Benefits Of British Virgin Islands Residency And Belonger Status

After living in the British Virgin Islands for twenty years a person can apply for Work Permit Exemption.  This allows the worker to work in the territory,legally, without having to renew his or her work permit every year.  However you still have to renew immigration time and pay 25$

After one year of receiving work permit exemption you can apply for Residency Status:  no longer have to go through the annual renewal with immigration as mentioned above.

After one year of receiving residency status you can apply for Belonger Status:   same benefits as of residency status plus you can vote at the general elections, trade license is much cheaper.  No land holder license required when purchasing land.  You can get apply for a British Virgin Islands passport.

This British Virgin Islands passport allows you to travel to the United States Virgin Islands without an American Visa however, if you have to travel to the main land - United States Of America, you will need an American Visa.

Neutralize Status:

British citizen and get a UK passport

BVI Premier Andrew Fahie Statement On Residency Status 2019

I am so excited to learn about this latest information from Premier Andrew Fahie - newly government official of the VIP party.  His statement is about a new program which allows residence who have been living in the territory for 15 years and over to apply for residency and belonger status.

This statement was issued on Tuesday May 7, 2019

What Would My Monthly Expenses Be Like Living In The British Virgin Islands?

Q:  How much is the budget on food, rents and others stuff monthly like that?

A:  Rent could be between $800.00 - $1500.00 and up.  This all depends on the number of rooms and if the apartment is furnished or not and if utilities are included in the rent.

Electricity: We pay an average of $60.00 monthly in a 2 bedroom apartment with my husband and I.

Water: $50.00

Cable TV: $55.00 (we have the basic service).  Since after hurricane Irma 2017, we no longer pay for cable TV.  The company that provided that service has closed down.  I use Netflix and pay for one device which is $7.99 a month.

Groceries: We spend about $400.00 a month and we don't buy meat.  Many people opt to going to St. Thomas (of course you will have to have your american visa) and buy bulk grocery items.  There is a Price Mart outlet there.

Cruise ship docked at Tortola Pier Park, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

How To Get A Job In The British Virgin Islands

Q:  What is the process to get a job in the British Virgin Islands?

A:  You can do your research before arriving in the British Virgin Islands.  You can check out this online newspaper BVI Beacon newspaper and look for job vacancies and apartments to rent in the classified ads section.  
I like to recommend this website because they update the classified ads section on a regular basis.

A word of caution though, many jobs vacancies you may see in the classified ads section of the newspapers would have been filled.  The reason the vacancies would still be in the newspapers is that the employer has to put an ad in the papers for two weeks. This is part of the work permit process.

However have no fear there will be 'real' job vacancies listed the the classified section of the newspapers.

Of course, you can come on vacation and look for a job while you are here.  You will definitely have to leave the island once you have found a job and your work permit is being processed.