VISAS

Persons wishing to visit the British Virgin Islands are encouraged to verify visa requirements for entry at BVI ports. Applicants who fall under the requirements for a tourist visa can start the process by downloading a British Virgin Islands Visa Application Form and submitting all supporting documents to the BVI Visa Unit via the contact email address below.

Nationals of the Following Countries listed below require a visa to enter the BVI.

Visa Waiver for Taiwanese Nationals: On 3rd April, 2012, the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance issued a statement that visas are no longer required for Taiwanese passport holders who wish to visit the BVI for less than six (6) months as tourists, family visitors, business travellers and student visitors. For all other categories, the usual visa requirements will apply. The Premier noted that the British Virgin Islands already has a substantial international business engagement with the Asian region, so exploring into the tourism market is a natural transition. He further stated that beside tourism, the lifting of restrictions will also allow the British Virgin Islands and Taiwan to explore other economic and cultural opportunities. The BVI is the 125th country or region to grant visa-free entry or landing visas to Taiwanese passport holders.

Visa Exemption for People’s Republic of China Nationals: Cabinet, on 31st May, 2018 approved via Cabinet Memo No. 160/2018 visa exemption for nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to enter the Territory specifically for business and tourism purposes for the period not exceeding six (6) months.

Supporting Documents

It is imperative to note that all visa applications are subject to approval. 

Please be advised that the Civil Registry & Passport Office reserves the right to request further documentation following review of the application if the need arises..

• All documents produced in foreign languages (e.g. Spanish, French etc.) must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
• All foreign supporting documents should be apostilled (legalized) and notarized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the relevant home country.
• Completed BVI Visa Application Form
• Valid Passport Bio Page (6 month Validity at minimum)
• One (1) recent passport size photographs on a white, light grey or cream background. Further details on photo requirements can be found Here
• Letter of Sponsorship/invitation letter or a hotel confirmation
• Proof of employment or studies for applicant
• Bank reference for applicant
• Police Record for applicant
• Birth certificate (if application is for a minor)
• Fee of  $175.00(USD) (Non- refundable irrespective of the decision outcome)
• Complete, scan and e-mail the application form along with supporting documents to: bvivisas@gov.vg
• Any other document(s) that may be required upon request and relevant to visa type
• Passports must have a validity of six months or more when making an application for a visa.

 
If the application is found to be complete, a request for payment will be forwarded to you via email. The email will include instructions for the remittance of payment, as well as the cost of the visa.

After Payment has been cleared, the Visa Office will finalise processing of the visa application.
Following approval of the application, an electronic visa(e-Visa) will be emailed to the applicant.

All visas are subject to approval.  Therefore, travel should not be booked until the visa has been issued.

The Civil Registry and Passport Office is not responsible for monetary loss associated with the booking of travel, prior to the issuance of the visa.

NOTE:
If travel is being sponsored, proof of employment as well as a bank reference for the sponsor is required. Further, where bank statements are being submitted, they must be produced for the past six(6) months. The “Sponsor” refers to the individual to whom the applicant intends to visit and who will be deemed responsible for the applicant for the duration of their stay in the Virgin Islands.

Processing Times: 4 weeks (provided all documents are in order)
Disclaimer: (Dependent on the volume of applications, processing time may take longer.)

BVI Visa Unit

BVI Visa Exemption Programme

Cabinet has approved the implementation of the British Virgin Islands(BVI) Visa Exemption Programme which took effect from Thursday, 1st September 2016. The programme will allow nationals of a country that require a BVI visa, but who also hold a United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA) or Canadian visa, and are visiting the Territory for work, business, tourism and other related matters, to enter and remain for a period less than six months. The UK, USA or Canadian visa should have more than six (6) months of validity before travel to the Territory, and would only apply to visits of six (6) months or less. The initiative is part of the labour and immigration reform efforts to further streamline entry and facilitate economic growth for the Territory. It is also part of the Territory’s efforts to facilitate visitors, while at the same time, safeguarding national security.

Exemption for Cruise Passengers Remaining in the Territory for a Period of 24 Hours or Less

Statutory Instrument No. 15 of 2017, by Order dated 8th March, 2017 made under section 37(4) of the Immigration and Passport Act (Cap 130), and gazetted on 9th March, 2017, Cabinet, in exercise of the power conferred by section 37(4) of the Immigration and Passport Act (Cap 130), exempt a person arriving in the Territory on a cruise ship and who will remain in the Territory for a period of 24 hours or less, from the requirement of a visa where that person would, but for the exemption, require a visa.

Entry Requirements

Visitors entering the BVI, including UK citizens must have a valid passport and if required a valid visa for entry into the Virgin Islands. It is NOT a requirement to hold a passport with at least six months remaining until expiration for entry. Bona fide visitors may be granted entry for up to one month at the ports of entry, provided that they possess:

• • Return (or ongoing) tickets
  • Evidence of adequate means of support and
  • Pre-arranged accommodations during their stay

Persons wishing to extend their stay by up to six months will need to apply for an extension by contacting the Department of Immigration in Road Town.

The British Virgin Islands Customs and Immigration Portal