Under-11 Children Granted VI Visa Exemption
Cabinet has approved an order exempting children under the age of 11 who were born in the Virgin Islands to ordinarily resident parents from standard visa requirements. The measure applies to young children who do not currently hold residency or belonger status certificates under the Immigration and Passport Act. Officials noted that while the change eases administrative travel hurdles for families, it does not automatically grant citizenship or belonger status.
Cabinet has approved a targeted immigration order that exempts children under the age of 11 born in the Virgin Islands to ordinarily resident parents from mandatory entry visa requirements. The official decision, made and gazetted under the authority of section 37(4) of the Immigration and Passport Act (Revised Edition 2013), removes the visa prerequisite outlined in section 37(1) of the legislation.
The relief specifically applies to eligible young children who do not currently hold residence or belonger status certificates issued under section 16 or section 18 of the Act. Under statutory provisions, Cabinet possesses the legal authority to exempt any individual or category of persons, either permanently or for a limited duration, from specific travel document requirements, including visas.
The latest measure is specifically tailored to assist families with young children born locally to parents who are ordinarily resident in the territory but have not yet obtained formal certification under the specified sections. In practical application, qualifying children will no longer be required to secure an entry visa solely based on the general visa mandates of the Immigration and Passport Act.
However, authorities clarified that the order does not waive all immigration controls, nor does it automatically confer belonger status, citizenship, or certificates of residence. Its singular function is to remove the visa obligation for this defined group of minors. The Government has previously utilized section 37(4) exemptions to streamline travel and reduce administrative friction for other groups, including cruise ship passengers visiting the territory for 24 hours or less, as well as designated foreign nationals.
The policy adjustment addresses ongoing administrative challenges faced by local families and aligns with broader immigration discussions surrounding pathways for children born in the Virgin Islands to non-belonger parents. By removing the visa barrier, the measure aims to simplify international travel and entry procedures for households residing in the territory.
Families who believe their children may qualify for the exemption are advised to review relevant records before traveling. Parents should confirm the child's place of birth, verify their own ordinary residence status, and check whether any certificates have been issued under sections 16 or 18 of the Act to ensure smooth immigration processing.
Primary source: VINO