Authorities in the US Virgin Islands USVI) is still awaiting federal government approval on a law that will eliminate visa requirements for select nationals from neighbouring Caribbean states. Photo: Internet Source/File

The USVI is currently become one of the Caribbean’s cultural meccas, and the visa waiver will help make the island more attractive for artistes and promoters. Photo: Internet Source

Speaking to the regional-based Loop news, USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph B. Boschulte at a conference of the regional Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Montego Bay, Jamaica said the USVI hopes a decision will be made soon in an effort to make inter-regional travel easier and build cultural relations.

“We still believe in having easier travel among the Caribbean islands. We are all in the same region,” Boschulte added. 

“We have cultural agreements with countries from an artiste and cultural exchange standpoint. It would be a lot easier for us, especially when we bring artistes in for our carnival and festivals. The visa process can be a bit challenging to bring the artiste in from Trinidad and some of the other places,” he added.

The USVI is currently become one of the Caribbean’s cultural meccas, and the visa waiver will help make the island more attractive for artistes and promoters.

The visa waiver process began in 2022 when the US Congress’ House Judiciary Committee approved the Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act (H.R. 5460)

Visa waver for 45 days 

The [United States] Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act would allow the Department of Homeland Security to consider approving non-immigrant visitor visa waivers for entry into the territory for up to 45 days primarily for residents of neighbouring Caribbean countries.

News of the proposed law clearing the first hurdle was met with excitement across the region. Many in Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and St Lucia questioned whether they would be eligible to participate in the visa waiver program.

Boschulte noted the government is looking at places where the USVI has a strong diaspora and cultural links, but he said that decision is yet to be finalized. 

“From our standpoint, and this is from a festival perspective, we have relationships with Trinidad and Tobago and Anguilla. We are reaching out and having conversations with Antigua. We also do this close with the British Virgin Islands. So our genesis for the most part has been either on the cultural/carnival arts side or where we have large diaspora,” he added.