Virgin Islands (BVI) Visa Policy

There are different types of visas available for the British Virgin Islands. You will be required a visa even if you are transiting through the British Virgin Islands unless you are from a visa-exempt group.

You can realize your planned trip to the British Virgin Islands by obtaining a British Virgin Islands visa. Foreign nationals can apply to British Virgin Islands short-term visas via the embassy or on arrival for temporary reasons (tourism, business, cultural, and other short-term purposes). Applications for visas will be made from outside the islands to the nearest British High Commission, Embassies/Consulates, if you are in a region where that is not possible apply to the Civil Registry and Passport Office.

Persons requiring a visa to enter or transit through the British Virgin Islands must apply to the nearest British Embassy or Consulate with a Visa Section.  

For detailed information about UK visas, you can check UK Visa Policy.

Nationals of a country requiring a British Virgin Islands visa but also holding the United Kingdom, United States of America, or a Canadian visa and visiting the Territory for work, business, tourism, and other related matters, may enter and stay for less than six (6) months. The United Kingdom, the United States, or the Canadian visa should be valid for more than six (6) months prior to travel to the Territory and should only be valid for visits of six months or less.

Travelers entering the BVI, which includes UK citizens, must have a valid passport and, if necessary, a valid visa to enter the Virgin Islands. It is not a requirement to hold a passport with a period of at least six months until the date of entry has expired.

Bona Fide visitors may be granted entry at ports of entry for a period of up to one month, provided that they have:

• Return (or on-going) tickets
• Evidence of appropriate means of support and
• Pre-arranged accommodation during their stay

Persons wishing to extend their stay by up to six months will have to apply for an extension by contacting the Department of Immigration in Road Town.

You can check your eligibility through this website  (official government website)

BVI Ports of Entry

Ports of entry are located at Tortola in Road Town and West End, at Virgin Gorda in Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, and at Jost Van Dyke in Great Harbour

All vessels entering the territory must clear customs and immigration to BVI immediately upon arrival in the territory. Customs and Immigration offices are located at Tortola in Road Town and West End, at Virgin Gorda in Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, and at Jost Van Dyke in Great Harbour. Customs and immigration clearances are available at all ports of entry.

Required documents include: ship papers and valid passports for all crew members and passengers from their country of origin; U.S. and Canadian citizens will need a passport or an original or notarized copy of their birth certificate and photo ID in order to enter the BVI. To re-enter the U.S. or Canada, you will need a passport OR a photo ID and a State Department official proof of passport application or a passport receipt. Visitors from some countries may also require an entry visa.

You can apply for a British Virgin Islands Visa for realizing your temporary travel to the British Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands Visa applications will be made from outside the islands to the nearest British High Commission, Embassies/Consulates, or to the Civil Registry and Passport Office.

Required Documents for British Virgin Islands Visa

1. Application Form

• Fully completed in English and signed and dated by the applicant himself (signed by both parents in case of minors, below the age of 18)

2. Passport

• Validity minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from the British Virgin Islands.
• Signed by bearer
• Passport not older than 10 years (issued in the last 10 years)
• At least one or two free “visa pages”
• Undamaged pictures securely affixed with/to passport

3. Two Photos

• NEW! Should not be older than 6 months.
• A frontal view of the face-covering 70-80% (32-26mm) of the photo.
• A uniform and white background.
• Clear facial features and eyes – not covered by hair or glasses frame.
• 45 x 35 mm size

4. Residence Permit/ Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

5. Photocopies

• Copy of the main page of your passport
• 1 copy of residence permit/visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)
• Copies of previous visas

6. Travel Itinerary 

• Flight reservation (return ticket must be included)
• Valid (existing) hotel/accommodation booking/reservation with the full address (name, street, city, zip code, contact information, booking ref.)

7. Any Other Document(s) That May Be Required Upon Request and Relevant to the Type of Visa.

8. For Minors:

• Copy and English translation of either birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced/death certificate of parent
• Letter of consent from parent/s or legal guardian/s, if traveling unaccompanied

*Additional documents can be required.

Processing Time for British Virgin Islands Visa

The average processing time for a British Virgin Islands Visa is 3-14 business days. It depends on your Visa application country.

British Virgin Islands Visa Fee

British Virgin Islands fee is 175 USD (it can vary depending on your country and nationality). Additionally, you may also need to pay other such as the Visa Application center fee, administrative fees courier service fee, etc., depending on the country and location of your documents' submission.

Where to Apply for a British Virgin Islands Visa?

You will apply for a British Virgin Islands Visa at the Civil Registry and Passport Office, in UK visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence or on arrival. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.