This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary (consular assistance figures). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Travel Summary
- The hurricane season in the British VirginIslands normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and tropical cyclones page of the FCO Website for more details.
- There is one confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in the British Virgin Islands. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the Department of Disaster Management. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.
- The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a British Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation in the BVI and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance. 7 British nationals required consular assistance in the British Virgin Islands in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (2 cases); hospitalisations (3 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (0 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (0 cases). See the General (Consular assistance) section of this travel advice gives you more information about this.
- The crime rate is low, but you should take sensible precautions against petty crime.
- You should ensure your safety at sea and on the roads. See the Road and Sea Travel sections of this advice for more details.
- There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see terrorism abroad.
Crime
Although the crime rate is very low, you should take sensible precautions against petty crime. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use hotel safety deposit facilities to safeguard valuables and travel documents. Never leave anything valuable unattended on the beach.
For more general information see victims of crime abroad.
Political situation
Local travel
There are regular ferry services between Tortola and its sister islands of Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke, and also to the US Virgin Islands.
Road travel
Driving conditions can be hazardous, due to steep and narrow mountain roads, and poor driving standards.
Self-drive cars can be hired locally; a temporary driving permit or a local driving licence is required before driving. Cars are left-hand drive, and vehicles drive on the left as in the UK. Standard taxi fares exist for most destinations, but it is sensible to clarify the fare with the driver beforehand.
Self-drive cars can be hired locally; a temporary driving permit or a local driving licence is required before driving. Cars are left-hand drive, and vehicles drive on the left as in the UK. Standard taxi fares exist for most destinations, but it is sensible to clarify the fare with the driver beforehand.
For more general information see driving abroad.
Sea travel
The majority of visitors to the BVI participate in some form of water sports activities. The rate of accidents in and on the water is very low, but they do occur. Take care not to over-exert yourself, particularly if you are unaccustomed to swimming in the open sea or are unfit. Many accidents involve the consumption of alcohol to some degree. Fear and dehydration exaggerate the effects of alcohol, so care should be taken if you, or someone you know, have been drinking. Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) respond to emergencies at sea.
Local laws and customs
You should not have any involvement with illegal drugs, including marijuana. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to large fines or imprisonment. Drug trafficking is a serious offence. You should pack all your luggage yourself and you should not carry items that do not belong to you.
You should observe the customs regulations on the importation and exportation of agricultural products and the protection of marine and animal life. There are a number of marine and animal specimens that may not be taken from the island. If in doubt you should check with the local customs authorities prior to the purchase, importation or exportation of such items.
Recreational or commercial fishing without the correct permit carries steep penalties. A temporary permit can be obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour or the Department of Conservation & Fisheries:
Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour
Administration Complex
Road Town
Tortola
Tel: (284) 468-3701 ext 2147
Fax: (284) 494-2499
Department of Conservation and Fisheries,
The Quastisky Building
PO Box 3323
Road Town, Tortola.
Tel: (284) 494-5681/3429 or (284) 468-3701 ext 5555/1
Fax: (284) 494-2670
Spear fishing is not permitted in the BVI. The use of SCUBA equipment to capture or remove any marine animal or coral is against the law. Fishing within the boundaries of any marine park is strictly forbidden.
For those returning to the UK, please observe the UK Customs and Excise rules on the illegal importation of meat and animal products.
You should observe the customs regulations on the importation and exportation of agricultural products and the protection of marine and animal life. There are a number of marine and animal specimens that may not be taken from the island. If in doubt you should check with the local customs authorities prior to the purchase, importation or exportation of such items.
Recreational or commercial fishing without the correct permit carries steep penalties. A temporary permit can be obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour or the Department of Conservation & Fisheries:
Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour
Administration Complex
Road Town
Tortola
Tel: (284) 468-3701 ext 2147
Fax: (284) 494-2499
Department of Conservation and Fisheries,
The Quastisky Building
PO Box 3323
Road Town, Tortola.
Tel: (284) 494-5681/3429 or (284) 468-3701 ext 5555/1
Fax: (284) 494-2670
Spear fishing is not permitted in the BVI. The use of SCUBA equipment to capture or remove any marine animal or coral is against the law. Fishing within the boundaries of any marine park is strictly forbidden.
For those returning to the UK, please observe the UK Customs and Excise rules on the illegal importation of meat and animal products.
For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals do not need visas to visit the BVI. It is normal practice for BVI Immigration to issue you with a one-month entry stamp on arrival. You can then apply for an extension for up to six months. You may be required to provide evidence (e.g. an onward ticket) of your plans to leave the BVI at the end of your stay.
If you are not a British national, you may need a visa to visit the BVI. For more information, you should contact the Identity and Passport Service at the Home Office on 020 7901 2334 from 1000 to 1600 GMT (Mon-Fri), or the BVI Government Visa Unit.
Visa Unit
Civil Registry & Passport Office
Central Administration Complex
Road Town
Tortola
BVI
Tel: + 1 284 494 3701 ext 3035
Fax: + 1 284 494 4435
Email: BVIvisas@gov.vg_or_sbenn@gov.vg
All other immigration matters, including work permits, should be directed to the BVI authorities.
If you are not a British national, you may need a visa to visit the BVI. For more information, you should contact the Identity and Passport Service at the Home Office on 020 7901 2334 from 1000 to 1600 GMT (Mon-Fri), or the BVI Government Visa Unit.
Visa Unit
Civil Registry & Passport Office
Central Administration Complex
Road Town
Tortola
BVI
Tel: + 1 284 494 3701 ext 3035
Fax: + 1 284 494 4435
Email: BVIvisas@gov.vg_or_sbenn@gov.vg
All other immigration matters, including work permits, should be directed to the BVI authorities.
Immigration Department
Chief Immigration Officer
Government Offices
Road Town
Tortola
BVI
Tel: 001 284 494-3471 or 001 284 468-3701 ext 4700/4770
Government Offices
Road Town
Tortola
BVI
Tel: 001 284 494-3471 or 001 284 468-3701 ext 4700/4770
Fax: 001 284 494-4399
Labour Department
Geneva Place
Road Town
Tortola
BVI
Tel: 001 284 468 3701 ext 4708-4713 or 001 284 494 3451
Fax: 001 284 494 3027
Passport validity
All persons entering the BVI must have a valid passport with at least six months left on it.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.
Health
There is one confirmed human case of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in the British Virgin Islands. You can check for updates on the number ofcases and their location throught the British Virgin Islands'Department of Disaster Management at www.bviddm.com. The World HealthOrganisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the Department of Health website.
There is only one hospital in the BVI and medical facilities are limited. Complex medical problems are frequently referred to hospitals in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or the mainland USA. The US visa waiver scheme does not apply to one-off charter flights. Special arrangements have to be made for any non-US visa holder who is medically evacuated by charter flight.
The dengue mosquito is found in BVI, and you should take normal precautions against mosquito bites.
There is no hyperbaric chamber in the BVI. Patients requiring treatment for decompression illness are transferred to St John, US Virgin Islands. Most sensitive medical cases are transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to BVI and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
A (H1N1) – Swine Flu
There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in the British Virgin Islands. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the British Virgin Islands' Department of Disaster Management at www.bviddm.com. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
There is only one hospital in the BVI and medical facilities are limited. Complex medical problems are frequently referred to hospitals in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or the mainland USA. The US visa waiver scheme does not apply to one-off charter flights. Special arrangements have to be made for any non-US visa holder who is medically evacuated by charter flight.
The dengue mosquito is found in BVI, and you should take normal precautions against mosquito bites.
There is no hyperbaric chamber in the BVI. Patients requiring treatment for decompression illness are transferred to St John, US Virgin Islands. Most sensitive medical cases are transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to BVI and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
A (H1N1) – Swine Flu
There are confirmed cases of A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in the British Virgin Islands. You can check for updates on the number of cases and their location through the British Virgin Islands' Department of Disaster Management at www.bviddm.com. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
Natural disasters
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical Cyclones.
The BVI has experienced several minor earthquakes in recent years and also susceptible to flooding.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover repatriation costs to the USA and medical treatment while there. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see travel insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is how we can help.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is how we can help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
Consular assistance
The Governor’s Office will assist British nationals in genuine emergencies wherever possible, but this does not cover the full range of consular services.
Renewing or replacing your Passport
You should take particular care to safeguard British passports as these cannot be renewed or replaced in BVI. You should report the theft or loss of a British passport immediately to the police (from whom a written report must be obtained). In a genuine emergency, the BVI Civil Registry and Passport Office (+1 284 494-3701 ext 3035/3036) may be able to issue an Emergency Travel Document (not valid for travel through the United States of America).
From 3 August 2009, residents of the British Virgin Islands, including first passport issues, who wish to apply for a passport should do so by sending their applications by courier or registered post to the UK Passport Service Centre in Washington D.C. This will be the new passport production centre for the British Virgin Islands and the region.
The mailing address is:
The UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean
British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008
USA
Further information, guidance and copies of application forms can be obtained online at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk or www.ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk.
This change does not affect applications for British Overseas Territories Citizen passports, which will continue to be processed by the Civil Registry and Passport Office as before.
From 3 August 2009, residents of the British Virgin Islands, including first passport issues, who wish to apply for a passport should do so by sending their applications by courier or registered post to the UK Passport Service Centre in Washington D.C. This will be the new passport production centre for the British Virgin Islands and the region.
The mailing address is:
The UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean
British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008
USA
Further information, guidance and copies of application forms can be obtained online at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk or www.ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk.
This change does not affect applications for British Overseas Territories Citizen passports, which will continue to be processed by the Civil Registry and Passport Office as before.
Departure tax
There is a 15 US Dollars departure tax and 5 US Dollars security charge (per person) payable on leaving the BVI by air, and a 5 US Dollar security charge (per person) payable on leaving the BVI by sea.
