BVI to launch online embarkation and disembarkation cards
The Department of Immigration has announced the upcoming introduction of online embarkation and disembarkation cards, set to take effect in January 2025.
This new digital system aims to streamline processing at ports of entry by eliminating the need for paper forms.
Travellers to the Virgin Islands will have the opportunity to participate in a pilot phase of this initiative, beginning in October 2024.
This effort is a collaboration between the Immigration Department and His Majesty’s Customs.
The announcement follows the recent commencement of direct American Airlines flights from the United States, highlighting the territory’s commitment to enhancing travel efficiency and improving the visitor experience.
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You cannot, with any intellectual honesty, market yourself as a premier destination while simultaneously failing to embrace the technological advances that define modern convenience. Among those advances is the streamlining of customs and embarkation/disembarkation processes. There is certainly no ‘old-world charm’ in filling out paperwork identical to what we did three decades ago. One would reasonably expect, given the relatively modest scale of operations compared to larger nations managing millions of passengers, that it would be simpler to remain at the forefront of such technological progress. And yet, here we are, lagging behind where we ought to lead.
I hope that the officers on arrival are prepared to use the new system. The last time that something automated was tried at EIS, the Immigration Officer looked at his screen in bemusement and then insisted that a paper form be filled out.
As we know from the previous Labour department online fiasco, any system is dependent upon the IT people creating it and the people who have to use it on a daily basis.
Call me cynical, but my hopes are not high. Come on, BVI – positively surprise me this time!
Yes, this is really going to work…
Just eliminate the forms completely.
This government is a joke! We were already doing this 4 years ago during Covid! Everything was online and electronic! Don’t come announcing this now like it is new or progressive! We took several steps backward since then and went back to doing a bunch of crap! We are at least 10 years too late with making this process electronic. Go into other competing destinations and there is nothing to fill out at all! Not online and not on paper. Even then waste is time kiosks they bought are just there taking up space and does not speed up the process. Boats already register online with Sail Clear and it still takes them forever to clear in and out! We are just so far behind the time it isn’t even funny anymore.
Except the Covid computer system didn’t work! There was no category for non-resident homeowners (who have a right to stay for six months) and the out islands weren’t listed. Bet they make the same mistake again.
I’m missing information here..soo..how will one obtain these cards, again?
I mean, if I’m traveling, and I live in South Dakota, a “card” will be mailed to me…I’m not getting the jest of this!
MORE Informational assessment, is needed on this matter!
The government really needs to double check the naming of these things. Everyone enjoy you erectile dysfunction cards to enter. Smh
WE STILL TRYING TO “DUCT TAPE” ACSESS AND PAY SYSTEM AT THE AIRPORT. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE HERE IS MAINTENACE AND UPKEEP CURRENT SYSTEMS.
BVI has a way of unnecessarily complicating things..This is a good initiative, hope it works as intended and don’t make things worse…
The airport parking meter thingy not working again! This the only place you pay to pick up and drop off people.
They need to change that first.
It is ridiculous you have to go back in to the airport to look for someone to pay.
They cannot even maintain the car park barrier working… let’s pray I am wrong!
Now can we open the gate and get rid of the stupid $1 to drop somebody off and maybe fix some potholes?
We fly tomorrow, and tried the system, cannot save the PDF as it is damaged, and NO email. has been a few hours……Paper it is!