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Naturalization sharply declines over 5 years – Civil Reg. & Passport Off.

-also reports slight drop in passports issued
There has been a sharp decrease over five years with regards to the naturalization of persons according to the 2013 annual report of the Civil Registry and Passport Office. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – There has been a sharp decrease over five years with regards to the naturalization of persons according to the 2013 annual report of the Civil Registry and Passport Office.

Laid on the Table of the House of Assembly on September 11, 2014 during the commencement of the Ninth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly, the report said that in 2009 there were 127 persons naturalized in the Territory. However, by 2013 that number had plummeted to 27.

According to the report, in 2010 the figure was 64, in 2011 it was 53 and in 2012 it had dropped to 43.

The report stated that naturalization is the primary means by which adults may acquire British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC) under sections 18 (1) and 18 (2) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Further, the report said that in 2013, 1,770 passports were issued. “This is a 13 percent decrease when compared with 2,038 passports issued in 2012,” the report said.

It stated that for 2009, 2,079 passports were issued; for 2010 1,989 and for 2011 2,003. “In 2013, the Department issued 264 emergency travel documents,” the report said.

11 Responses to “Naturalization sharply declines over 5 years – Civil Reg. & Passport Off.”

  • dem smart (18/09/2014, 16:03) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    But they increase be longer so hoping that the island people will vote ndp
  • Liat 521 (18/09/2014, 16:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Times are hard under the ndp so the island ppl dem moving back home talk dat
  • Oh Well (18/09/2014, 16:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    isn't that what the ppl of this country been crying out for? let the INDIGENOUS population be allowed to roam free in their own place..this is great news for them. let the so called 'island man' go home and take their free loading 'born here but cant get a passport from here because they have no rights' children with them!

    smh why is this news again?
  • ........... (18/09/2014, 18:43) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Under ndp you will get what you ask for
  • Guest (18/09/2014, 18:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    i think one has to also look into the number of persons applying for naturalization so that we will know if a). people have less interest in being naturalized or B). there is a procedural delay in naturalizing people.
  • Tralala (18/09/2014, 20:48) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply
    Music to my eyes reading this and to my ers hearing it ...hope the trend continues.
    • TOL (19/09/2014, 09:12) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      Just to remind you that these numbers mean that your own people whom children are born in the US are having less interest in coming back to the BVI.

      Do you still enjoy this music???
  • wize up (19/09/2014, 05:37) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    this is just VIP looking to score point; the people them happy living here
  • yes we can (19/09/2014, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    ndp playing samrt
  • Observer (19/09/2014, 17:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just another indicator that the xenophobic and blatantly racist policies of the NDP are bearing fruit.


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