BVI’s CARICOM REQUEST HIGHLIGHTS REGIONAL IMMIGRATION DEBATE

A debate about the intra-regional immigration policies of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states has been reignited with the British Virgin Islands’ (BVI) quest to seek full membership in the regional trade and integration body - but without free movement.

A statement from the office of BVI Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has confirmed that the UK Overseas Territory “will now be pursuing full membership in the regional organisation.”

According to the statement, Premier Wheatley emphasised the strategic importance of deeper engagement with CARICOM. He said: “The Virgin Islands is committed to strengthening regional ties, fostering economic growth, and contributing meaningfully to the Caribbean community. Full membership in CARICOM presents an opportunity to collaborate on trade, security, climate resilience, and education initiatives that benefit our people.”

However, it noted that while BVI is exploring full membership, the Premier clarified that the Territory will not commit to participation in the free movement of persons protocol at this stage.

The statement further noted that “negotiations have not yet begun, and the government intends to approach discussions carefully to ensure the interests of residents are fully protected.”

It lists what it describes as ‘anticipated benefits of CARICOM membership’ to include enhanced trade opportunities, collaboration on public health and education, strengthened diplomatic ties, and joint initiatives in disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

“People from over 100 different countries live and work in the Territory. Premier Wheatley sees this as a powerful asset that mirrors the diverse spirit of the Caribbean itself. He believes that by formalising this bond through full membership, the Virgin Islands can better leverage its multicultural identity to bridge gaps within the region,” it added.

The announcement of the BVI’s intention to seek full membership of CARICOM, but without freedom of movement, has triggered a wave of unofficial reactions across the region, especially via online and radio chat shows.

While many have been critical and are calling for open borders throughout the region, the issue remains thorny. Immigration policies vary across the CARICOM member states.

To date, only four of the Caricom member states have ratified freedom of movement among themselves. Just last October, Barbados, Belize, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines implemented full free movement of their nationals.

According to the CARICOM Secretariat, this means that nationals of these four countries will not be limited to temporary entry of up to six months or to work under the CARICOM skills regime. Nationals from these four countries will be able to travel to any of these four countries to reside, work and remain indefinitely, with the right to access emergency and primary health care as well as public primary and secondary education for their children.

Just recently, the government of St Kitts and Nevis, which has now assumed the chair of CARICOM, said it would not accept Haitian deportees in a deal with the United States. Haiti is a full member of Caricom.

With the BVI’s full membership request now putting the issue of free movement on the front burner of the regional integration debate, it is understood that Anguilla is also considering upgrading its status to full membership. The Caribbean UK Overseas Territories of Anguilla, BVI, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Turks and Cayman Islands are Associate members of CARICOM.

Montserrat is the only UK OT that’s a full member of the regional bloc and its sister grouping, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States(OECS).

Anguilla and the BVI are the only other regional UK OTs in the OECS, participating as Associate Members.