Government has revealed plans to update the Immigration and Passport Act to give special consideration for residency and belongership status to workers in education, law enforcement and healthcare.
This was announced during the 2022 Speech from the Throne on Tuesday January 18 by His Excellency Governor John Rankin.
According to the governor, the Andrew Fahie led Administration is focused on modernising both the Immigration and Labour legislations for the year 2022.
He said, “The Immigration and Passport Act (CAP. 208) will also be amended to give special consideration for residency and belongership for workers in these areas – education, law enforcement, and healthcare. Additionally, the Government of the Virgin Islands will aim to facilitate the grant of fourth generation belongership upon successful completion of the application.”
Fee structure and additional services to be introduced
Governor Rankin also announced plans to introduce new fees and services within the Immigration Department and the Department of Workforce Development which he said will strengthen both departments.
“Government will seek to revise the Act to modernise the legislation and allow the department to benefit from a legislative regime. This will include a fee structure and additional services that respond to the Virgin Islands’ current needs for greater protection of our borders, and the orderly admission of migrant workers and residents, whilst further strengthening our capability to administer residence and belonger status in a fair, equitable and transparent manner. The proposed framework will harness technology to modernise immigration,” he explained.
The governor also said that the Virgin Islands Labour Code, 2010 will be amended to allow for greater efficiency in the processing of work permits without disenfranchising Virgin Islanders.