Over 1500 expats regularised: ‘We chose to unite the BVI forever’- Hon Fahie
More than 1000 of the persons receiving status were from the ‘Fast Track’ Regularisation Programme spearheaded by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who was on hand to personally congratulate the successful applicants.
Hon Fahie noted that the certificate was more than just a piece of paper, “it is our Government’s statement and the people of the Virgin Islands’ statement that we recognise you as a member of our community and as a person that is now a Virgin Islander.”
The Premier added that the recognition has come from the applicants having lived “amongst us for so many years, 20 years, 40 years, 50 years, and during this time you have abide by our laws, which are really your laws, performed other obligations and expectations and you have made special contributions in different areas. For this we are grateful and encourage you to maintain your spirit of true BVI love.”
'We chose unity'
Hon Fahie noted that the idea behind the regularisation initiative was to resolve long outstanding and overdue matters in order to reform immigration and labour systems.
Responding to the critics of the programme, Hon Fahie said he respected their right to oppose but as leaders you have a choice. “You can face the problems that are there and let them become worse or make a decision- one that will not only solve the problem but united the BVI forever. We chose to unite the BVI forever.”
Hon Fahie said it is clear that there is unity in strength and the strength of a chain depends on its weakest link, but what is most important is that the Territory is much closer to moving ahead with the labour and immigration systems so that it can protect Virgin Islanders and ensure that they are treated fairly in the job market and in accordance with the law.
‘We cannot hold on to the past’
Already regarded as an ‘unconventional government doing unconventional things’, Premier Fahie said, as persons can see from the news, the Speech from the Throne, and the Budget, that “your Government headed by Andrew Alturo Fahie will touch anything that was not touched before and get it solved with God’s help.
“We cannot hold on to the past and grab the bright future that the Lord has for us, nor can we dwell on the past forever. We cannot just leave everything in limbo. You have to lead or get out of the way.”
Rumours & fear mongering disproved
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) said the persons receiving certificates were from the Fast Track Programme, as well as others whose applications were trapped in a backlog.
From the Fast Track Programme, some 648 persons received certificates of Belonger status and 542 received certificates of Residency and Belonger combined.
From the backlog applications that were not fast tracked but received approvals by the Immigration Board in July were 129 for Residency and 204 for Belonger status.
“From these numbers you can see that the rumours and fear mongering that have been spread by a small handful of persons have been disproved as untrue, baseless and raw mischief.”
With status comes responsibilities
“With these status come some responsibilities,” Hon Wheatley stated, explaining that accepting these new status should mean, that one has accepted VI values, customs and culture, and that these are to be guarded zealously, protected, celebrated and shared with great pride and enthusiasm.
“You as new ambassadors will be a reflection of all of us and we will be judged by your actions, attitudes and behaviours. We ask you to take this very seriously.”
Hon Wheatley added that Government believes it has done the right thing.
“We ask you to prove us right. We ask you to use this status not just as a springboard for your selves but also your fellow BVIslanders and the Territory as a whole.”
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68 Responses to “Over 1500 expats regularised: ‘We chose to unite the BVI forever’- Hon Fahie”
This is a small nation, how many persons can become building contractors etc. in the Virgin Islands. Not much persons are innovative enough to think of new business ideas. Most persons will fall back on what they have been employed as throughout the years and this is why many try to set up food vendor businesses throughout the Capital.
Additionally, land ownership and competing housing rental units... how will this be addressed ‘if at all’.
The Government has a lot of reforming on their hands to handle these new social and economic issues at hand.
Let’s hope this never happens again, where is the wisdom in being overly nice and humane to your neighbors to the detriment of your household? This unwise practice will cause you and your household poverty and hardship.
Now the doors must be closed Completely as the people of these lands try to handle these new economic and social issues! There is no more of this little pie to share out! Remember people, it was only a few years back that the government of the day allowed thousands within one or so year, entry into the territory for employment. Can you imagine allowing so many individuals status in a few years to come?
We have to try to bring our people or grandchildren back home now! Rotate employment and Reform, Reform, Reform!!!
I hope other countries don't treat your citizens the way you treat others. Congrats to Fahie for his forward thinking approach to a long standing problem.
This is why Tolians are welcomed wherever they go and why they have been afforded the priveleges others covet.
The BVI, with its generosity could see their priveleges affected as a result of the new citizens/new Tolians they have chosen to dominate their once respected country. Very unfortunate and shortsighted.
I Love this!!
1500. X $25.00 =$37,500. JUST FOR IMMIGRATION time
Average Work Permit $600.00 X 1500 =$900,000.00. How do we make up for this shirt fall. Just asking ?
1. There will be a rise in application for naturalization. That comes with a fee.
2. Trade licence applications are going ot hit off, because all who worked for minimum wage, victimization and knock about from the locals will put an end to it and open their own businesses. That is a fee
3. Those who got belongers and have been married to other expats for 5 years or more, their spouses are not going to apply for belongers based on marriage. Some already on their way to take them in.
4. A set of people buy land in other people name who isn't family. Time for transfer and 4% stamp duty.
Just to name a few.
So admittedly you say that Fahie used you for vote.
You were always outspoken for the people while you were on the opposition. I expect you to continue to stand as the premier for the people of the British Virgin Islands and those who love this island and make here a home away from their place of birth.
Remember the earth is the Lord and the fulness thereof. God is the one over the entire universe.
I pray that He grant you the spirit of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, to lead the territory that He has entrusted upon you to lead.
But it is what the people deserve. They voted for him despite all the red flags.
But it is what the people deserve. They voted for him despite all the red flags.
We will not let u down. We will continue to build this beautiful country that we have called home for decades.
So in a nut shell the will apply.
I am concerned that the onslaught of so many new UK citizens via the BVI, those who would more than likely not be considered by the UK as preferred residing citizens in the UK ,could rattle the cage and the UK make changes to the current agreement .
Breathe out......
Move On...
Seize the time.
Now,about the guaranteed losn,bet there will be unexpected hiccups to discouragethe VI sooo dont say a thing. We down hill from here. Pay attentiion!