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Prev    Next Visas must remain current to enter the British Virgin Islands Published on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 Email To Friend    Print Version ROAD TOWN, BVI: Nationals of the 90 countries including five from the Caribbean who must have a visa to enter the British Virgin Islands, and who are already residing in the Territory, are being reminded that their visas should be current at all times. “The law requires visa nationals to have valid visas at all times, not just when entering the BVI for the first time,” Registrar-General Victoreen Romney-Varlack said. “It is the responsibility of each visa national to ensure that their visas are current, especially when planning to travel or when renewing immigration entry permits. Since persons often have to travel at short notice, it is good practise to have passports and visas current at all times,” she added. Romney-Varlack noted that there have been cases in the past where visas have expired, but individuals have not been required to obtain a renewal. “All the relevant authorities are now working together to ensure that the law regarding visas is enforced,” the Registrar-General said. Romney Varlack said the reminder comes as the Passport Office is upgrading its systems related to visa management. She noted that already this year, the department has introduced a new visa application form, set up a multi-agency working group to examine visa applications and prepared new information materials for the public. Acting Chief Immigration Officer Malvern Brathwaite, who is a member of the visa working group, said that the Immigration Department is working with the Passport Office to ensure that the visa requirements are adhered to. 'A visa regime is one of the border management tools that Government puts in place to better control entry into the BVI,” he said. Romney-Varlack noted that visas may be issued for any appropriate period of time. In the case of long-term residents of the Territory, visas are often issued for periods of several years, sometimes up to five or ten years, she said. The five Caribbean countries whose residents must have a visa to enter the BVI are Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Guyana.   Reads : 2372   Prev    Next

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