Cabinet approves new 20-year Belonger policy
Cabinet has officially approved the new Belonger Status and Permanent Residence Policy aimed at addressing critical aspects of immigration.
The policy recommends that persons must reside in the territory for 20 years before becoming eligible to apply for Belonger status and mirrors a previous controversial National Democratic Party (NDP) government policy introduced decades ago that was found to be unlawful during the Commission of Inquiry (COI) process.
The policy sets forth guidelines on the eligibility for Residence and Belonger Status, criteria for Cabinet’s award of status, and the establishment of quotas, among other things.
It also outlines the pathway for children to obtain Residence Status and the status of children born in the BVI to non-Belonger parents.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, emphasised the policy’s balanced approach towards economic growth, cultural integration, and social stability. Dr Wheatley stressed that it also acknowledged the contributions of immigrants to the community while protecting the interests and heritage of Virgin Islanders.
“The new Immigration Policy proposes planning and decision-making processes that will inform the sustainable management of statuses granted,” Premier Wheatley stated. “The policy was approved after a careful analysis of labour market needs, population density, the importance of fostering investment and availability of resources, which will ensure balanced growth.”
The policy is a response to longstanding issues and recommendations from the COI, aiming to extend beyond its initial scope to establish a comprehensive immigration policy framework.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, Joseph Smith Abbott, shared insights into the extensive public consultations that shaped the policy, aligning it with the Public Service Transformation Plan.
“This policy aligns with the Public Service Transformation Plan, marking a significant step forward in our journey towards sustainable development and prosperity for all in the Virgin Islands,” Smith Abbott said.
He further said this approach of incorporating public feedback into policymaking enhances administrative procedures for legal, financial, and regulatory compliance, among other areas.
The policy is now accessible on the government’s website and residents are encouraged to tune into the “Table Talk” programme today February 29 at 11am where further discussions will take place.
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The new policy” mirrors a previous controversial National Democratic Party (NDP) government policy introduced decades ago that was found to be unlawful during the Commission of Inquiry (COI) “
CONTEXT! The policy was found unlawful because at the time, it was just policy and NOT the law. The Legislation always trumps any policies and that was the issue at that time. Now that Cabinet has passed this into law, it’s LEGAL. Please stop trying to fool people with half-stories.
Cabinet does not pass laws.
SO when the 20th year comes, do we get a set of run around? or stories again? smh So much for careful analysis!
So what about the people that have been here, say, 15 years? Under this policy they would have to wait an additional 10 years once they obtain Residency (from which they have been unlawfully obstructed). That makes 25 years, at least, to Belongership. There is nothing just about this, and it likely violates international human rights conventions to which the UK is a signatory. This would mean they would be unable to assent.
Remember status in another man’s country is a PRIVILEGE not a Right!
sounding like a real dictator. Putin is that you.
Many forget it’s a privilege. They think it’s a right.
That was asked at the press conference and, not surprisingly, they haven’t thought about… smh
So are they just getting rid of the 4th generation Belongers status?
SEND THEM BACK OUT BEFORE THE TIME EXPIRE
you sound like a crass
Let me get this right. If a person is born in the BVI they have to wait for 20 years for belongership if they parents are not born there but when you all go to the USA to deliver your babies they don’t have to wait to become a USA citizen.
just wait a couple year and see how the birth rate looks like or the average age of the island. These kids are all gonna jump ship for the states the first chance they get.
The laws of the USA and those of the BVI are obviously different. I suggest you have your babies in the USA. It sounds easier.
Please make this law retroactive.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely yours
A BVIslander
P.S. I don’t care how many dislikes my comment receives.
Just read the policy. Seems like another way to get people to pay for Belonger statuses. I guess I won’t come back and won’t be investing my money into the territory.
Thats ok
it is okay. But don’t expect people invest into a territory they would have nothing to show from doing so. You think the average immigrant is wanting belonger status or maybe they just wants the American dollar so they can convert it to there home currency 1×56. I had plans to build a lot in the territory, but it won’t make sense for me to build in a territory I can’t have ownership of what I would be building or have to pay for a work permit for 20 years. I have no problem staying in the states and getting paid way more then if I were to come there. And have no problem not putting money into a economy who acts as though my family isn’t from there or my sister doesn’t already have her belonngers, but I guess I’m not qualified.
There should be a way for people that have been here for 20 years but could not get residency until the 20th yr.to get belonger ship without waiting another 10 years
If a Minister of Government happens to fall in love with a beauty from Guyana and wants to return home newly married, What would be the immigration status of his new bride under the new legislation?
Whatever happened to the 10 year idea? guess the backlash from the locals not worth it if they want to win election again huh.
Policy. Laws. Constitution..All can’t be right. One must be the correct way.. This is the usual oppressive way. The same thing the COI try to correct. They doubling down..
New policy states:
“To become eligible to apply for Belonger
Status by tenure, an applicant must be ordinarily resident in the Territory for at least 20 years while
holding a Certificate of Residence Status for a minimum of ten years”
It seems unfair that residents now having 19 or 20 years of ordinary residence will be required an additional 10 years to become belongers. That means they will not have full citizenship rights until they reach 29 or 30 years in the territory. While people who has been here for less than 10 years will, in theory, be able to apply with only 20 years.
Dear All….a policy is not the law.The Immigration act that is the force law for the 10 years at least for persons to be residing in the Territory in order to be eligible does not say that such grant of residence has to be renewed every 5 years. There is no immigration Regulation that guides such Act.Therefore that policy has no legal effect and all should be guided.
Who here longer (close to 20 or older
Wait another 10 years
Who here 10 years get it in another 10 ?
It’s another way of telling people you don’t belong. Looking forward to it, it’s a waste of time.
The British should immediately stop the ability of BVIslanders to get British passports, and stop their ability to get any benefits from the British tax-payer if the BVI refuses to accept reciprocity.
Better still, the British should just let the BVI go and be done with the unnecessary headaches of a troublesome unimportant minnow. Let the (B)VI see how they can fully manage their own affairs without external support. Recent history suggests that the BVI cannot. The international financial services sector, that pumps in 60+% of the BVI Government’s money, already has plans to vacate the territory. Government, in contrast, has no plans for how to survive if their main income-generator disappears.
Many of the comments above display a xenophobia that would be illegal in many countries. It’s time to have the chickens come home to roost and have the BVI clean up their own mess.