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Work Permit Exemption Policy being revised

- Submission of applications for Work Permit Exemptions on hold
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration has announced that it is not currently accepting applications for Work Permit Exemption until further notice. Photo: VINO/File
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to subject Minister, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) for an explanation as to why the programme has been suddenly halted, however, no response was received up to publication time. Photo: VINO/File
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to subject Minister, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) for an explanation as to why the programme has been suddenly halted, however, no response was received up to publication time. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration has announced that it is not currently accepting applications for Work Permit Exemption until further notice.

The announcement came in a bulletin today, March 22, 2021, via Government Information Service (GIS).

According to the announcement, “The public is notified that the submission of applications for work permit exemption is currently on hold. Applicants are therefore asked to refrain from submitting their applications until further notice.”

The bulletin noted that with the pause of the programme, the ministry will use the opportunity to revise the work permit exemption policy.

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to the subject Minister, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), for an explanation as to why the programme has been suddenly halted; however, no response was received up to publication time.  

The release; however, said, “Further information will be provided to the public once the process for the submission of applications resumes.”

The Ministry said it regrets any inconvenience the decision may have caused.

24 Responses to “Work Permit Exemption Policy being revised”

  • Lilly (22/03/2021, 18:36) Like (7) Dislike (31) Reply
    I agree. People getting married just for this purpose.
    • Yes (22/03/2021, 21:25) Like (6) Dislike (18) Reply
      yes people get married and live together for 3 years just to get this...
  • Just asking (22/03/2021, 18:38) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    here we go again mister wonderful
  • 5 (22/03/2021, 19:03) Like (20) Dislike (32) Reply
    immigration reform is a must. labor reform is a must. people holding permits yet doing 3/4 extra jobs earning tax free money. some come bvi for 2 weeks and 2 years past. this place fill with so many unemployed work permit people and we all know that the devil will find work for idle hands: some residing here have such negative chat about this territory yet wont buy tickets and eave the amercia money got them
    • @5 (22/03/2021, 20:36) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
      Your comment clearly states that the person(s) you are talking about can work and does not refused to work anywhere. We need more like them don't you think.
      • @5 (23/03/2021, 00:23) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
        is there not rules and regulations on the books in the country no wonder crime is rampant will you want people entering your island and not comply with laws of your island. the once law abiding country is full of ghetto vibes we now have them running around bvi with guns and push dope continue such conduct where you come from
    • Milton Warren (23/03/2021, 14:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @5... They are not going to reform jack Jack shiggidy.
  • RedStorm (22/03/2021, 19:20) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply

    why? are you now moving the gold post ? you can hardly get the tax certificates, that is what needs desperately to work on, as there is no way you can pay for a S.S , NHI and Tax certificates and now in March you cannot get it. There need to be a streamline in certain areas.
  • watch (22/03/2021, 20:00) Like (53) Dislike (0) Reply
    But the strippers can make a thousand or two a week with house cleaner permit and also go back and forth to USVI but no one says anything. Guess the politicians and drug dealers get what they want .... face the facts for once
  • Hmmmm (22/03/2021, 21:31) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    you can bet that it will have lot more of this same stuff coming, all is see this government is doing is trying to find money in ever sector, just sit back and see what next, just remember the lord don't sleep
  • Dancing in the sunshine (23/03/2021, 04:25) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    The process of obtaining a work permit exemption should not be so difficult. If a person has been in the territory for twenty years and contributes to the territory with his or her employment in exchange for a wage or salary, I personally feels that as a form of gratitude the work permit exemption is quite appropriate. However, for those persons who are abusing the system for ill gotten gain should be examined.

    When certain skills are not available in the territory, there is nothing wrong with importing the required skill. At the same time efforts should be made to encourage the Department of Education to conduct a vigorous effort from the primary to the college level, to encourage students to pursue an education so that they can be absorbed into the work force easily. They should not pursue an education that will employ them in a dream land.
    • say no more (23/03/2021, 06:44) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's The important of the governor commission of inquiry into couruption and good governance,. These same government members who are complaining about foul and unfairness,. Are doing the same thing to people, this is oppression by power,,,,No compassion,,it would have been more compassionate to say *As of August 1 the immigration will not accept work permit exemption and will hault the process until further notice,,,, But to say forthwith, no notice,. Wrong,,,, How can they Now say the governor is wrong,,, they are worst, not leading as an example,,
  • akon (23/03/2021, 06:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    If God was to walk around here in Tola y'all will tell him he needs a work permit.
  • Let’s see... (23/03/2021, 07:43) Like (2) Dislike (38) Reply
    Let’s see if all the white foreigners employed at the governors office on local salary contract get their residency or not...

    Yet again Taking jobs away from us. Why they hire white foreigners, most not even british, to do local jobs???

    Racist or what? Hate blacks or what?
  • LilyAnn (23/03/2021, 07:58) Like (21) Dislike (11) Reply
    Them does born their children in America to get rights in a few years, but when people marry for rights here, is a problem!!!
    • Reader (24/03/2021, 08:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Lily Ann...those are two different things. Getting your child in US is not a bad choice, however, marrying just for rights is not a good thing. Marriage should be for Love (true Love i.e.)
  • @ lily and yes (23/03/2021, 10:04) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ya’ll married to them nah?? I am a BVI lander but sorry to say some of ya’ll does go on like ppl really want be in this place?! Like really? Ya’ll reallly think ppl want to stay in little Columbia?
  • @@lily and yes (23/03/2021, 12:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wen fox cant get the berry he does tell everyone it was sour. .. lol dam foxybrown
  • Rubber Duck (23/03/2021, 12:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The glorious on going snafu that is the BVIs labour policy carries on. Unproductive, unfair, unjust.
  • ReX FeRal (23/03/2021, 14:16) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    All expats have options.
  • mah (23/03/2021, 14:49) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    @@ lily and yes, If they don't want to stay they can leave. Tell me where in the Caribbean can someone from the BVI go and carry on the way some of these people do. If you hate the BVI that much leave, we know that the one thing holding some of you here is the US dollar.
  • The late mister williams (24/03/2021, 19:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Was exempt through marriage.It popped up just on a,name search.Also that he served five in a Georgia jail....before being welcomed here.


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