Inspections on the rise in the BVIs

The British Virgin Islands Immigration Department is conducting heightened inspections on households of persons renewing work permits or seeking to change jobs in the territory. The department now wishes to ensure persons who are subject to immigration control are living in habitable conditions before they are approved to remain in the territory. The Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Geraldine Ritter-Freeman has said the Immigration Department will not renew permits if the department is not satisfied that applicants are living in ‘favourable’ conditions partly because of the hurricane damage wrought on the islands six months ago. What amounts to a favourable condition will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Immigration officers have been instructed to be empathetic and use discretion when evaluating each situation. The policy has been put in place as a measure to strengthen border and national security, protect work permit holders and avoid these persons becoming a burden on the government. It is also designed as a measure to stop overcrowding of premises and other abuses by unscrupulous landlords keen to take advantage of the current situation.