Business BVI Guides
Work Permit And Immigration Matters
are urged to obtain passports to enter the BVI. Upon entering the BVI, all expatriates must have a return ticket to their home country. Once in the BVI, the employee can receive his work permit by visiting the Labour Department. The Territory’s new work permit cards are highly sophisticated holographic cards, that can also be used as a pictured identification card and are the size of a regular bank card. It is very important that work permit holders have their work permit cards on their person at all times.
Once you have found your ideal job in the British Virgin Islands, if you are not a citizen of the BVI, you must obtain a work permit. This permit allows you to legally work in the Territory for a specific employer. Even if individuals plan to work for a few months, a Temporary Work Permit must be obtained. While work permits are being processed, perspective employees must reside outside of the BVI.
Once the card is received, employees must take the card and job letter to the Immigration Department. There a stamp is placed in the employee’s passport showing that he or she is a legal resident of the BVI. Once this process is completed, employees are legally permitted to work, reside and travel in and out of the British Virgin Islands.
Work permit applications are filed by the employer and not the employee. A new work permit application form must be filed with supporting documents, such as: • Cover letter from employer • Prospective employee’s resume • Proof of qualifications for the job • Copy of newspaper advertisement of the job • 1 passport sized photo of applicant Work permit applications are processed within 30 working days. Once the work permit is approved, the application is forwarded to the Immigration Department. Immigration then grants a clearance letter which will be used by the employee to enter the Territory. The employer will be given the clearance letter and a medical form to forward to the employee. A thorough medical must be done and a medical certificate granted before entering the BVI. Once the employee enters the Territory, the medical certificate must be approved by the BVI Health Services Authority. If any additional vaccinations or tests are needed, these can be done by the Government’s health clinic. IN
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Labour Department 284 468 3701 ext. 4708/ 4780 Immigration Department 284 468 3701 ext. 4700/ 4770
It is important to note that citizens of particular countries must obtain a visitor’s VISA to enter the British Virgin Islands. This can be obtained at the nearest British embassy in the applicant’s home or residing country. A full list of qualifying countries can be obtained from the Deputy Governor’s Office website at www.dgo.gov.vg. Additionally, while the need for passports to enter the BVI for United States and Canadian citizens have been extended; citizens of those countries
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Social Security Social Security is a compulsory insurance plan to which employers, employees, self employed individuals must contribute. It is designed to protect insured persons from financial distress by providing partial income replacement when particular contingencies arise. Sickness, maternity, invalidity, age, funeral, survivor’s and employment injury benefits are paid to qualified persons. All working individuals between the ages of 15 and 65 years must register with the Social Security Board and obtain a BVI Social Security card. This is a one time registration. To register, persons must fill out an Employee’s Registration Form and submit proof of birth, i.e. birth certificate or passport. Forms may be collected and filed at the Board’s office in Road Town. Social Security payments are mandatory. Contributions for private employees and self-
employed persons are 81/2 percent of insurable earnings. Employees contribute 4 percent of that total and 41/2 percent is contributed by employers. Civil servants contribute 71/2 percent; 31/2 percent by employee and 4 percent by Government. Social Security contributions can also be voluntary for persons who have worked in the Territory and are living abroad or for persons who no longer work but are not at the eligible age of 65 to collect benefits. This contribution is 7 percent of earnings established by the Board. Social Security Board 284 494 3418
Travelling To The British Virgin Islands The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport is located on Beef Island. It is the Territory’s main airport with internationally recognised airport code, EIS. Some travelers fly into the United States Virgin Islands’ island of St. Thomas at the Cyril E. King International Airport, code STT. After arriving at this airport take a 10 minute taxi ride to the waterfront ferry terminal in Charlotte Amalie where you can catch various ferries over to the BVI. The ferry ride is usually 45 minutes to West End, Tortola or 60 minutes to Road Town, Tortola. In St. Thomas, persons may also travel via sea plane to the BVI’s Sister Island of Virgin Gorda. If you choose to arrive in the BVI, via the USVI, you must clear immigration in the British Virgin Islands.
Shipping To The BVI Shipping personal effects from home furniture, personal goods and even vehicles can easily be done through a shipping agent in the Territory. Once you have identified the agent you would like to use, you will be informed of the closest company to your address in your home country that you can have items delivered to or packed for pick up. As the sender,
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