Skelton-Cline calls for committee on population growth, Belonger status
One hundred and thirteen residents were recently granted Belonger status, and a ceremony to mark this significant milestone was held at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in Paraquita Bay on January 29, 2026.
During Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Skelton-Cline said, “We continue to see an increase in population growth. I saw some [113] persons receiving Belonger status in the country.”
Wednesday’s show was titled ‘Can I say something and still be loved?'
Becoming a Belonger
Currently, anyone seeking to obtain Belonger status in the VI should have twenty years of consecutive, legal, and ordinary residence there.
According to the government’s website, the process follows these five steps:
- An applicant submits an application form(s) and all required documents to the Immigration Department.
- The form is verified for completeness and accuracy, after which the applicant is given a checklist that verifies all documents received and those outstanding, if any.
- The applicant is contacted for an interview and to sit a Cultural Test, where applicable.
- An applicant is informed of the decision taken through written communication by a member of the Immigration Department's Status Unit. If the application has been approved, the applicant is required to present himself/herself to the Immigration Department’s cashier to pay a fee.
- Once payment is received, the applicant's Belonger Certificate and Belonger Card is prepared for issuance.
New immigration fees took effect on October 1, 2025, following the enactment of the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Regulations 2025 on June 27, 2025. The new fee structure for Residence and Belonger Status includes:
- Processing Fee: $250
- Grant Fee: $2,500
- Certificate of Residence Grant Fee: $1,500
Proper management committee
Skelton-Cline said of the new Belongers, “I’m sure they’re well-deserving”.
He, however, said proper management of the growing population is needed.
“Committees should be in place to manage population growth, determine the way in which these statuses are being issued, that is yet to be in place.”
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24 Responses to “Skelton-Cline calls for committee on population growth, Belonger status”
Just this morning I heard a man talking about St Kitts- his Country of birth selling too many St. KItts passports!.
Come work and go back home.
1. There is no rational policy in place that takes account of the need to build a middle class that would act as a cushion between the more and less well do do persons. A society that does not have this buffer in place is destined to experience friction down the road when there are financial restrictions.
2. You cannot rationally expect people to come, work and contribute to the society without laying out a fair and equitable framework for citizenship. Twenty years is a ridiculous standard which has the consequence of only leaving the dregs of society to remain for that length of time because they have no better options. By then, the very people you would want to have and who can make a meaningful contribution have gone because that is too long for people of value to not consider other options for their future.
3. It is much better to have people of the same background, historical context and culture as persons for job placement and a path for citizenship. You should not be looking to the other side of the planet just because it is cheaper labor. The people who come from those far places do not mix in the society, contribute little, walk with their extended families, look down on the locals as inferiors, can't seem to speak the language properly, don't know a thing when asked for a product or service, and the list goes on. Everyone knows about the Fillipinos in the groceries, hardwares and other shops. The BVI is making a terrible mistake here by allowing this to happen.
4. There is a need for immigration to stop harassing people, do their jobs in a timely manner and stop delaying the processes.
5. There are people here who weathered and suffered through Irma to rebuild the country while others left and returned long after. These same people should be thanked and supported, not rejected because of over ridiculous 20 year policies that are pulled out of the air and notwithstanding the silly comments people and politicians make.