Emigrating to the British Virgin Islands

Emigrating to the British Virgin Islands
If you are a US or Canadian citizen who wish to enter the British Virgin Islands, it is best that you hold a current passport, although this is not a stringent requirement. You can likewise enter the Islands with just a citizen's certificate, a birth certificate or a voter registration card, plus at least one identification card with photo like your driver's license. For visitors from other countries, a passport is a requirement when it comes to proving your identity. At times, visitors from some other countries may also be asked to present a visa.

To engage in gainful employment in the British Virgin Islands, you need to apply for a work permit. This is the rule except for those who are considered “Belongers”, meaning holders of a certificate of residency and naturalized citizens. However, a work permit will only be issued if there is no suitable local person who can fill the job position you are after.

In 2001, a new Labour Code Law was passed in the Islands. This amended the main stipulation in the law that states that “non-belonger” employees in the Islands will no longer be eligible for an initial work permit that lasts for more than 5 years. Now, a work permit can be issued for a period of just up to one year at a time, although this can be subjected to extensions or renewals. However, there is a 5-year limit to this, which means that after five years, a work permit holder must leave the Islands with his dependents, if he has any.  He should stay outside the territory for a period of time as determined by the Governor-in-Council, after which he can return to the country and be reconsidered for re-employment or even for new employment.