The Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2024, which was assented to by Governor Daniel Pruce on Friday, November 1, 2024, introduces important amendments to the Territory's immigration laws.However, there are no new provisions or pathways for granting residence status to children born in the Virgin Islands to non-Belonger parents. This has been a contentious issue for many residents, for some time. It is important to note that the amended law will come into force on a date appoint...

The Territory welcomed the inaugural call of the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma to Virgin Gorda today, Tuesday 19th November. The luxury cruise vessel is the newest luxury vessel to join the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection and is slated to spend the day in Virgin Gorda.The Ilma is currently on a six-night round trip cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico with 273 passengers and 382 crew members onboard. After the vessel departs the Territory, she returns to Puerto Rico t...

Cabinet, in accordance with section 37 (4) of the Immigration and Passport Act (Revised Edition 2013) has approved the exemption of Guyanese nationals from the list of countries requiring a visa to enter the Territory.Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, during a Press Conference on 30th September said, “This step strengthens the bond between our countries and the region, facilitating greater ease in travel, trade, tourism and investment. It underscores our ...

Mr. Kyron McMaster is the Territory’s newest recipient of an OBE from His Majesty The King for his contributions to sport in the British Virgin Islands.Kyron McMaster, at 21 years old, won the British Virgin Islands’ first ever Commonwealth Games medal after placing 1st in the 400m hurdles at the Gold Coast 2018 Games in Australia. This was in the aftermath of the 2017 devastating hurricane, which destroyed homes, livelihoods and all training facilities. The hurricane also sadly clai...

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is issuing a strong warning to persons who intend to engage in any form of violence or intend to use any form of illegal drugs while on the Festival Grounds – “Actions will be swift and decisive.”On the first paid night of the Irene Penn-O’Neal Festiville, Superintendent of Operations Dariel Robinson says officers intervened and parted 16 fights, confiscated both marijuana and cocaine and a knife during Wednesday night’s ev...

The dump site on Virgin Gorda has been ablaze for the past hours, and continues to rage on. Outside of a brief statement via WhatsApp from the Minister to indicate that the dump site is temporarily closed, there has been no official word from Government on what is now a frightening situation for residents and visitors on the 8 square mile island. “Good morning all, please note that the dump site will be TEMPORARILY closed effective immediately, until further notice, pending an assessm...

Saturday, July 22 – The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force continues its inquiries into the significant cocaine seizure, as well as the firearm, boat and ammunition detained during the operation on Wednesday evening (19 July) despite efforts by criminal elements to disrupt investigations.In the early hours of this morning Saturday 22 July, one seized vessel, suspected to be involved in ramming of the police vessel at sea on Wednesday 19 July, was set ablaze in a calculated effort ...

Beef Island, Virgin Islands - Industrial action taken by fire service officers attached to the T.B. Lettsome International Airport forced closure of the airport for most of the afternoon yesterday, 17 July 2023. Inbound and outbound flights were brought to an immediate halt. American Airlines’ incoming flight had to be diverted to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as Silver Airlines. An Inter Caribbean flight that was loaded and ready to take off, was made to offload and a private flight...

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (July 13, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the premier tourism development agency for 25 Caribbean countries and territories, has appointed Dona Regis-Prosper the new Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer. Beginning her assignment on September 1, 2023, Regis-Prosper, who hails from St. Lucia, is set to make history as the first woman to assume leadership of the intergovernmental body.With an impressive career that spans more than 22 years, Regi...