Homeowners granted up to 10 months stay in VI without work permit
He said the amended clause would change section 23.12.B of the Principal Act to provide for the period in which the Immigration Officer may grant to any person leave, to remain in the territory and when such person does not produce a permit for a period not exceeding six months to a period not exceeding 10 months.
“Mr Speaker, I am particularly happy to see this included as it has taken me two years to achieve this. A simple clause took two years to get to this house. I remember when I first brought it, it went through three Permanent Secretaries to get here to this house, a simple clause, to tell a homeowner who has the means to live here to help bolster our economy. These persons are here to do one thing and one thing only to enjoy our environment and to put some money into our economy,” Hon. Wheatley expressed during the 11th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly on Thursday, August 26, 2021.
Homeowners desiring to stay longer in territory- Hon Wheatley
He said the main reason for this amendment was because “I had realised that there were persons in the territory who own homes, they never rent these homes, but they can only stay in the territory for six months maximum per year. That meant for six months of the year, the homes stayed here empty.”
Honourable Wheatley said he conducted a survey among that category of persons, and they said to him that if they were allowed to stay for a longer period of time in the territory, they would.
“It is even more important now in the times of COVID when they want to escape other countries because the BVI is relatively safe and hopefully we will be COVID-19 free soon, they would rather spend that time in the BVI and when they are here, what do they do? They don’t work, they support maids, they support restaurants, they support grocery stores, they support car rentals, they go fishing. These persons support the economy so why, Mr Speaker, would we keep them away?” he asked rhetorically.
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29 Responses to “Homeowners granted up to 10 months stay in VI without work permit”
In reality all the people in that situation , who want to be here for 12 months , simply write to the Chief Immigration officer and ask to do that and are always granted permission to stay all year.
So in reality this bill will make no difference at all to anything.
I AM WITH YOU ON THIS ONE! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? ONLY IN THE BVI MEHSON
Ok keep home owner and get rid of us and see what happen how much we spend . So it because we dont have a house allow us to buy one and u see the different we will spend more we dont want to be equal but at least dont make it look like we want the money only create avenue for us to spend hay we love hay and would loveto grow hay even raise a family hay but u not giving us no reason to but grab all the money and leave and those who want to stay marry ur woman and man do a reasearh and see how much local own a home before the get marry to a expat we think foward and make big move 95% of us have a house or two in our country were not poor is just that we fell in love with the bvi
A good plan being executed in the wrong time is not much better than a bad plan exected any time.
I recognize your desperation. The next political general election is fast approaching, but that the cabinet should loose focus, and continue striping on its own feet.
Check yourselve. I am advising you, free of charge, not to to cause diseaseness on and in the minds of the voters, expecially poor ones. Their eyes, like a Lazer, is pointing spot on you, so much more so AQ at this time.
That was the deal when you built or bought ..wh e n u h add vemulyople homes it is expected
HIMSELF ON OTHER CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS , SOME EMPLOYERS IS NOT PAYING THEIR ( SS OR NHI ) NO PROBLEM BUT EMPLOYEES WE GOING TO FLEX OUR MUSCLES ON THEM DOWN ISLAND NIGGARSB AND THEY WILL HAVE TO LICK HIS BOTTOM , BECAUSE HE GOT A LITTLE POWER NOW
Home owners who ?
Well Sah Hon. Wheatley.
Gid is watching, and he is not pleased
it is amazing how some come here and for the sake of a few pennies the system seeks to look the other way while others have to comply to the letter of the laws of the territory