The Immigration and Passport Amendment Bill, 2024, passed with amendments on Friday after the House of Assembly returned from a closed-door committee session, according to HOA Public Relations Officer Linton …
May 30, 2024
May 24, 2024
HOA debates 20-year path to belongership
A 20-year residence requirement for belongership applicants is among the broad-ranging immigration reforms proposed under a bill currently under consideration in the House of Assembly. The Immigration and Passport Amendment …
March 11, 2024
Immigration Policy keeps 20-year rule the COI deemed ‘unlawful,’ but law could change soon to match it
The government’s new Immigration Policy keeps in place a 20-year residency requirement for belongership applicants that the Commission of Inquiry previously deemed “unlawful” under the Immigration and Passport Act. However, …
October 23, 2023
Residents weigh in on belongership
During a series of public meetings held over several days, residents got a chance to weigh in on potential government plans to create an immigration policy, amend the Immigration and …
October 12, 2023
What to know about belongership review as meetings start
Last year, the Commission of Inquiry report recommended a review designed in part to clarify a controversial question in the Virgin Islands: How many years must an expatriate live here …
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December 19, 2019
Belongership, residency backlogs cleared
Monday afternoon was an emotional day for many people who have lived in the Virgin Islands for decades as they accepted certificates granting them residency, belonger status, or both. “It …
July 26, 2019
Belongership “fast track” is back again
Beginning yesterday, applicants for permanent residency and belongership have three weeks to apply to the Immigration Department for consideration under the modified “fast-track programme” designed to clear the backlog of …
June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Residency debate sparks ‘disgust’
Our newly appointed “King” Fahie (see government press release) may have called a National Day of Prayer for today but I am afraid he and God have an uphill task …
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May 30, 2019
Belongership “fast track” postponed
An amendment related to the controversial “fast-track” plan to residency and belongership being championed by Premier Andrew Fahie is scheduled for a hearing in the House of Assembly on Monday, …
