Caribbean nationals may soon be allowed to travel visa-free to USVI

Caribbean nationals wishing to visit the US Virgin Islands may soon no longer require a visa to do so.
The Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act which has been approved by the US Congress House Judiciary Committee, if approved by the US Congress, will make it possible for visitors from the Caribbean to receive a nonimmigrant visitor visa exemption to enter the US Virgin Islands, for up to 45 days.

A press release from the office of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a native of the US Virgin Islands who first presented to Act to the Committee for amendment in September 2021, did not state specifically which countries will benefit from the amendment. However, the scope of the amendment will be limited to the Caribbean community and other countries permitted by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Act applies only to the U.S. Virgin Islands and does not allow entry into other parts of the United States..

The amendment is similar to the limited visa waiver program which allows citizens of some countries to visit overseas US territories, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands by completing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-736 prior to arrival and presenting their country’s passport on arrival. The Visa Waiver Act is also expected to be an impetus for increased visitors and economic activity in the US island territory.

Congresswoman Plaskett, who serves on the US Congress Ways and Means Committee, stated in the news release, “This legislation would extend this same program to the U.S. Virgin Islands. This limited visa waiver program would better enable the Virgin Islands to compete economically with other islands and nations in the Caribbean community.”

The Ways and Means Committee gives recommendations to the House on all revenue-raising channels. The committee is the primary source of legislation on international trade agreements, customs, and taxation.

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10 Comments

  1. VI massive
    April 14, 2022

    People don’t get excited .This act have not passed in congress yet .The wavier was approved in congress ,but it has not been voted on as yet to say whether congress will accept the waiver or not… so Keep you all fingers crossed that congress will accept the proposal /wavier whatever you all wants to call it.All i want you all to know that it’s not in effect and have not been voted on yet, only God knows when this waiver will get any attention to be voted on, it might well take couple of years, because with everything that’s going on right now congress have more bigger fish to worry about than this waiver act.

  2. April 14, 2022

    This dont make know sense Whats so special about that country…kmt

    • joseph charles
      October 16, 2023

      everything more than DUMNICA

  3. Dominican Bwoi
    April 9, 2022

    In an ideal world, the entire Caribbean would be united & the people free to move about wherever they want with no hassle

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0
  4. magway ca
    April 9, 2022

    thats a new backdoor way to enter the united states

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 4 Thumb down 14
    • Lisa
      April 10, 2022

      How is that possible? America still have there security. How they getting to America ? If they can do it in st.Thomas, then they can do the same thing From Dominica .

  5. Tobby
    April 8, 2022

    This sounds impressive, however, I hope it is not to stop the CBI.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 9
    • BEN10
      April 10, 2022

      this is a very logical thought.. and to add insight it could also be an olive branch extended only to the none cbi countries

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