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No new, temporary or periodic permits until July 31, 2020 – Hon Vincent O. Wheatley
While addressing members of the public via a Facebook live stream on Sunday, May 3, 2020, Hon Wheatley said this was one of the decisions made by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands. The Minister stated; however, that new permits will be issued for expatriates living in the Territory and are changing jobs or positions.
“As the public has been made aware, the borders of the Virgin Islands have been closed until June 2020 at which time a phased opening will be initiated to only receive BV Islanders, Belongers and persons holding Certificates of Residence for the BVI,” he said, while stating that Cabinet decided to suspend joint clearance for persons with approved work permits.
Other changes
Minister Wheatley also revealed other changes coming into play.
One other change is in relation to extending clearance for ex-pats who received their immigration clearance before the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said Cabinet agreed to extend the internal policy on issuing clearances, which means Immigration Department and the Department of Labour and Workforce Development can now issue a maximum of two re-issuances of work permit clearances for any person in possession of a valid clearance who was unable to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent airport closures and restrictions on travel.
“This would allow an intended employee to have a total of up to nine months before the work permit becomes invalid,” he revealed.
Of note, the Minister said, persons who are unemployed because of the pandemic can seek jobs. They must; however, apply to the Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr Ian B. Penn, to get a Conditional Permit under Section 31(1) (c) and 31(1A) of the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2016.
No penalties
Hon Wheatley also said there will be no penalties for expats with expired Immigration time and work permits because of the lockdown.
He added too that expats wouldn’t be required to seek an extension from the Immigration Department while their permits are being renewed.
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45 Responses to “No new, temporary or periodic permits until July 31, 2020 – Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”
Are you saying the expats are doing us a favour???? Because it is a fact the all expats are paid in exchange for their skills or labor
Hodgie !!
you sound like one of those that pays minimum wages to the expat
The territory have have over 100 different nationalities who calls here home and living here for many years
Some expats are paid 35,000.00 per month while some expats are 3.00 per hour. The fact of the matter the expats are compensated(now your forefathers and my forefathers cut that sugar cane and picked that cotton for free back in the day)...so they did Great Britain a huge favour
Hodgie wake up
eighty nine million dollars per year leaves this territory by a certain sector of the residents
Just as nationals from BVI in other countries working/making a livelihood person choose to be here making a living as well
the BVI remain one of the most peaceful places in this universe so where is this hatred
Don’t u c they does lick d whiteman’s a$$,
You and your country at the bottom round of humanity.
Leave us quick. We were good before you crawled in beggin for crumbs .
Same land same house same education same ability to travel and be welcomed every where,unlike you.
Youmust go ,please. We good. A long line waiting to take your place. You wont be missed. We blessed. You cursed.
doh mind dee bloggs, dem blogs are fake.
They were granted permission to land though designated ports of entry,and immigration allowed them to remain.
They applied for and get their work permit etc, find a place to reside in an apartments,doing their business.
Everytime a topic comes up with immigration, we are cursing each other on bloggs,and everyday we giving nice smiles on road et when we meet.
we all know who belongs and not belong to the virgin islands,and we show love to each other all the time.
But we here blogging with false and fake words of hate and dislike.that is not true, I say to my uk friends in uk.
People in the BVI, expats and belongers,living together,are the most loving people on earth right now,once again,i say.
[" They SEX-together,they marry together,they live together,and they have children together"] Listen to the surnames of a lot of MRS in high positions in bvi offices etc..Surnames from expat husbands who they are married to in love.
So how you bloggers making it sound like as though we have ethnic hatred in BVI? Its a DAAM LIE! because we all live in harmony and sexamony.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN BLOGGS.
What if that Entry Permit expires last December which some has, what is Vincent plan for persons in this situation?