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Requiring a VI visa when on work permit ‘should go away’- Hon Lorna G. Smith

- said she wasn’t aware this was the case but will be seeking to abolish it
Deputy Premier and Minster for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) is surprised that some work permit holders are also required to have a visa for the Virgin Islands (VI) but says she will be working to eliminate that requirement. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), during a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2024, officially announced visa-free travel to the VI for nationals of Guyana. Photo: GIS
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), during a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2024, officially announced visa-free travel to the VI for nationals of Guyana. Photo: GIS
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) is surprised that some work permit holders are also required to have a visa for the Virgin Islands (VI) but says she will be working to eliminate that requirement.

The issue was brought up by JTV reporter Cathy O. Richards during an interview with Hon Smith on September 30, 2024, the same day Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) announced the VI was lifting the visa restriction on nationals of Guyana.

Ms Richards said she knows expatriates not requiring a visa to enter the VI do not need a visa to reside when on a work permit and wanted to know if Guyanese would be extended the same privileges.

‘I wasn’t aware’- Hon Smith

“I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t aware because I would have thought that once you got a work permit, and especially one that is renewed every year, you wouldn’t still have to do the visa,” Hon Smith responded.

The Deputy Premier continued that her intelligence would tell her that “should go away”.

“I don’t want to say straight away but I will be speaking with the Labour Department and, of course, the Deputy Governor’s Office to ensure that goes away very quickly,” Hon Smith added.

Regarding the lifting of the visa requirement for Guyanese travelling to the Virgin Islands, Hon Smith said it is a very “significant milestone” for the VI and Guyana as it paves the way for travel, business and investments.

With the removal of Guyana from the list of countries needing visas to enter the Territory, ninety countries still require visas. Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica, are the Caribbean countries with visa restrictions.

14 Responses to “Requiring a VI visa when on work permit ‘should go away’- Hon Lorna G. Smith”

  • LOL (07/10/2024, 10:08) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    They are not aware of so much that hampers business.
  • while we at it (07/10/2024, 10:22) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    why do we have to pay the bank, inland revenue, nhi & social security for letters of good standing, certificate of earnings, bank statement etc.???
    • It is tough for EVERYONE! (07/10/2024, 13:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't forget liquor licences, that was increased more than 200%, restaurant licences, land tax, building tax, electricity that is through the ceiling, water and phone bills, and every infraction Health could come up with. They start out with two-sink requirement, then they want 3, then they want 4 then they want 5, and so forth. But, people on the street who hardly have one sink could come and set up shop under you arm and nobody could do anything. That is why I am out of business today, it's far too burdensome as a small business owner. We are NOT protected in anyway, shape or form. But one thing I can say is that I was NEVER behind in paying my SS, NHI and Income tax for employees, because they deserved it, even it I did not turn a profit. If you have children to feed, oh well forget it. Small business if not for the weak. Cost of living in the BVI is absurd.
  • Nepper Jost (07/10/2024, 10:39) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is a complete abuse, these ministers who only seek personal incentives sit down to think about how to exploit immigrants with taxes to benefit themselves, every time the sun will shine more for those who will cry today and the whip of justice will fall on those who boast of their power.
  • Nothing for locals (07/10/2024, 10:45) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    She in the island people them corner
    • Yep (07/10/2024, 13:51) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Add "strong" to the end of that sentence. I always say that we as BVIslanders get the bad end of the stick every single time, because unfortunately, we do NOT like each other. Nothing new here.
  • This is what good leaders do (07/10/2024, 11:14) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    This is what good leaders do: they recognize when outdated or inefficient practices no longer serve a purpose, whether due to advances in technology or simply because they're no longer needed. They streamline those practices or eliminate them altogether. That's called progress. We can't afford to be stagnant, clinging to what no longer works when we should be adapting to move forward.
  • Hmmmmm (07/10/2024, 13:06) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    wait you all trying to leave the civil registry without money mon!! what the heck going on.. people working here making money what a measly $175 a year... if you want to reduce it yes but to zero come on the country needs revenue madam, what it should be is less than a visiting visa but not free.. goshhh!!
  • small business. atani ,chemontley (07/10/2024, 13:10) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    madam, your money set for life.. there are small businesses that actually run on assisting persons with paper work. You need to reconsider things and stop looking at things only from one angle.
  • Guyanese Reporter. (07/10/2024, 13:39) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

    She pusbing hard for the Guyanese, not against Guyanese ..Santo Domincans should have been first. Leave the Jamaicans stay out please. You heard in Jamaica hit man are killing anyone friends, enemies Families for 3 hundred U S. They will come here and start hitting for $1500.00 little bit a money then you wilk start seeing peopke missing,, gun down, bury in shallow grave Leave them Jamaican where them is...A hit man is a hit man any where that his trade.

    • resident (07/10/2024, 14:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      no way we have too much mingos already, we need to deport some of them
  • Here we go (07/10/2024, 13:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    This administration not for the people of the Bvi. The people who actually from here I mean. Every minute the banks auctioning off somebody property, bvislanders catching hell in bvi yet we continue to issue infinite work permits for any Tom dick or harry that what to come here to do any job. First they reduce the tax on western union and money gram etc now they removing visa requirements it’s like we dead set on facilitating our own downfall in our own country.
  • Iva Biggin (07/10/2024, 15:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about not taking 3 months to process a simple WP exemption renewal for a person that has lived here for 20 years???
  • Me (07/10/2024, 15:55) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Very good decision Hon. Smith. We have to retire some of these outdated practices and streamline to the new ones.


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