Persons with ties to the British Virgin Islands and who can trace their ancestry up to four generations have now been included in government’s “fast-track” regularisation initiative
These include persons whose great-grandparents were born in the British Virgin Islands and have status in the territory. Fourth-generation British Virgin Islanders may not have been granted belonger status because either they or their parents were not born in the British Virgin Islands. The change will also streamline the application process and will bring fourth-generation Virgin Islanders under the remit of the legislation in the same way third-generation descendants have previously been provided for.
The move was recommended during the public consultation process that was held on the draft legislation to reunite families that may have been separated by the terms of the previous legislation. The government will designate a six-week window at a date to be announced during which the descendants of these British Virgin Islanders will be able to apply for belongership.
Premier Andrew Fahie when speaking in the House of Assembly during the second reading of the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) (No.2) Act of 2019, likened the move to repatriation rather than it strictly being an immigration matter. By including these descendants in the new Act, it is hoped that they will face fewer obstacles should they decide to return to the British Virgin Islands to live and work. Additionally, as part of government’s programme the government intends to provide incentives for eligible persons to remain in the territory.
