Is The British Virgin Islands Safe? 2022 Travel Advisory
Travelers not only look for beauty and serene islands but a safe spot to relax on their vacations. Read to find out if the British Virgin Islands should be your next spot.
British foreign territory, the British Virgin Islands is a group of volcanic islands in the Caribbean.It is well-known for its reef-lined beaches and as a sailing destination, and it is made up of 4 main islands and numerous smaller ones. The capital, Road Town, and the densely forested Sage Mountain National Park are both located on the largest island, Tortola. The Baths, a maze of seaside stones, are located on Virgin Gorda island. Aside from the beauty of the islands, this article will tell you about one major question every traveler is concerned about; is the British Virgin Islands safe?
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To enter or pass through the British Virgin Islands as a visitor, you must have a passport that is current and has at least six months left on it.
For more details on travel paperwork, see the section below.
The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, Taddy Bay International Airport, and Auguste George Airport are the three airports by which one can enter the BVI by flight. Through the Road Town Jetty, Soper’s Hole Dock in West End, Great Harbour in Jost Van Dyke, or Spanish Town in Virgin Gorda, you can access the area by sea.
There are no longer any testing or quarantine requirements upon arrival as of July 15.
All travelers must pay a US$50 tax ($15 departure tax, $5 security charge exit tax, and $30 airport development fee) when departing the BVI via flight. Usually, this is covered by the cost of the admission. A departure tax of US$20 per person or US$15 for locals is required if you’re leaving the BVI by ferry. A $10 environmental and tourism levy is also applied to travelers who arrive by air or sea. Continue reading the article to find out is the British Virgin Islands safe.
What Can I Expect When I Arrive?
- Travelers must provide all relevant documentation, as well as any information about their status and itinerary, to an immigration officer upon arrival.
- Visitors are also required to respond to any inquiries about their travel documents and time spent in the Virgin Islands.
Added Information
- Travelers should contact the Immigration Department in advance to request authorization to enter the Territory without a valid passport. Their request must specifically detail the circumstances surrounding their lack of a valid document, their current status (if any), and their reason for entry. To process these requests, email them to immigrationinfo@gov.vg, ipenn@gov.vg, and ndemming@gov.vg.
Check the “Entrance requirements” section for the most recent entry restrictions and requirements for the British Virgin Islands before you depart. These are subject to sudden change. Keep an eye on this advice for developments, and stay in touch with your travel company.
Should You Pass Via The British Virgin Islands On Route
When traveling from one country to another, this is referred to as transiting.
- Since July 15, there is no longer a testing requirement or need to show proof of vaccination status if you are passing through the British Virgin Islands on your way to another nation. You should, however, adhere to the requirements of the country you are visiting. On the website of the Virgin Islands government, you can get more details regarding passing through the British Virgin Islands.
- Before departing, double-check your passport and other travel documents.
- Your passport must be valid for the entire anticipated stay if you’re traveling to the British Virgin Islands.
- If you live in the British Virgin Islands, you need a passport that will be valid for at least three months after your arrival.
- Make sure your passport and other travel documents satisfy their requirements by checking with your travel company.
Visas
To visit the BVI, British people do not require a visa.
The BVI immigration authorities will often give you a one-month entrance stamp upon arrival. Additionally, you can be given a one-month extension. The Chief Immigration Officer may grant extensions for up to six months if the applicant can demonstrate independent financial means. You could be required to provide proof of your lodging as well as a travel itinerary out of the BVI.
Health Concerns While Traveling
Take into account these two factors before deciding to travel to the island:
- Read the travel health alert for COVID-19 and international travel and make sure you have received all required vaccinations and doses at least 14 days before your departure.
- Avoid non-essential travel to any locations if you have not finished your COVID-19 vaccination series.
- Travelers are reminded to take the essential precautions to avoid contracting the virus, such as hand washing and general sanitization practices. Face masks and other head coverings are no longer required by law but are instead permitted in public settings as a matter of personal preference or per the rules of a particular business or another establishment. People who are ill, fear they may have COVID-19, or who have been exposed to the virus, must be tested and should practice self-isolation for a week. If tested negative at the conclusion of the seven-day isolation period or following a full 10-day period of self-isolation without being tested, a person is free to wander around the Territory. See the testing locations below:
- Tent at Doctor D. Orlando Hospital https://althea.bvi.care/
- Terrance B Lettsome International Airport https://airport.bvi.care/
- Road Town Ferry Terminal https://rtferry.bvi.care/
- West End Ferry Terminal https://westend.bvi.care/
- Anegada Clinic https://anegada.bvi.care
- JVD Clinic https://jvdclinic.bvi.care
- Iris O’Neal Clinic (VG)Â https://irisoneal.bvi.care
Crime And Safety Concerns
Is the British Virgin Islands safe when it comes to crime?
The British Virgin Islands have very low crime rates, yet significant crimes like armed robberies and firearms crimes involving drugs do happen occasionally.
Although most trips to the BVI are trouble-free, you should nevertheless take reasonable safety precautions to protect your person and property, at the very least to the same extent as you would at home. These precautions include:Â
Exercise caution and keep a mobile phone with roaming capabilities with you;Â
- Avoid going for solitary walks in remote regions, such as beaches, especially after dark;Â
- Utilize a hotel safe if you can, but don’t carry a lot of cash or jewelry;Â
- Never leave anything of value unattended, particularly on the beach;Â
- Don’t fight back against an armed robber.Â
- Protect your passport carefully because it cannot be renewed or replaced in the British Virgin Islands.
- Always abide by local authorities’ recommendations. Call the police at 999/911 (emergencies) and 311 if you need assistance (non-emergencies)
Emergency Support
There is no official British diplomatic or consular representation in the BVI because it is a British Overseas Territory.
All requests for emergency help are handled by the local authorities.
Laws And Politics
The BVI has its own laws and is a separate legal jurisdiction from the UK.
Avoid using illicit substances, such as marijuana. Even minor amounts of possession can result in severe fines or jail time. Trafficking on drugs is a serious crime. Pack your own suitcase and never carry anything that is not yours.
Emergency And Natural Disaster Response
It is more crucial than ever to have travel insurance and make sure it offers adequate protection.Â
So, Is the British Virgin Islands safe from natural disasters?
Even though the Caribbean region is susceptible to catastrophic storms all year long, the official hurricane season lasts from June to November. Given the harm done by the hurricanes in 2017, the effects of these could be very severe.Â
You should follow local authorities’ instructions, including any orders to evacuate and keep an eye on local and global meteorological updates provided by the US National Hurricane Center. The BVI is a high-risk area for earthquakes and tsunamis since it is situated close to a significant tectonic fault line. Since the BVI is a British Overseas Territory, there is no official British diplomatic or consular representation, and all requests for emergency help are handled by the local authorities.
Season Of Hurricanes
Typically, hurricanes happen between mid-May and the end of November.
Even minor tropical storms can intensify into powerful hurricanes during this time.Â
You could be at risk from these dangerous storms, which also make it difficult to provide basic services.Â
If you choose to visit a coastal region during hurricane season, be aware that there are significant hazards to your safety.Â
- Be ready to make last-minute changes to your travel itinerary, such as shortening or canceling your trip.Â
- Keep up with the most recent regional weather forecastsÂ
- Bring the airline or tour operator’s emergency contact information with you.
KEY TAKEAWAYS ...🛪
Locally dubbed as Nature’s Little Secrets, the British Virgin Islands are without a doubt the best sailing location in the Caribbean.Â
We hope by reading this article you got your answer to Is the British Virgin Islands safe?
The BVIs are a sailor’s paradise thanks to their consistently warm weather all year round and trade winds. You’ll quickly see why we’ve fallen for them hook, line, and sinker when you consider all of the isolated bays, innumerable secret coves, lush scenery, and sunny skies. Numerous prestigious travel journals continually rank the islands as top travel destinations. There are many opportunities to find remote sites off the beaten path and investigate regions that are completely unaltered and unprepared for tourists. It’s time for you to travel to the islands and discover everything they have to offer.
Visit Kanana Caribbean for more island facts, vacation planning, sightseeing, travel deals, and upcoming events.
