The Government of the Virgin Islands is set to officially announce the removal of the existing visa requirement for Guyanese nationals travelling to the territory, marking a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Guyana.
The announcement will be made during a press conference scheduled for Monday, September 30, led by Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley and Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna Smith, according to information received from the Office of the Premier.
This move comes after Deputy Premier Smith initially revealed plans to lift the visa requirement during a trade mission visit to Guyana in August 2023. The announcement was shared in an interview with Guyanese media outlet, News Room, sparking anticipation of the potential changes.
Premier Wheatley also addressed the planned visa waiver earlier this year, in February, during an interview with Guyana’s National Communications Network (NCN). He revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was being drafted between the two governments to formalize the visa waiver and outline the terms and conditions of this new arrangement.
Premier Wheatley emphasized that the existing visa requirement has been a barrier to fostering a closer BVI-Guyana relationship. The lifting of this restriction is expected to ease travel for Guyanese nationals, promote stronger trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges, and encourage greater collaboration between the two countries.
The upcoming press conference is expected to provide further details on the new visa-free arrangement, which signifies an important milestone in the diplomatic and economic relations between the Virgin Islands and Guyana.