Apply for a Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence
Table of Contents
A person or entity would need to apply for a Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence (NBLHL) if they:
- Are not a Virgin Islands Belonger
- Wish to buy land, a house, or a condominium in the Virgin Islands
- Intend to receive land or property by gift or inheritance
- Want to have their name added to an existing property title
- Seek to acquire certain long-term leasehold interests in land within the Virgin Islands
- Are a company controlled by non-belongers and wish to acquire or hold an interest in land in the Virgin Islands
What You Need/Requirements Title
What You Need If Applying as an Individual
- A completed Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence (Individual) Application Form
- Trade Licence (If Self-Employed)
- Copy of the passport biography page
- Two (2) character references
- Two (2) personal references demonstrating your ability to purchase the property and undertake the proposed development or improvement. (preferably from the applicant's current banking institution, employer or financial auditor)
- One financial reference from a financial institution reflecting one consecutive year of banking practices (related to cash or cheque account only)
- One original Police Certificate
- One passport-sized photograph
What You Need/Requirements Title
What You Need If Applying As A Company
For each beneficial owner and director the following is required:
- Copy of the passport biography page
- Two (2) character references
- Two (2) personal references demonstrating your ability to purchase the property and undertake the proposed development or improvement. (preferably from the applicant's current banking institution, employer or financial auditor)
- One financial reference from a financial institution reflecting one consecutive year of banking practices (related to cash or cheque account only)
- One (1) original Police Certificate
- One (1) passport-sized photograph
What You Need/Requirements Title
What You Need if the Vendor or Purchaser Is a Company
- Copy of the company’s Annual Summary of Member, Certificate of Incumbency or Registered Agent Certificate, Register of Directors and Shareholders/Members, Certificate of Organization, Certificate of Formation, Operating Agreement
- Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Registered Office;
- Memorandum and Articles of Association;
- Good Standing Certificate;
What You Need/Requirements Title
Additional Required Documents for Both Types of Application
- A certified copy of a Valuation Report for the property;
- Copies of four (4) consecutive newspaper, online media advertisements (reflecting the name of the newspaper and the date of publication at the top of the page) and on the Government website. The information must relate to the particulars of the property;
- A letter-sized version (8½x11) of the Non-Belonger survey map reflecting the acreage, the name(s) of the adjacent landowner(s) of the property and the position of the existing fixtures on the land depicted on the specified parcel (the map can be obtained from a local licensed surveyor or the Lands and Survey Department);
- Copy of the Belonger’s notarized Birth Certificate or copy of Naturalization Certificate (applicable to the vendor who is deemed to be a Belonger);
- A notarized letter of intent from the land owner(s) who is/are desirous of adding an individual’s name (i.e. spouse or child or parent(s) or removing or relinquishing their interest in their property to another person(s) i.e. spouse or child(ren) or parent(s)) to/from their licence in consideration of ‘natural love and affection’ (applicable to the registered landowner);
- A notarized letter of intent from the director(s)/shareholder(s) who is/are desirous of relinquishing their interest in the company to another person(s);
- Proof of rental history (i.e. receipts to support the payment of accommodation taxes paid to the Government of the Virgin Islands) for a developed property, if rental permission is the desire of the applicant;
- Copy of the record to reflect land ownership of the property reflected on the application;
- Copy of the sale agreement;
- Copy of the Declaration of a Trust where applicable;
- Copy of the Registered Licence;
- Copy of the Transfer document;
- Proof of input from an architect/planner;
- Birth Certificate (for parents transferring property/adding their children to title);
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse transferring property to another spouse/adding to title);
- A copy of a recent As-Built Survey;
- Passport size picture of Vendor(s).
Title
How to Apply
- Download and complete the appropriate Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence application form for an individual or company. Attach the required supporting documents before submitting the application.
- Make sure you have gathered all required supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application and all supporting documents via email to menrcc@gov.vg. The Ministry will review the information and respond within two (2) business days. Incomplete applications will be returned if any required information or supporting documents are missing.
- Once you receive confirmation that all required information and documents are in order, submit the completed physical application, along with the applicable fees, in person to the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change (MENRCC).
- A decision will be communicated to you in writing. There is no set timeframe for approval; however, the process can take approximately two (2) to three (3) months from the date the application is received.
If your application is approved
If your application is approved, the Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence will be prepared and made available to you. You will be required to pay the applicable licence fees before collecting the licence. An official Government receipt will be issued for the payment.
Title
After your licence is issued
Where the application involves the transfer or purchase of property, additional documentation may need to be completed and registered.
The source identifies the following customer-facing activities:
- Collect the Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence
- Register the Licence with the Lands & Survey Department
- Execute the Instrument of Transfer, where applicable
- Submit the Transfer Document for stamp duty assessment
- Register the Instrument of Transfer with the Lands & Survey Department.
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Fees
Individual Application Fee - $200.00 per Applicant (Non-Refundable)
Company Application Fee - $500.00 (Non-Refundable)
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How long it takes
- Application acknowledgement: within 2 business days
- Application processing: approximately 2 to 3 months from receipt of the application
The actual time may depend on the completeness of the application and the circumstances of the transaction.
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Additional Information
Non-Belonger status
A person may be considered a non-belonger if they do not have Belonger status or another status that provides an exemption from the requirement to obtain a Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence.
If you are unsure whether you require a licence, you should confirm your status and the requirements that apply to your proposed property transaction before acquiring an interest in property.
Selling property owned by a Non-Belonger
A Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence may include requirements relating to the sale of property held under the licence.
Where a property subject to the applicable requirements is being offered for sale, the property may be required to be registered and advertised in accordance with Government requirements.
Property owners and real estate agents acting on behalf of property owners can use the Government's online property advertisement service to provide information about properties being offered for sale.
Properties advertised for sale
Properties registered for sale under the Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence requirements can be viewed through the Government of the Virgin Islands' online property sales listing.
The listing provides information about properties being offered for sale and allows interested persons to identify properties that may be available for purchase.
Advertising requirements
The advertising of applicable Non-Belonger-owned properties provides an opportunity for potential purchasers and other interested persons to become aware of properties being offered for sale.
This may include Belongers, non-belongers and other persons who are eligible to purchase property in accordance with the laws of the British Virgin Islands.
Government property listings
A property appearing on the Government's property sales listing does not mean that the Government owns or is selling the property.
The listing is an advertising and information service. The property owner remains responsible for the sale of the property and for meeting all applicable legal requirements relating to the transfer or acquisition of the property.
Licence approval
There is no standard timeframe for approval of a Non-Belonger Land Holding Licence. The time required may vary depending on the circumstances of the application and the applicable legal requirements. Applicants should ensure that all information and supporting documentation required for their application is provided.
Contact Information
Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change - Tortola
Pusser's Building, 3rd Floor
Lower Estate, Tortola VG1110
Virgin Islands
Tel: (284)468 2147 or (284) 468-2148
Email: menrcc@gov.vg