Governor Daniel Pruce has officially signed into law the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2024, which introduces new pathways to Residence Status for children, including those born in the Virgin Islands to non-belonger parents.
Signed on November 1, the legislation also addresses the requirements for Residence and Belonger Status, establishes transparent guidelines for awarding status, and sets up a defined process for managing immigration quotas.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley heralded the amendment as a crucial advancement towards a more transparent and accountable immigration framework.
“The Act addresses key recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry and sets clear guidelines for granting residence and Belonger status,” Premier Wheatley stated. “These amendments will allow us to better manage the growth and development of our Territory while safeguarding the interests of our people.”
The Act includes a focus on data-driven governance, mandating that government entities collect and analyze information on population trends, labor market conditions, and housing availability. This data will support informed decision-making for sustainable development in the territory.
Under the new law, the Board of Immigration will play a key role in shaping immigration policy, with the responsibility of recommending annual immigration quotas to Cabinet. These quotas will be guided by the territory’s capacity to accommodate population growth and the needs of current residents.