TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Entry and exit service

Has anyone used a service to do the paperwork for the entry portal ? With the consent change of the requirements for testing , documentation , etc... Was considering using a third party service for a crew of 8

I will be watching this thread...

While I think I could navigate the process, it would be so reassuring to have an expert leading us thru it.

Having done it personally for 8 I would be glad to delegate that and get my root canal elsewhere...

For what it's worth, the process has improved. The immigration information page has been removed along with the customs information.

I filled out the BVI portal yesterday for 2 vaccinated residents. It required 4 uploads (passport, vaccination card front, vaccination card back, and test results) and 10 minutes/person. I think it was a total of 4 pages of information. For visitors, I think there are 2 additional uploads (insurance and accommodation info). For vaccinated travelers, the approval is going to become automated to eliminate the back and forth; I'm not sure if this has happened yet.

Will update with timing once I see the approval.

A automated process would be a big improvement. Having a 7 AM flight to the BVI and no approvals at 8pm the night before does not make for a stress free start to a vacation.

I was finished with the first leg of my flight before I received approval in May. Hoping for quicker approval next month!

I submitted the BVI Gateway applications for 2 vaccinated travelers at 4:47 and 4:57pm on Monday. Received both approvals Tuesday @ 12:37pm, less than 20 hours later and 4 days prior to departure.

Seems like the automated approval is probably in place and working.

I should also note, I used the proctored BinaxNow tests from eMed.com taken on Monday afternoon for a Saturday arrival.

Jason,

Very curious to see how this works for you. Please keep us posted.

Nothing left to post. I took the test Monday at 4:30, submitted my application at 4:47, and was approved today at 12:37pm.

I guess I mean that I want to make sure you get all the way through...as in landed in Tortola without any problems. Now that the portal is automated it might take a few days for someone to figure out which test you used...or it might work. Everything I have read says they don't accept the Binax Now even through eMed but maybe it is different now or maybe you will be different since you are a resident.

I have talked to several people (residents and visitors) that have used it. Even the CVS test isn't listed as approved but it seems like most US travelers are using that one for rapid antigen.

Will let you know what happens on Saturday but I don't expect any issues. The certificate issued with the eMed test has the CLIA stamp on it and that's one of the certifications that the BVI has said they will accept.

Awesome! I will be so stoked if we can use these instead of going somewhere. Thanks for keeping us updated!

Note that the 6 packs of tests are available from eMed.com. Optum.com sells packs of 2 or 3 tests if you don't see a need for 6.

Also, be aware the tests do have an expiration date - make sure they will not expire before you need to use them!

The eMed test expirations were extended for 90 days from what's marked on the package so don't throw out anything too early.

Also, keep in mind I used the eMed tests for my entry to the United States requirement with no issues.

The link provided with the eMed tests we received says that they are good for 12 months.

That would be awesome. The packages I received in August had an October 3rd expiration on the actual box. But then the website indicated they were actually extended for 90 days.

I guess they changed it recently. The boxes we have will have expired by the time we need to use them. But the letter they provided (maybe from the FDA, can’t remember) says 12 months.

Where do you find the expiration date on the box? I don't see it on the outside. Is it maybe once you open it?

Our boxes don’t specifically say expiration date, but there are two dates that I assumed were the manufactured date and the expiration date,

Expiration date is next to an hourglass on the outside of the box.

Maybe portal a thing of the past for vaccinated travelers

https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=33112

That is great news!!!

Just in time!!!

When are you going back my friend?

We leave Nov 12. One night on Tortola and then Anegada from Nov 13 to Nov 21. First trip back since Nov '19. We are more than excited. 51 days and counting!!!

The USVI still requires you to register with their portal going into the USVIs both coming and going to BVI.

Thanks. But no need for us. We are travelling CLT-SJU-EIS-NGD. Then reverse coming home. @bailau turned me on to this route two years ago to avoid STT. I finally get to use my tickets!!

Do you still have to register with the PR portal? We are coming 10/13.

If you are in-transit, there is no need to register with PR.

Jason, if we spend the night either at the airport hotel or very nearby on our way to Beef do we need to register with PR?

I would assume you do. It's a very quick, easy, and free portal so it's not really much of an issue.

Friends who stayed at the airport hotel did need to register with the PR portal.

Anyone who has used the vaccine cards in the BVI, my crew has questions if they need a special card, or the original card they received when vaccinated is sufficient,

Thank you in advance.

Bo Scott

No special card.

They do request that you scan the front and back of the card. I thought this a bit odd as there is no information filled in on the back of the card. They will also accept a form with the Smart Health format QR codes that some areas are starting to use.

The BVI cards have writing on both sides. That's probably why they request the front and back.

That makes sense!