The Government of the Virgin Islands is actively engaging with the United States to explore a resolution regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance for travellers entering the territory.
Minister for Communication and Works, Hon. Kye Rymer, confirmed ongoing discussions during a recent community meeting on Virgin Gorda.
What Is Preclearance?
CBP Preclearance involves strategically stationing U.S. CBP personnel at foreign airports to inspect travellers bound for the United States before they board their flights. Travellers who pass Preclearance bypass CBP and TSA inspections upon arrival in the U.S., allowing them to proceed directly to their connecting flights or final destinations.
CBP currently operates Preclearance at 15 locations in six countries, including Ireland, Aruba, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. Minister Rymer noted that establishing a similar facility in the Virgin Islands would address concerns raised by travellers and enhance the travel experience.
During the meeting, former Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Shereen Flax-Charles, shared a personal account of U.S. travellers experiencing lengthy delays.
In response, Hon. Rymer acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with U.S. authorities and highlighted the significant cost implications of implementing Preclearance in the Virgin Islands.
The introduction of Preclearance would streamline travel for U.S. passengers and strengthen the Virgin Islands’ appeal as a tourism destination. While negotiations continue, the government remains focused on finding a feasible solution to reduce delays and improve the overall travel experience for visitors to the territory.