Nothing wrong with increasing the fees but do it in phases!
    We still voting you out !
    We know your intentions!
    You so slow !
    Suffering from ADHD !
  • minimum wage (04/10/2025, 11:01) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Introduce a meaningful minimum wage and stop trying to get blood out of stone.
  • BuzzBvi (04/10/2025, 11:22) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the P487. One of the 13 that gave themselves over 100% SECRET pay rises and at the same time as minimum wage was cut from the November 30 2024 rate of $8.50 to the 1 July rate of $7.25.

    In addition to this from November 30 2024 to July 1st 2025 no increase was made to the previous rate of $6.00.

    This represents a loss of 7 months earnings that the Government cheated from low paid workers. That is $1400 they were cheated out of between November 30th 2024 and July 1 2025 even at the pathetically new low rate of $7.25.

    The November 30 2024 increase that should have been paid between November 30 2024 and July 1st 2025 means, really, that the poor were cheated, by the greedy HOA13 120% wage rise gang, of more than that. They should have had $8.50 an hour since November 30 2024.

    This means by July 1 2025 the GREEDY HOA13 had stolen $2800 from each poor person on minimum wage but added $Millions to their own pay.

    AND IT IS REALLY WORSE THAN THAT.

    The committee recommended $9.00 per hour. In 2016 the last time there was a rise in minimum wage the rate went from $4.00 to $6.00. A rise of 50%. (NOT over 120% like the GREEDY HOA13) The committed recommended this time another meager 50% rise (NOT over 120% like the GREEDY HOA13). The HOA manage to give the poor a 21% rise and delay that rise for 7 months after the date it was to be implemented of 30th November 2024. The HOA gave themselves in SECRET during the same time a rise of OVER %120!!!!!!!!!

    Every month Minimum wage remains at $7.25 the poor are cheated of another $200.

    If you are needing or relying on something from this review good luck. These people are not working for you.

  • 500 % increase. Heartless (04/10/2025, 11:23) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    Those people doing these wicked heartless things to other people are all professed Christians. No wonder Christianity is now under attack for it fakeness because of the people fake people who professing. Anyone candidate who comes before me next election looking my vote professed to be a christian, lie because I ain't voting for no so call Christian, to add salt to wound, the church didn't do no kind of push back on this madness of an increase.. The Premier will change it. He is a good man...I am a citizen...Its just a matter of conscience and unfairness, evil if you ask me..
  • Struppes (04/10/2025, 11:31) Like (5) Dislike (30) Reply
    leave the feed just as is. These people always want hand outs. Leave the fees . Why we alway have to adjust whenever expats( islanders), cry out?!!why we alway hav to bend ?!!!
    • @Struppes (04/10/2025, 13:26) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
      God don’t like wicked. Count your days
    • Mary (04/10/2025, 14:38) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I totally agree with you. Until we get good leadership in this country all the hard work done over these many years to build this country will go to the dog. No one cares about bvi people. What a shame. Who is helping me with high cost of insurance and high banking fees. Why the Premier doesn't investigate this. His head is in the sand.
    • @Struppes (04/10/2025, 14:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Bam bye yuh wi see !
  • great (04/10/2025, 12:46) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    While you're listening to our cries, remember we need our increment before 2027....thank you
  • Trump (04/10/2025, 13:28) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why don’t you just raise them to $ 100k, per year. It’l keep out the riff raff.
    • WOW (04/10/2025, 18:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Small minded and bad mind. Before we came you all was sleeping with family member you wanna go back to those days ent.
      • @wow (05/10/2025, 14:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Same would have been happening where you came from since we all came from Africa. In fact we all came from Adam and Eve, so get over it and get to the topic at hand
      • @wow (06/10/2025, 05:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I am sure your mother n father did the same! I am happy they are reveiwing it but will fight hard to stay in a counntry most of you bring down each day!!!!!! Really hard boyyyy!! Lol! alll for a green dollar! ? Strupzz foolishness
  • Employee (04/10/2025, 13:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We the employee need a raise of pay, some of us work for big companies in bvi and they are not giving an increase in pay even though you work there for years but they paying new workers a lot more. Thank you Mr. premier some of the fees are way way too high. Some can stay but some are too high man. I didn't apply for fast tract because 1500 was too much for me now I decided apply for residency if approved I still have to pay 1500. Jesus best I had apply for fast track then. I had all the years already.
  • Pay up or...... (04/10/2025, 14:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This hike is to help with paying out that high salary.
  • 2024 (04/10/2025, 16:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    the amount of people working in this territory without the required documentation is ridiculous

    undeclared income and Government does nothing while some of us struggling to keep current with Government Taxation) it is shameful

    This is why Fahie implemented the Taxation on Money Leaving the Territory: some of that Tax money could help to run the country

    Some of the airline money going here & there could have gone to pay our people because when you sit down to hear how travel in and out of this country will help the people you fall asleep

    2027 should be a change

  • c (04/10/2025, 17:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t be bad talking the things the US does when the BVI does the greedy things they do.
  • Concerned (04/10/2025, 20:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the government want to make money they need to make sure every employer is current with NHI, SSB and Tax. I've heard of many people being denied medical treatment, Pensions because employers are not paying their taxes to government. Its tax evading and people go to prison for this in the USA. Instead the government want to keep taxing the expats as we comply with paying our taxes.
  • Norris t (04/10/2025, 21:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I disagree with all those immigration fees.
  • Mr. Happy (05/10/2025, 00:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I suggest your review those exorbitant salary increases at the top too.
  • So (05/10/2025, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    .....You listening to these people who want to take over our country and stay here forever and ever. Unreal.


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