New requirements for student vacation visa waiver programme
The Immigration Department has introduced simplified visa waiver rules for children visiting parents residing in the territory during the summer and Christmas holidays.
The move aims to ease travel for families and boost tourism during peak seasons.
Acting Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge emphasised the department’s commitment to efficient immigration services: “We are outlining the necessary procedures for parents wishing to utilise this programme for their children’s legitimate travel.”
Children must be under 17 and enrolled in primary or secondary school in their home country in order to qualify. Parents need to submit a request two weeks before the intended arrival, including a travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and a school verification letter, among other documents.
The initiative addresses previous challenges faced by families during peak travel periods. Delays and confusion often arose due to unclear guidelines and cumbersome processes. The revamped programme aims to provide a smoother and more predictable experience for both residents and visitors.
Meanwhile, Demming-Hodge expressed optimism about the changes: “The revamp of the Student Vacation Visa Waiver Programme will further streamline the entry processes for parents… As the department continues to transform its processes to increase customer satisfaction, we also continue to enhance our ability to mitigate the very significant risk of irregular migration that may be facilitated by legal travel into the territory.”
The Immigration Department encourages parents to submit applications promptly, allowing ample time for processing and ensuring a seamless travel experience for their children. The updated programme underscores the department’s dedication to facilitating family reunification and fostering tourism in the Virgin Islands.
For further information, contact the Department of Immigration at 468-4705 or [email protected].
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Ayo please make sure they go back out after
@ Immigration That is exactly why the new policy is imposed. Some or most bring their children here under the pretense of summer vacation and then by September they are done enrolled in school. Who vex, let them vex. Only in the Virgin Islands some immigrants feel that they have the Rights to do as they please. They on work permit status, but demanding entitlement over Locals and Belongers.
the only issue I have with this is the timing. Timing is key. This notice was barely sent out two weeks ago when sending it since April or early May would have been ideal.
It was reported to me that some Sworn police officers have to exit the bvi in order to have their stay regularize, it is very embarrassing and uncalled for, you mean to tell me that the head of immigration and the head of the rvipf cannot deal with this matter diplomatically, come on, now they blaming that arrogant young lady who is incharge of immigration, but if I am a sworn police officer I would refuse to leave flat out, let they come for me and then you would see problems, these are too much of simple issues that can be iron out by both departments just engaging with each other and coming to a mutual understanding like how it was done before. Read the law, there are powers and privilege’s conferred on a sworn officer. GOVERNOR TAKE NOTE OF THIS VEXING ISSUE.