whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
VG country scene

Belonger Status (Long-Term Residence, Twenty Years)

British Virgin IslandsLong-term residence

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in British Virgin Islands Read the five questions ↓

What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

Accumulated long-term residence leads to Belonger Status, the recognised status of belonging to the Virgin Islands that carries rights under the law. The Immigration Board reviews the application and makes a recommendation, and Cabinet makes the final decision.

See recorded sources

What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

The long-term-residence pathway to Belonger Status requires having lived in the Virgin Islands for 20 consecutive years, having already held Residence Status for at least 12 months, being at least 18 years old, of good character, and intending to make the Virgin Islands a permanent home. The current official page does not state when the 20-year period is deemed to begin beyond "consecutive" residence.

See recorded sources

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

Applicants must meet the ordinarily resident requirement; the official page does not define which types of presence in the Territory count fully, partially or not at all toward the 20-year period.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The page does not define what counts as "ordinarily resident" for the 20-year Belonger pathway (e.g. treatment of travel, remote work, or time spent under other immigration statuses).

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

Applicants "should not be away too long during the qualifying period"; the official page does not give a specific day-count or percentage threshold for absences under this 20-year pathway.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No specific maximum-absence figure (days per year or in total) is stated for the Belonger long-term-residence pathway on the current official page.

What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

Applicants create an account on the Immigration Eforms Platform, select Application for the Grant of Status in the Virgin Islands, upload the supporting documents and submit the application; a non-refundable $250.00 application fee is required before processing. The Immigration Board reviews the application, may use a point-based system to assess eligibility and recommends to Cabinet, which makes the final decision, notified in writing. If approved, the status fee must be paid before the certificate is issued. Submitting false or altered documents is a criminal offence and may result in a $15,000.00 fine and a 7-year ban on reapplying for Belonger Status.

See recorded sources
  • chars 9867-11883
    Go to the Immigration Eforms Platform, create an account, and sign in. Select Application for the Grant of Status in the Virgin Islands and choose the status type you are applying for. Step 3. Complete the application and upload your documents Fill out all sections of the online form truthfully and upload the required supporting documents in the correct format. Review your information carefully before submitting. Step 4. Submit your application Submit the completed application. You will receive an acknowledgement confirming your submission is pending review. Step 5. Pay the application fee A non-refundable application fee of $250.00 dollars is required before your application can be processed. Contact the Department of Immigration to confirm payment options and where to pay. Step 6. Application review and decision The Immigration Board reviews your application and may use a point-based system to assess eligibility. The Board makes a recommendation to Cabinet, and Cabinet makes the final decision. Step 7. Notification of decision You will be informed in writing of Cabinet’s decision. If approved, you will receive instructions on the next steps. Step 8. Pay the status fee if approved If your application is approved, you must pay the required status fee before your certificate can be issued. The Department of Immigration will provide the amount and payment instructions based on the status granted. Step 9. Collect your certificate Once all required fees are paid and processing is completed, you will be issued the relevant certificate Title Important rules and legal notice Body You must meet the ordinarily resident requirement and should not be away too long during the qualifying period. Submitting false or altered documents is a criminal offence and may result in a $15,000.00 dollar fine and a 7-year ban on reapplying for Belonger Status. The Department of Immigration publishes an annual report of Belonger decisions and a public list of new Belongers in the Gazette.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in British Virgin Islands · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in British Virgin Islands →