Some persons received pre-election residency without applying?
Just days before the February 2019 General Elections, the former NDP administration reportedly granted residency status to 71 persons, including some who had not formally applied for this status.
This is according to Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley who was speaking in the House of Assembly last Wednesday, March 10.
He said these persons whose status was “regularised through a fast-tracked programme” at the end of the NDP’s term in office were those who had made significant financial investments in the BVI.
“Only two categories were successful in making the list [of fast-tracked individuals] — those who had made substantial domestic investments, and those who had a substantial business presence mainly in the financial services industry. Seventy-one persons at that time were awarded residency status with a range of four years to 25 years,” said Wheatley.
He added: “It’s important to note that the records reveal that there are no applications on file for some persons who received this status.”
It is unclear why or how these persons were reportedly granted residency without any formal applications being present.
But Wheatley said after his government won the 2019 elections, it took steps to make the fast-track system more equitable by considering persons who had been residing in the BVI for many years and were waiting to be regularised.
The issue of status continues to be a hot topic in the BVI as many continue to complain that the process isn’t transparent and often favours those who are rich over those who have made significant financial investments in the territory.
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Please investigate this matter, some people go the legit route with no success!
Why that man ain’t go sit down
So tired and fed up with this da… crew.
But folks here for the time they supposed to be, worked, went to school, pay taxes out the A-hole, make formal applications after their time spent and still get beat around the bush! ya love to see it #BVILove
He is there 2 years and now he comes with this. YOU AND YOUR GOVERNMENT ARE F**KING FAILURES. YOU NEED TO GO!!!!!!!
So what kind of tricks yall putting out there, it is totally unfairly for those who been here for 20+ years. And why do I vestments/financial statements got to do with gaining residency in the BVI. To me those political party members only care for those who they’re closed to, they’re persons who been here for so long living off of pay check after pay check and you guys want to know about their finance like really that should be private. Not everyone has over 30 thousands dollars living here in the BVI and have their own personal land and apartments renting out. I think its up to you guys to seek for those whose been here over 25 years to call them to apply for their residency.
Long ago ppl used to get passport too without going through the right channel.
What kind of lame Political stunt is this?
Revoke them alot of nasty inside job those ndp crooks did
If status is obtained by fraud or misrepresentation it should be revoked forthwith, end story.
END. OF. STORY!
Exactly
I wonder if these unnamed entities have something to do with Chinese investment. They are slowly taking over this region and our elected officials are silently selling out, all the while ensuring the public ire is directed at the UK; the one entity on our side.