House moves amendment to fix 30-Year Belongership wait
The House of Assembly has moved a bill to correct legislative oversights that effectively extended the waiting period for Belongership in the Virgin Islands to 30 years.
The Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Bill 2025 reduces the required period of ordinary residency back to 10 years, fixing an issue caused by amendments passed in 2024.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said the move was part of a broader immigration reform agenda. “The amendment to section 16 is proposed because the Immigration and Passport Amendment Act 2024 had the unintended consequence of lengthening the period of being ordinarily resident in the territory for Belonger status for an effective 30 years,” he explained.
The 2024 changes had created a two-tier requirement—ten years to qualify for residency and an additional 20 years for Belongership under section 16. The new bill reverts the latter to 10 years.
“This bill builds on the progress we have made in 2024 and addresses several key areas that require attention,” Dr Wheatley stated. He said the government was working toward “a system that is fair, transparent, and responsive to the needs of all members of our territory.”
In addition to the residency fix, the bill clarifies the definition of “ordinarily resident,” outlines the qualifications for the Immigration Board, and introduces benefits for immigration officers, including funeral and medical allowances.
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn described the legislation as a “clean-up bill” correcting past errors. “There’s nothing new here that warrants me to stay on my feet to speak for a very long time,” he remarked. He expressed support for the change to the residency requirement, saying, “We made an error, and we’re just trying to tidy it up, which is a good thing.”
The bill also penalises employers for facilitating immigration offences and sets conditions for persons transitioning from work permit holders to dependents. Clause 29A makes such enabling an offence, punishable by a fine of $5,000.
Dr Wheatley stressed the reforms are not just procedural but also cultural, calling for a “shared identity” among residents. “What we are saying with this immigration reform is no, you have to demonstrate a certain level of commitment,” he asserted.
The Premier said further reforms, including labour changes, are on the horizon.
“We have to look after the interests of our people,” he added.
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I guess they really do not want anyone to move to the BVI!
Well done BVI, whilst the rest of the Caribbean is getting investments into their countries, the BVI is slowly disappearing of the map of viable countries to move to!
The rest of the Caribbean is selling their country. All that infrastructure that getting sponsored and land that getting leased/bought is at the detriment of the generations to come.
you can’t eat the soil boy, need to create some business..inviting people to work & live does not mean you are selling out. Stop your xenophobia towards foreigners and embrace the world..
While you’re looking at reforming Labour laws and making changes,Please look into those indigenous employers who refuse to pay their employees deductions and have fail to implement the pension plan that was past in the last Labour code.
This has been grossly abused. Imagine reaching retirement age to find out your employer hasn’t paid anything for years and you have a mere $300 monthly pension check. Its not just the interest of one side it should be for all. A fair playing field.
Many people in the Virgin Islands have been waiting for years—some even decades—for Belongership, and it’s heartbreaking. This bill is necessary because the previous changes made the process unfair, stretching the wait to 30 years. That’s not just a legal issue, it’s a human one.
Let’s be honest: most of the people who are working hard to keep this country running are not originally from here. They contribute every day to the economy, to the culture, to the well-being of the islands. If they are constantly pushed out or denied a fair path to belong, how can we expect the BVI to thrive?
If only people born here are given power and recognition, and others are left out no matter how long they’ve lived or contributed here, it’s going to backfire. The BVI depends on everyone—not just a few. If outsiders leave because they feel unwelcome or hopeless, the country could suffer. This is not just about immigration; it’s about fairness, unity, and building a future together.
We need policies that reflect the reality of our society—not selfish ones that isolate or divide. Let’s make sure the laws are fair, and that everyone who calls this place home has a chance to truly belong.
Point taken. ..but many locals are being disrespected everyday by expats in the workplace. I often here expats say their Country good and BVI is crap..then why are you looking status for?? No one seems to talk about that. The main thing is ..let the BVI be a strong work hub-You work for a period of time.
Nothing is wrong with that…
Afterall… Every Immigration form states …that you came to work or visit.
rest in peace in jesus name Amen Amen Amen
ALLOW THEM 7 YEARS TO STAY THEN LEAVE AND REAPPLY
The BVI will choke to death in its xenophobia.