Business BVI Guides
Government Listings Government Ministries and Departments Central Administrative Complex Road Town Tortola British Virgin Islands Website: www.bvi.gov.vg Premier’s Office Tel: (284) 468-2152 Fax: (284) 468-3294 E-mail: premieroffice@gov.vg Ministry of Finance Tel: (284) 468-2144 Fax: (284) 468-3299 Email: finance@gov.vg Ministry of Health and Social Development Tel: (284) 468-2174/2282 Fax: (284) 468-4412 E-mail: ministryofhealth@gov.vg Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities Tel: (284) 468-2183 Fax: (284) 468-3090 Email: mcw@gov.vg Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Tel: (284) 468-2147 Fax: (284) 468-3321 Email: nrl@gov.vg Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Tel: (284) 468-2151 Fax: (284) 468-3343 Email: mec@gov.vg Immigration Department 2nd Floor RJT Edifice Building Wickham’s Cay 1, Tortola Tel: (284) 468-4700 Fax: (284) 468-4729 E-mail: immigrationinfo@gov.vg Labour Department 2nd Floor, Ashley Ritter Building Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 468-4707/4780 Fax: (284) 468-2570 E-mail: labour@gov.vg
Statutory Bodies/Associated Agencies
Image courtesy of BVI Tourist Board
Real Estate Buying and Selling Property in the BVI Foreigners planning to purchase property in the British Virgin Islands, require a NonBelonger Land Holding License. Agreements to purchase property are therefore made contingent upon such a license being obtained by the purchaser. Application for a NonBelonger Land Holding License is made to the Government of the British Virgin Islands, Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour. If the application for a license relates to undeveloped or partly developed land, the applicant will be required to make a commitment to the Government of the British Virgin Islands to expend a specified sum on development within a specified time period. The purchase of property by all persons, including citizens and foreigners is subject to a Government stamp duty subsequent to transference of the property. The rate of 12% of the purchase price or appraised value whichever is higher, is payable by any foreigner and citizens are required to pay 4%. The stamp duty on leaseholds is lower. Other costs associated with the purchasing of property in the BVI include: legal fees (usually between 1.5% to 2% of the purchase price), bank fees, 10% deposit to the seller’s agent to be held in escrow on the signing of the purchase agreement, pending acceptance and completion. There are no restrictions on an overseas investor re-selling a developed property. The property must however, be advertised for four weeks in the local press to give any local person the opportunity to purchase on the same terms. | BB
Financial Investigations Agency Ritter House Wickhams Cay II Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 494-1335 Fax: (284) 494-1435 E-mail: info@fiabvi.vg Website: www.fiabvi.org BVI Finance Cutlass Tower, 4th Floor Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 852-1957 E-mail: info@bvifinance.vg Website: www.bvifinance.vg BVI Tourist Board 3rd Floor, Eureka Geneva Building Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 494-3134 Fax: (284) 494-3866 E-mail: info@bvitourism.com Website: www.bvitourism.com The BVI Commercial Court Old Banco Popular Building Main Street Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 468-2724 Fax: (284) 468-2729 cdecsc@gov.vg
Financial Services Commission Pasea Estate Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 494-1335 Fax: (284) 494-1435 E-mail: webmaster@bvifsc.vg Website: www.bvifsc.vg Telecommunications Regulatory Commission 27 Fish lock Road LM Business Centre 3rd Floor Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 468-4165 Fax: (284) 494-6786 E-mail: contract@trc.vg Website: www.trc.vg Virgin Islands Shipping Registry 2nd Floor RG Hodge Plaza (Old Traffic Building) Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 468-9646 Fax: (284) 468-2913 E-mail: vishipping.gov.vg Website: www.vishipping.gov.vg BVI International Arbitration Centre Ritter House Wickhams Cay II Road Town, Tortola Tel: (284) 340-9002 E-mail: info@bviiac.org Website: www.bviiac.org Government Overseas Offices BVI London Office 15 Upper Grosvernor Street London WIK 7PJ United Kingdom Tel: + 44 207 355 9570 BVI House Asia Suite 5106, 51/F., Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3468 8533 Fax: (852) 3107 0019 BVI Tourism Offices New York 1 West 34th Street Suite 302 New York, NY 10001 Tel: 800-835-8530 / 212-563-3117 Fax: 212-563-2263 E-mail: info@bvitourism.com Los Angeles 6601 Center Drive Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90045 Tel: 213-304-2993 United Kingdom 15 Upper Grosvenor St. London W1K 7PJ Tel: + 44-207-355-9585 Fax: + 44-207-355-9587 E-mail: info@bvi.org.uk
Emergency Numbers Police, Fire & Ambulance Virgin Islands Search and Rescue BVI Electricity Corporation Fire and Rescue Hospital Police Headquarters Water and Sewage
999 / 911 / 112 767 / 499-0911 494-3911/3912 468-4267/4268 852-7500 494-3822 468-5766/5901
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: All of the information in this guide has been carefully collected and prepared, but it still remains subject to change and correction. Use these contents for general guidance only and seek extra assistance from a professional adviser with regards to any specific matters. Readers can contact the relevant authorities mentioned in this Fast Fact Guide.
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