The highly anticipated “BVI Gateway App” which gives incoming tourists authorization to enter the British Virgin Islands was launched yesterday, November 23rd by Government of the Virgin Islands.
The mobile application will be used by visitors to upload their travel documents prior to their arrival from December 1st, onwards.
The portal details the application process for both Residents and Non-residents.
Residents are required to apply to the site and if home quarantining is required, this must be requested at least 7-days prior to arrival to allow for proper health inspection of the property. Personal information, answers to pertinent health questions and a negative PCR test result must be applied before gaining authorization for reentry.
Under the non-resident tab, persons are to submit proof of payment for the required minimum 5-day accommodation from an “Approved Travel Accommodation”. Similarly personal information, a negative PCR test result and the mandated “travel insurance that covers Covid-19” are required.
Approved travelers must present their BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate, along with their negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, at the check-in counter prior to boarding the flight into the territory.
The negative PCR test result should be obtained at least five days prior to travel, and persons testing positive would be denied approval to travel to the territory.
On October 26th, Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Andrew A. Fahie said the approval process would take the form of a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate.
“This Certificate streamlines the process at the BVI’s ports of entry-both air and seaports, and removes the need to fill out the paper versions of the same form. Immigration and Customs forms; and all supporting documentation would be readily available online to the relevant authority by merely entering the Certificate ID. Our aggressive adaptation of technology further ensures that we operate in a low touch, high tech environment,” the Premier explained
The new government-implemented app, wearable technology and relevant system were all developed by Amber Group Limited, which is a global technology company based in Jamaica, with operations in 23 countries.
The app initially set to be launched on November 2nd, 2020 was commissioned yesterday, 1-week prior to the border reopening due to a “delay of certain information to be furnished” according to Premier Fahie.
Please see link to the website below for more information.