USVI Travel Portal has been Discontinued for Traveling to the USVI from the States
Updated: Jun 14, 2022
A bit of stress has been removed prior to your travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands! No more USVI travel portal, no more anxiously awaiting a green QR approval code to get on a plane, no more scrambling for COVID tests before our travel days. Today, the USVI has its doors open for all domestic travelers from the USA without restriction.
On the 25th of May, USVI Governor Albert Bryan released an Executive Order declaring that the US Virgin Islands will transition into an “Open Door Phase” of the territory’s COVID-19 response. This cancels all domestic travel restrictions, including the requirement of a COVID-19 test or Proof of Vaccination to be uploaded to the USVI Travel Portal prior to travel into the territory.
This does not change any of the foreign travel policies, namely those policies applying to travel between the USVI and BVI.
The current protocol for traveling into the BVI / British Virgin Islands is as follows:
Fully Vaccinated: Test within 48 hours of arrival or pay $50 to test upon arrival.
Unvaccinated: Test within five days of arrival and test upon arrival in the territory.
To enter the USVI from the BVI (or any other foreign port):
By Plane: Tests must be taken within 24 hours of travel and all travelers must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status.
By Boat: Tests must be taken within 5 days of travel and all travelers must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status.
The above information was taken from the BVI.gov Travel Requirements and the USVI Travel Portal, respectively. Any and all international travel DOES still require the completion of the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal and/or the USVI Travel Portal.
Important to Know: Private charter boats in the USVI are still not traveling into the BVI for day trips or overnight charters. This has been hard to accept and understand for many people who've been accustomed to hopping between the two territories for many years...including us!
Bottom Line: To visit the BVI, it is still best to book a yacht that is based there and travel by air or ferry. Updated on June 13, 2022: Travelers that present a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than 48 hours before arrival and providing satisfactory evidence of being fully vaccinated shall: not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival; and be allowed to move freely within the Territory subject to adherence to COVID-19 enactments and protocols, including physical distancing protocols, wearing of masks and sanitization measures.
For inquiring minds: Here's a list of what professionally crewed and licensed charter yachts based in the USVI are required to have in order to visit the BVI with guests onboard:
Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR) Letter of Recognition via Safety Inspection for Blue/Yellow Code
Charter Authorization
Commercial/Recreational Vessel License
Trade License for Individual/Company – This application must be used and be accompanied by the following documents:
One Passport size photograph (owner of vessel)
Boat Registration Certificate (From USVI or country of origin)
Commercial Operating Insurance
Photo Or Brochure/Description of boat
Charter Operational Plan:
Intended charter operation (day, trip, term charter) include a map of iteniary.
Is it for a season or a short period?
VISR Letter of Recognition
USVI or country of origin Vessel registration
Vessel Insurance
Copy of Captain’s License(s)
Valid STCW Basic for ALL crew members- Yes, that is Captains too.
Passport bio page for all crew (signature and photo pages)
Safety Certificate (VISR Letter of Recognition from above)
For persons not having Belongers (BVI resident) status, two character references, a statement of financial ability and police record must be submitted.
The Trade License must be redone, not renewed, every three months and two weeks prior to expiration at $200 per issuance. ($800 annually if operating year round)
Commercial Recreational Vessel License (CRVL) – This application must be submitted with the following supporting documents.
Charter Operational Plan (see above)
Agreement between the boat owner and operator/charter company
Trade License
Charter Authorization Letter
And afterward that list is completed, these items must be renewed each year:
Work Permit- A five page application for the work permit with the following documents:
One Passport sized photo
Cover letter to the Commissioner explaining the need for the employee
CRVL
Trade License
Charter Operational Plan
Signature page and bio page of Passport
Job Description
VISR Letter of Recognition for STCW and Captain’s Licenses
To be submitted to Department of Labour and Workforce in the Ashley Ritter Building in Road Town with a $50 application fee and additional expediting fee (where applicable).
Processing time: 14 working days without expedite fee or seven working days with the added $150 per application
Police Certificate/Background Check
Medical Exam- BVI Medical Examination Form filled out by a certified entity– The examination is comprehensive and requires x-rays, urinalysis and blood work among other things.
Results of Background Check
Completed Medical Examination Form
Copy of applicant’s bio page of passport
Copy of Charter Operational Plan
About Us-Your Charter Yacht Brokers: Capt. Randy & Shelly Tucker!
We do not sell yachts like many other agencies so there is no conflict or distraction in our focus for your yacht charter. Our service is free to you. We travel extensively to boat shows and yacht charter shows year-round to personally view and inspect as many of the yachts.
6 Reasons Why We are Qualified: 1. As Members of the Charter Yacht Brokers Association and the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Yacht League, we maintain contact with the yachts to keep abreast of the very latest information on crew/yacht conditions and new yachts entering the arena.
2. We stay on top of local and Federal Governments to keep informed about changes in our industry, as well as involve ourselves with the changes in the environment in which we offer charters.
3. We engage in open dialogue with local publications to help keep the government and the public aware of this important industry in our islands.
4. We attend multiple charter yacht industry shows in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, go aboard each of the yachts, meet the crews, attend association meetings and seminars. We'll happily share our notes about changes to the boats and crews and confirm any newly added features and upgrades as well as re-fits to the boat’s decor like new carpets, interior and exterior soft goods & fun new water toys.
5. As a seasoned charter yacht Owner & Crew, we have access to the "inner circle" and know all the insider facts. 6. We've developed a longtime friendship with vendors of services such as local taxi drivers, ferry companies, good places to stay on land, great restaurants, and much more.
