Deputy Governor’s office probes ESTA issues for BVI travellers
The Office of the Deputy Governor has confirmed that it is working with the BVI London Office and the U.S. Embassy to address an ongoing issue that some Virgin Islands travellers have experienced while using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter the United States.
The Deputy Governor’s Office recently issued a request for BVI travellers to report any difficulties they encountered when using ESTA. While the office did not confirm the specifics of the issue, it clarified that gathering individual experiences is key to identifying the problem.
“We are actively working with the BVI London Office and the U.S. Embassy in London to identify the reason for the issue and bring it to a resolve as soon as possible,” the office stated. “Our current request to the community for information on their individual experiences will allow us, in partnership with the BVI London Office, to assess these on a case-by-case basis.”
The deadline for reporting issues was set for November 13, but no further updates have been provided as of yet.
This latest statement does not clarify whether the problem is related to a similar incident in August 2023, when BVI residents reported difficulties entering the United States. During that time, travellers were advised by the Deputy Governor’s Office to use the same passport when departing and re-entering the territory to avoid being inaccurately recorded.
In a statement at the time, the government explained that some travellers who entered the U.S. with their UK passport and returned to the BVI using a different passport, such as a Virgin Islands passport, were mistakenly flagged for overstaying in the US.
The Office of the Deputy Governor had previously confirmed that some ESTA visa waiver applications were denied due to an issue where re-entry to the BVI was not properly logged, creating the false impression that some travellers had not left the U.S.
The government issued a reminder that U.S. entry and exit are logged using a passport number, urging travellers who use a UK passport and valid ESTA to return to the BVI with the same UK passport to ensure their travel records are accurately updated.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
They can’t do a ting more than take people information and give them falso hope
Maybe the BVI can also urge their ‘citizens’ to report their US taxes?
Some ayo just blog because you got a phone. Only a U.S citizen need to declare u.s. taxes. Think about it, why would a citizen of a country need a visa or visa waiver to enter. just like to run your mouth
…IRS/CBP systems linked and will be activated under DJT.
Same passport in, same passport out.
do you want to develop your own passport then?
Don’t tell me what passport to use. My UK passport easy for going out, and BVI easy for coming in XD
Based on my personal observation, it appears that the problem is related to departures from the USVI to the BVI via ferry. At least in my case, none of my departures from the USVI via ferry were recorded in the US Immigration System. You can check your entry/exit status at I-94 Official Website It appears that because I had a visa waiver before, the system links the passports, so regardless of which passport (BVI or UK) I use to search, I get the same results. Since none of my exits are recorded, the system shows me as illegally remaining in the country, although I actually left. I even got an email from Customs and Border Protection advising me of this. I suspect this could be part of the problem why persons are being denied a visa waiver because if their exit was not appropriately recorded, the system will show them as illegally remaining in the US.
That is a really helpful post. It makes sense. Thank you
Government going online for a lot of things
Example:
say to pay property taxes on line yet still have to come to the department,
Does that make sense
Elderly and those with no internet how can they pay online . There has to be a transition period
Besides people cannot buy food how can they afford internet and laptop
This government does not cater for poor people .
@King..keen observation. The US does not, does not have an exit check when persons are returning to the BVI. Simply put, this is on them in their failure to do this.
An immigration office plain out told me that I must present my BVI Passport when returning, not the UK one.
The problem is in the USVI you have to leave there with the passport you entered with. Just as King says, the ferry-service is not reporting your leaving. I have entered the USVI with the same passport I departed on the ferry and constantly receiving letters from US-Immigration that I am overstaying. That needs to be fixed, because where we live for most trips we need to connect through the US when traveling.
Bvi Passport
Uk passport
US passport
Bvislander card
I realize that there are individuals with all of the above,maybe more,,