The BVI Government has made a number of adjustments to its Work Permit Exemption Policy, including the ability to now apply immediately after a marriage.
This is according to the latest Cabinet post meeting statement dated August 18, which said the old Work Permit Exemption Policy was revoked and replaced by the revised policy which is now in effect since Monday August 23.
According to the Cabinet, the old policy was revoked to better reflect the government’s “evolving strategy on Immigration and Labour reform in the territory, and to streamline and reduce the illegal trends associated with Work Permit Exemption holders, relating to illegal work and movement throughout the territory.”
Under the new policy, only three categories of Work Permit Exemption will be offered.
These include exemption by marriage, exemption by education and exemption by the minister’s discretion.
Guidelines when applying under marriage
Persons applying under marriage according to Cabinet can now do so immediately following a marriage to a BVIslander or Belonger.
Once approved, the applicant will receive an exemption for a fixed period of 6 years maximum, and are notified that on the fifth year, they should submit an application for Belongership by Marriage to the Immigration Department.
Cabinet also notified persons applying under the marriage category, that the exemption will be denied if the spouse of the applicant is outside the territory. Cabinet also said that the exemption will be cancelled if an awardee changes employment, divorce or becomes legally separated, or leaves the territory for a period of 90 days or more unless given permission to do so.
Work Permit Exemptions under marriage will not be revoked if the holder has, at any time, obtained a protection order against their spouse under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2011.
Guidelines under minister’s discretion
For persons applying within the category of the Minister’s Discretion, they will not be eligible for exemption by marriage.
In addition, under this category, persons will not be allowed to change employers nor leave the territory for a period exceeding 90 days unless given permission.
Also to note, persons denied under this category will have to wait one year before reapplying under a new application.
No provisions were outlined for exemptions issued under the education category.
Meanwhile, both the new and renewal work permit exemption application fee is $100, while the new and renewal work permit exemption and card fees is $400.