Apply for Belonger Status through Immigration

Immigration eForms Platform
Immigration Status

Table of Contents

Main pathways to Belonger Status

Through long-term residence

You may qualify if you:

  • Are at least 18 years old
  • Are of good character
  • Have held Residence Status for at least 12 months
  • Have lived in the Virgin Islands for 20 consecutive years
  • Intend to make the Virgin Islands your permanent home
     

Through family connection

  • A great-grandchild of a Belonger may apply.
  • A spouse of a Belonger may apply after living together in the Virgin Islands for at least 5 years unless disqualified by a serious criminal conviction.
  • If the Belonger spouse dies before 5 years, the surviving spouse may still qualify if they lived together in the Territory for at least 2 and a half years before the death.
  • A spouse who becomes a Belonger through marriage cannot pass Belonger Status to a new spouse.
     

Through exceptional circumstances

  • Cabinet may grant Belonger Status to someone who has lived in the Virgin Islands for at least 7 years if the case is considered exceptional.
  • Cabinet may also grant Belonger Status without application to someone who has made significant and consistent contributions to the Territory’s development for 50 years or more.

Requirements for Belonger Status by tenure

  • Personal Statement – A short letter where you explain why you are applying for Belonger Status and confirm your intention to make the Virgin Islands your permanent home.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $250.
  • One recent passport-size photograph (must meet BVI or UK passport photo standards).
  • Certified copy of your Birth Certificate.
  • Certified copy of your passport information page.
  • Valid local (BVI) Police Certificate (issued within the last 6 months).
  • Immigration Medical Certificate (issued within the last 6 months, must include details of communicable diseases).
  • Certificate of Completion in Virgin Islands History and Culture Course (H. Lavity Stoutt Community College).
  • Proof of English proficiency (only if English is not your first language or you are not fluent).
     
  • Two Character References:
    • Must be from a Virgin Islander (known you 5+ years, age 25+) OR a Belonger (same rules, must have held Belonger status for 5+ years).
    • Cannot be from a family member, employer, or Member of the House of Assembly.
       
  • Proof of contributions to the Virgin Islands community (letters, documents, or certificates from local organisations showing service, volunteer work, leadership roles, sponsorships, etc.).
  • Certified copies of your academic, skilled, unskilled, or professional qualifications (local certificates do not need certification).
  • Copies of local Trade Licences or Business Directorship Register (if applicable).
  • Copies of Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence(s), land transfers, and proof of investment (if you own property in the Territory).
     
  • Letter(s) from all local financial institutions where you hold accounts, showing:
    • Current balance,
    • Average balance over the last 3 years,
    • All credit information (debts, loans, mortgages).
       
  • Job letter or income letter showing your total annual earnings (salary, bonuses, allowances, commissions, etc.).

Requirements for Legally married spouses of Belongers living together in the Virgin Islands for years

  • Personal Statement – A short letter where you explain why you are applying for Belonger Status and confirm your intention to make the Virgin Islands your permanent home.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $250.
  • One recent passport-size photo (must meet BVI/UK standards).
  • Certified copy of your Birth Certificate.
  • Certified copy of your passport information page.
  • Certified copy of your Marriage Certificate.
  • Proof that you and your spouse have been living together in the Virgin Islands as husband and wife for at least 5 years.
  • Valid local (BVI) Police Certificate (issued within the last 6 months).
  • Immigration Medical Certificate (issued within the last 6 months, including communicable disease screening).
  • Certificate of Completion in Virgin Islands History and Culture Course (H. Lavity Stoutt Community College).
  • Proof of English proficiency (only if English is not your first language or you are not fluent).
     
  • Two Character References:
    • From a Virgin Islander or Belonger (25+ years old, known you for 5+ years, Belonger must have held status at least 5 years).
    • Cannot be a family member, employer, or Member of the House of Assembly.
       
  • Proof of contributions to the Virgin Islands community (letters, certificates, or documents showing service, volunteer work, leadership roles, etc.).
     
  • Certified copies of your academic, skilled, unskilled, or professional qualifications (local certificates do not need certification).
     
  • Letters from all local banks where you hold accounts, showing:
    • Current balance,
    • Average balance for the last 3 years,
    • Credit information (debts, loans, mortgages).
       
  • Job letter or income letter showing your total annual earnings (salary, allowances, commissions, bonuses, etc.).

Requirements for Legally married spouses of Belongers who lived in the Virgin Islands for years before their spouse’s death

  • Personal Statement – A short letter where you explain why you are applying for Belonger Status and confirm your intention to make the Virgin Islands your permanent home.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $250.
  • One recent passport-size photo (must meet BVI/UK standards).
  • Certified copy of your Birth Certificate.
  • Certified copy of your passport information page.
  • Certified copy of your Marriage Certificate.
  • Proof that you and your spouse lived together in the Virgin Islands as husband and wife for at least 5 years
  • Death Certificate of your spouse
  • Valid local (BVI) Police Certificate (issued within the last 6 months).
  • Immigration Medical Certificate (issued within the last 6 months, including communicable disease screening).
  • Certificate of Completion in Virgin Islands History and Culture Course (H. Lavity Stoutt Community College).
  • Proof of English proficiency (only if English is not your first language or you are not fluent).
     
  • Two Character References:
    • From a Virgin Islander or Belonger (25+ years old, known you for 5+ years, Belonger must have held status at least 5 years).
    • Cannot be a family member, employer, or Member of the House of Assembly.
       
  • Proof of contributions to the Virgin Islands community (letters, certificates, or documents showing service, volunteer work, leadership roles, etc.).
     
  • Certified copies of your academic, skilled, unskilled, or professional qualifications (local certificates do not need certification).
     
  • Letters from all local banks where you hold accounts, showing:
    • Current balance,
    • Average balance for the last 3 years,
    • Credit information (debts, loans, mortgages).
       
  • Job letter or income letter showing your total annual earnings (salary, allowances, commissions, bonuses, etc.).

Requirements for Persons with Belonger Ancestry (great-grandparent)

If you are applying through descent (your great-grandparent was a Belonger), you must submit:

  • Personal Statement – A short letter where you explain why you are applying for Belonger Status and confirm your intention to make the Virgin Islands your permanent home.
  • Non-refundable application fee of $250.
  • One recent passport-size photo (must meet BVI/UK standards).
  • Certified copy of your Birth Certificate.
  • Certified copy of your passport information page.
  • Certified copies of the relevant Birth Certificates linking you to your parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent (to show the family line).
  • Proof of Belonger Status of the great-grandparent (e.g., Belonger certificate, naturalisation certificate, or other official proof).
  • Valid local (BVI) Police Certificate (issued within the last 6 months).
  • Immigration Medical Certificate (issued within the last 6 months, including communicable disease screening).
  • Certificate of Completion in Virgin Islands History and Culture Course (H. Lavity Stoutt Community College).
  • Proof of English proficiency (only if English is not your first language or you are not fluent).
  • Two Character References:
    • From a Virgin Islander or Belonger (25+ years old, known you for 5+ years, Belonger must have held status at least 5 years).
    • Cannot be a family member, employer, or Member of the House of Assembly.
  • Proof of contributions to the Virgin Islands community (letters, certificates, or documents showing service, volunteer work, leadership roles, etc.).
  • Certified copies of your academic, skilled, unskilled, or professional qualifications (local certificates do not need certification).
  • Letters from all local banks where you hold accounts, showing:
    • Current balance,
    • Average balance for the last 3 years,
    • Credit information (debts, loans, mortgages).
  • Job letter or income letter showing your total annual earnings (salary, allowances, commissions, bonuses, etc.).

How to Apply

Step 1. Prepare your documents

Gather the required documents for the type of status you are applying for and ensure documents are certified where required. Police and medical certificates must be issued within the last 6 months.

Step 2. Create an account and start your online application

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

Important rules and legal notice

  • 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.

Evidence to support your application

You should provide evidence showing strong integration, long-term contribution, good character, financial stability, community participation, and respect for culture and diversity. Examples include letters, certificates, business and employment records, bank references, and proof of community impact.

Contact Information

Department of Immigration - Tortola

Immigration Headquarters
Second Floor, RJT Edifice Building
Road Town, Tortola
Virgin Islands (British) VG1110

Tel:

  • 284-468-4700/4705 (Tortola Headquarters)
  • 284-468-6439 (TBLIA- Beef Island)
  • 284-468-5193 (Waterfront Ferry Terminal)
  • 284-468-4065 (Sopher's Hole Ferry Terminal)

Email

 

 

Department of Immigration - Virgin Gorda

St. Thomas Bay 
Valley, Virgin Gorda

284-468-6520/6590 (Virgin Gorda Headquarters)

Email:

Department of Immigration - Jost Van Dyke

Great Harbour
Jost Van Dyke

284-468-4040 (JVD Immigration Office)

Email