There is good news for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) citizens travelling to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) that they will get visa-free access to the United States territories.
In a recent meeting with regional tourism officials at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) State of the Industry Conference held in Fort-de-France, Martinique from October 16-18, Governor John de Jongh of the USVI has reiterated that the USVI wants to cooperate in the movement of Caricom nationals throughout the region by providing them with visa-free access for sporting events, medical services and general tourism.
When they can finally offer us visa free entry, things seem to be really bad. Thanks but no thanks Sir. I am no longer interested in entering us territory to share in your terror or to shield you from the terror that you brought on yourself. As bad as it is Dominica has come a long way I will spend my money here.
Won’t happen
This is a good idea which will never materialized unless the USVI wants to become part of the Caricom and not part of the USA. I do not see this happening at all. Politicians just say what they want when they are in the midst of a certain population.
your finger prints and lazered eyes will be in their data base so you will not be able to get away. please do not spoil it for others. enjoy it while it last.
good luck.
Trust me, I have been living in the USVI for many years and things has never been the way it is now. I mean very bad. Mister has sold the VI and is now a millionaire. Money under the table and he looking for more. This is US soil and he cannot do a thing even if he dreams about it. The mainland will not agree.
It would be good for some people to go then and only then they will find out how good they have it in Dominica then they will stop bashing Dominica
My girl i could not agree wwith you more, everyday i crying to come back at my home. I have neither hungry nor broke nor homeless, but its a different life style nothing like the one we ENJOY. On the other hand the Visa waiver would make me very excited. Gosh i would love that.
Wii bon diay Gwanbay fini!!! No more “agricultural” products, no more lapo cabwit in December, no more wetting in de wet fete (papa met!!)(and mama mete!!)
But seriously, is this guy up for reelection during the coming mid-term elections in November? Hmmmmmm 
Nope for done do his two terms!He jus trying impress caricom heads! As for Visa waiver that has to come from the Washington! Not him and on top of that the USVI legislature have to agree to a move like that!
I believe that some politicians in the VI made a mistake (which I will not go into). As result people are leaving in waves to greener pastures. Business are closing. Schools are closing or joining together.
Believe me when I tell you they know that some people will stay and some will go back home, but they really want people to come to the VI to stay ‘by whatever means we know best’.
I totally disagree. The governor stated this would be a means of increases the number of VISITORS to the island. They have no intentions of having people permanently reside there.
From being here for about 13yrs, Virgin islanders never have anything good to say about people from other countries coming to reside here. For this reason, what the governor is trying to do will never happen. VI natives will raise hell. They’re already saying their children and relatives cannot get benefits because so many islanders “in their place.” They refer to us a garrots. This man from d/ca ran for senator and these people were so blunt, brutal and violent in their comments about theeir views of down-islanders coming to live here.
Secondly, The VI isn’t independent. They/re considered minor outlying US territory. Never on God’s green earth will ‘outsiders’ be allowed to set foot on US territory without a visa. Besides the fact that it is a means of regulating the population, it just won’t happen. These place has enough illegal citizens as it is already. It just won’t happen
The caption is very misleading. The article says the Governor made a recommendation which now has to be passed by the congress of the USA as part of an overall immigration bill…Journalists should make every effort to not mislead and state things as they are.
you right the governor of the virgin Islands connot pass any immigration bill without congress the virgin Islands is part of the united States.
Very Misleading. My first thought was, who gave him that power. Or was he giving up the US status to become part of Caricom. It’s a good gesture but this will not happen. USA is USA.
i hope if this come to pass we do not spoil it; nous tellement sot
I just hope there is a way to monitor us when we come in and out because some people will want to abuse the privilege and never come back to Dominica, then spoil it for the rest of the honest ones.
This has been like this for years the amount of Dominican who are in St Thomas without visa’s and cannot leave to visit their family in Dominica.
So what difference would it make now.
true. but now they are LEGALLY entering, it will be a much larger number.
WHAT is ur issue? stups…
The governor can’t do it on his own but he took it to congress and its getting consideration.
Does that mean I can stay illegal
It’s a stupid thing to do….
It was about time. Great move
Look is now they will have to re-name STT LIL GRAND BAY. Give Grand bay people pass ,their bag already pack…………
You probably one waiting for u boxes from them. lol
Some of you sounding like you wish it did not happen, why? Is it because Skerrit is the PM or DA? Jeez we even opposing what the outside world wants to do for us because of SKerrit, such hatred will only keep you all in the yard.
U go to the USA and u will c how quickly u will come back to Skerrit
I welcome this Greater Caribbean regional initiative. However, according to the story, “After a discussion and explanation on its importance, Senator Wyden agreed to sponsor an amendment to the immigration bill currently before Congress that would grant special visa waivers to residents of the 15 countries in the Caribbean Community for trips to the US Virgin Islands. The waivers would be specifically for individuals who are travelling for sporting events, medical services and general tourism,” Governor de Jongh said. Therefore this is not yet finalised and may not pass Homeland Security criteria for relaxation of immigration law. Secondly, the Governor made it clear that this is only for entry into the USVI, so you people stop all this talk about the USA and US territory. Don’t different States in the United States adopt different State Law, for example legality of Marijuana and Gay marriage is different in different States. The Laws governing the “territories” can also apply discretion and differences. Let us hope that this comes through for the benefit of all the Caribbean peoples. One Caribbean Nation – One Caribbean People – One Love!
Should not bite too much into this one, think this has to get clearance from state department with all these transhipment of drugs i caribbean waters and criminals holding Dominican Passports,terrorism is another issue
So what? You talking like you are one of them that have a US green card/passport, but you don’t ant others to have.
Trust me the US administration probably want this to happen. The Mexicans have easy access. Why can’t we?
That will never happen, That guy has no say whatsoever he needs to take several sits.
Lol look joke. Don’t make dejough fool allu. He dont have them kind of powers…
DNO is all about “Feel Good” journalism – Putting the cart before the horse. No visa waiver program for the Caribbean is in the making. That is just pure propaganda. It won’t happen now nor in the near future.
Also, the request was sent to the US State Department by Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress long before Gov. de Jongh came up with it.
Well I for one never had any intentions of going to the USVI and seeing the level of crime there I believe that this will cause more of our citizens to end up following the citizens and believe that they are one of them thus making wrong decisions and ending up in the worst citations.
So now all Grand Bay people living in DA will be all gone, EH BEY LOOK IT !
grand bay people file is already in ,choose another village.
Faceup.
Well if they come we will do our best to help them.
but is true. alu too defensive for nothing and ignorant. i from gbay too and it is a fact that st.thomas has more grandbay ple than anywhere else.
I think the heading is misleading. Its makes us believe is something that cook and curry already. fix this DNO!
We live in the Caribbean. We are one caribbean. We should be able to visit each other without a problem. However, I think it should be for native born because too many people from other countries obtain CARICOM passports easily
I am sorry but this is ridiculous .
Then, native for how many generations ?
What about “Dominicans” born abroad….
You are Dominican once you have a Dominican passport. End of the story.
This guy is talking nonsense. The USVI can’t even vote in any of the two Houses of Congress. USVI representatives have to ask representatives from other state to attach any bill that they have to thier own in order for USVI bill to reach the floors of Congress. Where this guy got this power from?.
We have a delegate to Congress. Also, we have the ability to have our constitution
they have tried for this constitutonallty,numerous times,and where denied,i think de jongh is bluffing,de jongh lies alot,the people of the USVI want him gone,election is next year,when is he going to implement this legislature,and beside’s,the US has a security problem,are they going to allow,cubans,venezuelians,and whatever to enter without visa restrictions,give me a break,this a joke,this man did not have anything to say,that is who he is, a make believe’er
and let me also add,this man used government funds to build up his own personal property,thus raising the value of his property,on the premiss,that he wanted security at his home,because he refused to live at the government house,which is provided for governers,he promised to pay back before he lives office,he has not done that yet,this man is in a lot problems,let alone talk about lifting visa restrictions,i you wait,according to them st thomians. 
one more thing,i almost forgot,this constitution is aimed at disctinting,who is a native virgin islander from a foreigner,they want to apply the same local laws like the BVI,other people will not have the same rights as natives,so how is this lifting of visa regulations going to work.
@forreal!!! why didn’t you read the article before writing such a long statement. They specifically said CARICOM
It is true that we do not have voting representatives in either the House or the Senate, but that does NOT mean we are without a voice there. The Governor and our Representative to Congress both have the ears of several US legislators in both houses of Congress and do get things done. Your comment is both incorrect and uninformed.
Our Governor is NOT taking nonsense, he is trying to reach out to the CARICOM members and using the power of his office to bring about legislation and rules that will permit this. Governor DeJongh is no clown; he is a master statesman and arguably the best Governor this Territory has had.
As to Dominica’s “instant citizens”, we’ll deal with them as they come. That is what Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is for, aided by Interpol.
Rich, take a seat. We ARE without a voice. Stop fronting. It is what it is. We can’t vote in general elections, matte of fact these people have no idea we exist (maybe im exaggerating). it is what is
Me.
Hello you are correct to a certain point but that’s why they have Donna Christensen from St Croix who is the delegate to Congress. She already took that step to have the bill attached to another bill so let us hope it work out because this could help our people. Also the Jamaica Gleaner provide more details than what DNO post.
And how are they going to account for the 12,000 people who became instant “Dominicans” over the past two decaded plus the other two thousand that will become instant Dominicans later this year?
Do you think the US trusts the vetting process we have in place to ensure we are not selling our passports to Bin Laden’s children? I would not count on that ever happening. This is wishful thinking on the part of the governor.
The Cuban, Colombians, Mexicans and all the other ans already packing their bags heading to Dominica because well selling citizenship and now we have free access to the US… well lookit!!
Well our passport price should increase.. Skerrit this is opportunity.. increase the passport price!!!
I find that difficult to digest as the USVI cannot on their own do that. The USVI is considered US territory and the US will very likely not allow this.
Read the *full article* and you will see it already has Congressional support and the tacit approval of Homeland Security.
So what? You talking like you are one of them that have a US green card/passport, but you don’t want others to have.
Trust me the US administration probably want this to happen. The Mexicans have easy access. Why can’t we?
Great idea
If this is fully implemented, it will not be by accident. Someone crunched the numbers and figured out that this will be beneficial for them. Only the idiots at CARICOM are dragging their feet with full integration.
You are thinking smartly. I support you on this one.
Trust me, it will not happen. In such case, once you are on US soil in the USVI what then will hinder you from flying to New York or LA? There are many things which has to be implemented for such good news to be fully implemented. Do you know anything about the United States Republican ruled Congress? Don’t bank on that dream. Why don’t they say free pass to China instead? That’s where the Caribbean Leaders are leaning.
US territories /= US
I didn’t think we needed a Visa to go to USVI anyway
You don’t need a visa is you are going through the back door.
according to the Jamaica Gleanor….
“de Jongh says the proposal has received support in the US House of Representatives, the Senate and the Department of Homeland Security, but notes that there is no timetable for its implementation.”
remind me again, what will prevent it from happening????? the department of homeland security agree to it… that’s in the bag already
What’s the point of saying we can go to us soil if this happens? The USVI is ‘US soil’
Besides what’s stopping anyone from flying to the US from any other island? This is a dumb thing to say
@civic, i’m not too clear, upon what you’re referring… sweep is implying, once on U.S soil in the U.S.V.I one could board a plane and head to N.Y.C….
Not the case, the immigration officers in the ports will check to ensure, passports have necessary visas to enter the mainland U.S.A… simple as that…. plus all flights entering from U.S.V.I into mainland U.S.A has to be checked at the arrival in the mainland… exception is only puerto rico, where u walk away free, when you pass through puerto rico….
so being lucky and getting a flight from U.S.V.I to Miami, you will get checked when you arrive in Miami… whereas if you flight was taken in Puerto Rico… when you arrive in Miami, you simply pick up your bag and walk
@Civic. Do you know that the American Embassy can grant you a visa for St Thomas and not mainland USA?
@anonymous:
Sorry, that’s not correct. The Customs and Border Protection checkpoint is when leaving the USVI, not when arriving in Miami. Only when you arrive in Miami (or other US destination) on a flight originating in a foreign country do you have to clear Customs on arrival.
When I fly through PR to Miami, I only get checked here in the VI, not in either PR or Miami. I frankly don’t understand this one at all. It would seem that there are no checks when flying from PR to Miami, though I may be missing something. I try my best not to have to go through PR, but rather to take direct flights from STX to Miami.
Anonymous.
Hello I want to address the middle portion of your paragraph in which you stated that. All flights entering the mainland from the USVI has to be checked. No that’s not correct rather once you are checked by (ICE) Immigration and Custom Enforcement in The USVI and you arrived at JFK in NYC you go straight to the luggage area where you pick up your luggage and you leave. No one else check your paper work. I have been traveling from NYC to St Thomas every year since 1992.
You have to show your visa before you board the plane in USVI. And you just dont walk off in Puerto Rico .You still have to check in .Everyone landing in PUERTO RICO HAS TO CHECK IN
sweet domonica you are a fool.people like you keep countries down.you need a visa or have to show proper documents when flying from st thomas to anyother us countries except for st croix and st john.
@ John Brown. What do you know about traveling to call sweep a full? the man is right! Where have you been? to the Cabrits? Cabuit…
no my dear. when u leave st.thomas u head straight to nyc or fl without showing documents. stt is a u.s port just like the mainland. get your facts straight
I have seen visas issued to some person restricting their movements only within the USVI
To go from the VI to the US requires you to clear through Customs and Border Protection just as if you were coming from a foreign country. Without a proper visa, CARICOM residents will not be permitted to fly on to the US mainland.
Also, the entire Congress is NOT controlled by the Republican party, one the House of Representatives. The Senate is Democratically controlled and the House likely will be after the 2014 mid-term elections based on peoples’ disgust with the Republicans over the debt ceiling near-crisis.
Sweep Dominica
Hello if you are in the USVI and you want to travel to the mainland then you must go through (ICE) Immigration and Custom Enforcement. That will prevent you from leaving the USVI for the mainland. What I see happening is that many people will stay in the USVI and get married for their papers because its just business.
So what? You talking like you are one of them that have a US green card/passport, but you don’t ant others to have.
Trust me the US administration probably want this to happen. The Mexicans have easy access. Why can’t we?