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.

• Afghanistan • Guinea-Bissau • Peru
• Albania • Guyana • Philippines
• Algeria • Haiti • Qatar
• Angola • Indonesia • Russian Republic(Federation)
• Armenia • Iran  • Rwanda
• Azerbaijan  • Iraq • Sao Tome & Principle
• Bahrain • Israel  • Saudi Arabia
• Belarus  • Ivory Coast • Senegal
• Benin • Jamaica • Somalia
• Bhutan • Jordan • Sudan
• Bosnia-Herzegovina • Kazakhstan • Surinam
• Burkina • Kyrgyztan • Syria
• Burundi • Korea (North) • Taiwan (for purposes other than tourism and business)
• Burma • Kuwait • Tajikistan
• Cambodia • Laos • Thailand
• Cameroon • Lebanon • Togo
• Cape Verde • Liberia • Turkey
• Central African Republic • Libya • Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
• Chad • Macedonia • Turkmenistan
• China(for the purpose other than tourism and business, not including Hong Kong (SAR)  • Madagascar • Ukraine
• Colombia • Mali • United Arab Emirates
• Comoros  • Mauritania • Uzbekistan
• Congo • Moldova • Vietnam
• Cuba • Mongolia • Yemen
• Djibouti • Morocco • Zaire
• Dominican Republic  • Mozambique
• Egypt • Myanmar
• Equatorial Guinea • Nepal
• Eritrea • Niger
• Ethiopia • Nigeria
• Gabon • Oman
• Georgia • Pakistan
• Guinea • Palestine

 

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.

  • Original Documents must be submitted with the application.
  • 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 Mandatory)
  • Two (2) recent passport size photographs on a white, light grey or cream background
  • Fee of  $175.00(USD) (Non- refundable). A credit card authorization form can be downloaded Here
  • The applicant is then required to scan and e-mail the completed Credit/Debit Card Authorization form, along with a coloured copy of the following supporting documents, to: bvivisas@gov.vg
    • Front and back of the credit/debit card
    • Valid government issued photo identification

    NOTE: The name and signature on the ID must match the name and signature on the credit card, in order to process payment. 

  • Any other document(s) that may be required upon request and relevant to visa type

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

Direct: +1(284) 494-3443
Switchboard: +1(284) 494-3701 Ext 3443
Email: bvivisas@gov.vg

 

 

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.

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British Virgin Islands London Office