UPDATE: VI announces visa-free travel for Guyana nationals
“It underscores our shared vision of regional cooperation and opens new opportunities for people-to-people exchange. Many of our Caribbean brothers and sisters already benefit from visa-free access to the BVI and we are pleased to extend this reciprocal courtesy to Guyana, a giant in our Caribbean community,” Premier Wheatley stated at a press conference this morning, Monday, September 30, 2024.
‘Guyana a key partner for collaboration & investment’- Premier
Further elaborating on the Cabinet decision, Premier Wheatley said Guyana is currently experiencing a historic economic transformation, posting a growth rate of 62.3 percent in 2022, the highest in the world. This growth, he said, is being driven primarily by its burgeoning oil and gas sector, alongside a diversified economy that includes strong expansions in agriculture, mining, and construction.
“For the BVI, this makes Guyana a key partner for collaboration and investment.
But the question is why Guyana at this time? As a CARICOM member and emerging global power, Guyana has become a model for sustainable growth and international diplomacy. Guyana’s election to the United Nations Security Council places it in a pivotal position to influence the global policies on peace and security, an accomplishment that elevates the Caribbean’s voice on the international stage.”
VI trade mission to Guyana was ‘timely & fruitful’
Dr Wheatley continued that Guyana has become a focal point for global investment, driven by its significant oil reserves and growing non-oil sectors.
He also said Guyana’s economic boom has not gone unnoticed by the international community, including the US, United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil, and that several countries have already launched trade missions to Guyana.
According to Dr Wheatley, the trade mission to Guyana led by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) in August 2023, was “timely and fruitful”.
MoU for ‘deepening cooperation’ with Guyana in the works
“As promised, we have granted visa-free access and we are currently working on an MoU for deepening cooperation between Guyana and the BVI.”
Regarding when the visa-free travel will take effect, Premier Wheatley said he would need to discuss that with the Immigration Department and the Ministry for Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development.
“But the Cabinet decision was passed and the implementation should take place quickly,” the Premier and Minister responsible for Immigration stated.
See previous article published September 30, 2024
Gov’t to provide update on visitor visa waiver for Guyana nationals
Information reaching our News Centre is that the Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) Government is set to give an update today, September 30, 2024, on the promised visitor visa waiver for Guyana nationals.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) in August 2023 had announced that she had been authorised to say that the VI is considering lifting the visa requirement for Guyana and that it was expected to happen soon.
In November 2023, Hon Smith said the Government was “in discussions and we hope that by the beginning of the second quarter, there will be some formal decision taken.”
Hon Smith had also stated that if the VI is serious about doing business with Guyana and having a partnership with Guyana, the lifting of the visa restriction is the first thing that has to be done.
Live press conference
The update on the matter will be given at a press conference set for 10:00 AM this morning when Premier Wheatley addresses the territory on the $100m loan being borrowed from CIBC and other matters.
Guyanese make up the third largest foreign population in the VI and have been supporting the territory’s development since the 1960s.
Hon Smith last led a delegation to Guyana beginning Monday, July 31, 2023, to engage a number of government and business stakeholders on collaboration and investment opportunities between Guyana and the VI.
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34 Responses to “UPDATE: VI announces visa-free travel for Guyana nationals”
Just saying, have nothing against anyone
What is the driving force behind this move? Is there some hidden/covert agenda for the elites/aristocrats? What am I missing here please…? I am not averse to this decision; however, I don’t frankly see the point at this time. Can someone explain to me what benefits are there to the territory at this time?
They approve Guyanese to visit without a visa not approve them to come and work! You thinking from yuh @$$ or wa? Wa this have to do with working? Ayo youngins don’t even like %***ng wuk! Just busy like fast money!