Govt Urged to Simplify E-Immigration Form
Radio hosts and travellers are urging the Government to review and simplify the BVI’s digital embarkation and disembarkation form after reports of users being forced to restart submissions, failing photo verification and struggling with connectivity. Introduced on January 1, 2025 to replace paper forms, the system must balance border-security data collection with a smoother arrival experience for residents and visitors.
Calls are growing for the Government to review and simplify the British Virgin Islands’ digital embarkation and disembarkation form after repeated reports of travellers encountering problems completing the online process. On the Talking Points radio programme, hosts Violet Gaul, Elvin Grant and Damion Grange said passengers have been left rushing to complete the form on arrival, with some forced to start over when the system times out.
Gaul described instances in which a submitted photograph was rejected by the identity verification process, forcing users to repeat steps. "Sometimes you fill it out, you get to the end, and it cuts you off, and then you’ve got to start all over again," Gaul said. Grant said he had seen groups of arriving passengers struggling to complete the form while waiting to clear immigration, and noted that limited internet access at terminals compounds the problem. "It’s not a very good visitor experience," he added.
Grange acknowledged the value of collecting information for border security and tourism planning but questioned whether the current, elaborate form is the only way to obtain necessary data. He urged officials to consider alternative methods that would preserve data collection while improving ease of travel.
The digital Embarkation and Disembarkation Card system replaced paper forms on January 1, 2025 after a pilot exercise in October 2024. Travellers may complete the form up to 72 hours before travel or upon arrival, but must submit it before seeking entry from an immigration officer.
For BVI residents and businesses that rely on tourism, the issues raise reputational and operational concerns. Friction at arrival points can slow passenger flow, frustrate visitors and create added pressure on frontline staff. Efficient arrival processing is also important for local tourism operators, ferry services and airport handling agents who need predictable turnaround times.
Practical measures the Government could consider include a user-experience review of the form, simplified fields, clearer instructions and error messages, an offline or low-data submission option, improved kiosk or staff assistance at ports, and bolstered Wi-Fi or mobile coverage at terminals.
Any redesign should preserve essential data for security and planning while reducing steps that cause abandonment and delay. Officials have not yet responded publicly to the latest calls for reform. Residents and travel-sector stakeholders say a timely review would protect both border integrity and the territory’s reputation for welcoming visitors.
Primary source: BVI News