New Passport Code will result in need for Visa for USVI travel- SFC Report
One of the hallmarks of the strong ties between the Greater Virgin Islands is the agreement that started in the mid 1970s whereby residents of the Virgin Islands (British) born in the Virgin Islands (VI) with a VI Passport could visit the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) without the requirement of a visa.
New code means visa needed for USVI visit
However, this might come to an end soon according to the Registrar General of the Civil Registry and Passport Office Mrs Stephanie R. Benn. She was at the time testifying before the House of Assembly’s Standing Finance Committee (SFC) as it deliberated on the 2016 Budget Bill.
The matter was raised during the Budget Debate on March 31, 2016 by Leader of the Opposition and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA.
Hon Fraser expressed shock that the free movement between the Greater Virgin Islands that our fore-parents negotiated could be taken away overnight and called on Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith to make this matter a priority.
During the SFC deliberation, Hon Ronnie W. Skelton, a Territorial At Large Member and the Minister for Health and Social Development, stated that the Virgin Islands (VI) passport code had been changed from VGB to GBR.
Why the change?
The Registrar General (RG) Mrs Benn confirmed the change but blamed Her Majesty’s Passport Office who she told law makers had a contract with a third party for processing passports. The RG further stated that she had been trying to understand why the code changed from VGB to GBR and added that they were told that the VI is the only British Overseas Territory that was experiencing that problem.
Mrs Benn said that the passports had been ordered in bulk and that other countries had gotten their share.
It was also unearthed that with the new code change to the VI passports, according to Mrs Benn “if someone from the BVI's passport is swiped by Immigration in the USVI, it would come up in the system that that person requires ESTA [Electronic System for Travel Authorisation] because of the code.”
This is a significant development as it could wipe out the long standing agreement whereby Virgin Islands passport holders do not need a visa to travel to the USVI.
However, the RG told the Committee that her Office has been in dialogue with Her Majesty’s Passport Office and the Home Office in Washington to try and come up with a decent resolution and noted that the UK is saying that “it would cost them millions of dollars to change the code for the BVI only”.
Mrs Benn added that the UK was asking the US to come to an agreement where they continue to overwrite the code, so that persons wouldn’t have an issue where they are being asked for an ESTA.
She also made clear that even if they overwrite the code the Immigration in the USVI indicated “that it was just a temporary fix.”
A slap on VI/USVI Heritage
The Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Skelton stated that if this matter is not addressed “it takes away a privilege that the Government of the Virgin Islands had negotiated many decades ago with the US Government where BVIslanders could travel to the USVI and stay for 6 months, but instead the new passport designation is now only allowing persons to stay for 3 months.”
Hon Skelton, an indigenous Virgin Islander, asked Mrs Benn, if she understood what this change of code meant to Virgin Islanders. To this the RG stated that she understood.
As of publication time it is unclear if the matter has been addressed.
71 Responses to “New Passport Code will result in need for Visa for USVI travel- SFC Report”
USVI is not a foreign country as we know it. It has a different government. This is ridiculous. Does the financial sector blunders have anything to do with this? why do you need a visa when you have a passport?
For explaining this to the ones that want to make this difficult to understand.
We had a right to turn back the reporter. We don't care how much he spent.
Did they care how much of us perished in route to these islands in Chains?
His thousand dollars is nothing to the blood and lives of our people lost
It goes back to that, my friends. Unless we are willing to right that wrong, we will always have problems.
They treated us a way; and we have to give them their just pay.
We are still good to them and let them come here and stay, but when they come they are out of order and want to rule our pants off our bottom and bring their filty discriminatory principles with them.
Don't raise up the ants nest this morning. We want things our way -- Virgin Islands way, what is right for our people.
Tolians to ask you to shop for us, you dare?
A people filled with pride, ambition and determination
We will find an answer, a proper solution
Never underestimate the Virgin Islander
We will fight to the end, never surrender.
The waters appear muddied at this time
But we will win and continue to bask in our sunshine
Mighty Virgin Islander
No one our good name must slander!
Go get the Visitors visa and relax