Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

No local job access for VI's ‘Work-in-Paradise’ visitors - Premier Fahie

- announces details of remote working programme
Called the ‘Work-in-Paradise’ programme, persons will be able to come to the territory and work at their remote-jobs, however, those jobs cannot be from the Virgin Islands, Hon Fahie said in a statement released on Friday, April 16, 2021. Photo: Internet Source
First announced in November 2020 as a means to capitalize on COVID-19 opportunities, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced more details about an upcoming programme aimed at attracting remote workers to the VI. Photo: HoA/YouTube
First announced in November 2020 as a means to capitalize on COVID-19 opportunities, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced more details about an upcoming programme aimed at attracting remote workers to the VI. Photo: HoA/YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – First announced in November 2020 as a means to capitalise on economic opportunities in this COVID-19 era, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced more details about an upcoming programme aimed at attracting remote workers to the Virgin Islands (VI).

Called the ‘Work-in-Paradise’ programme, persons will be able to come to the territory and work at their remote jobs; however, those jobs cannot be from the Virgin Islands, Hon Fahie said in a statement released on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Visitors will spend foreign earnings in VI

“They can come to the BVI and stay for an extended period. During this time, they will not be able to work for any local company or business. But they can perform their foreign-based job,” the Premier said.

He said persons will be able to access hotels, villas, apartments, car rentals, taxi, and tour operators, restaurants and other local services.

“But they will be paying for it with their foreign earnings, and that means we will be drawing in money from outside of the Territory, which will be going into our economy,” Hon Fahie assured.

'Invest & Stay'

Meanwhile, Hon Fahie also mentioned that another programme, called ‘Invest and Stay programme’, will also foreign investors to live in the Virgin Islands with the aims of investing substantial sums of money in approved businesses and industries as well as hiring locals.

“Please note, persons approved for this initiative will not get any special exemptions for purchasing land or property; they will not get citizenship rights and the time spent in the BVI will not count towards applying for Residency or Belongership,” he said.

While the Premier did not provide a date when either programme will launch, he said the 'Invest and Stay' will support hoteliers, villas, apartments, car rentals, taxi and tour operators, restaurants and other local services, while creating jobs and bringing their investment into the local economy.

15 Responses to “No local job access for VI's ‘Work-in-Paradise’ visitors - Premier Fahie”

  • lol (19/04/2021, 09:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, because Labour and Immigration does rigorous checks regularly around the Territory for such issues.
    • Jest (19/04/2021, 14:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lol..Jokes and mamaguy.
      The joke is on the VI and its people,sadly.
  • Accountant (19/04/2021, 10:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Welcome one and all. Invest you cash and then depart. We will manage it for you in paradise
  • Lucifer (19/04/2021, 10:11) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    Missed the boat on this one I fear. Lots of places already got this fully set up and how much demand will there be now that vaccinations are starting to help reduce the impact of COVID and need for remote working.

    • @Lucifer (19/04/2021, 15:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      And they should also address the internet speed/cost situation. The internet speed here would send any remote worker packing. Hell, I work remotely and I want to go packing. It is sometimes an excruciatingly embarrassing situation when one is on a Zoom/Teams call and the internet craps out every 10 mins. There is nothing more annoying that waking up to the hope that the frickin internet works for at least 3 consecutive hours.
  • Pure (19/04/2021, 10:35) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    assihness
  • late (19/04/2021, 12:15) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Awesome idea to put in place a year ago...
  • facts (19/04/2021, 12:55) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
    The Fahie government is much better on the economy that ndp who was in it for self
  • Rubber Duck (19/04/2021, 13:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    So investing money , creating employment and working here does not get you on the route to residence or belonger ship.? And meanwhile you will be paying for a work permit to work for yourself? And if you want a house you will only be able to live in it for 6 months a year?

    Wow, they will be queuing up ....

    To go to Antigua, or St Lucia or somewhere with a government with a clue.

  • yeah (19/04/2021, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bit late innit?
  • think about it (19/04/2021, 15:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is one thing I Learn and continue to learn is that a thief always steal from himself.
  • Hhjjmm (19/04/2021, 17:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The internet here is crap. One of the worst I've ever experienced. I never realised it was so bad until I went off to school.

    How can people work remotely if it takes 10 minutes to load one page?
  • No Rush (19/04/2021, 20:37) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Excellent idea... lets wait and launch this program in 2022 when all the offices reopen
  • Really? (19/04/2021, 22:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    A letter sent in the mail is received faster than you can get an internet connection. You do know internet is required for remote work? You can’t even have a stable connection for a zoom call. Give me a break!
  • Deh Watcha (20/04/2021, 10:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So basically, existing companies can bring in the worker(s) they always intended to hire without a work permit now.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.