TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Current entry requirements

I am going to pin this to the top, but please feel free to reply to this post with additional info regarding current entry requirements.

As far as I know, the official site here is the current requirements, but please feel free to post if not.

Link to current requirements

Are Catamaran Charters still not allowed to enter from USVI to BVI? We were informed of such from out agency we booked with today. Just wanting to confirm all of this before we lose a chunk of money.....

So, it looks as if charters are allowed to enter? I see the entry requirements, and those are okay, but wondered if the waters allow charters?

See my post http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubb...i-covid-charter-strategy.html#Post263917 in a thread in the USVI/PR forum.

As of 9/17/21, foreign-based pleasure boats are not allowed to enter the BVI. That includes USVI-based charter vessels.

There are private boats entering now. There were at least 50 or 60 boats from PR in the BVI for xmas in July. I don't think charter boats, but private boats can arrange to enter. The govt. orders link in the other post are from 2020.

Someone recently posted the instructions to enter on a private vessel. I will see if I can find them.

Jason if you can find those instructions I would be very interested. AFAIK the 2020 order I posted earlier banning foreign-based pleasure boats has never been cancelled or relaxed. Thank you.

I wish the rules were a little more clear; maybe someone can help. My party consists of all vaccinated adults with the exception of my 8 year old daughter. The BVI.gov page is also confusion, but the link here says that unvaccinated travellers will be subject to using the gateway portal, but doesn't mention quarantine or anything else for her. I'm ok going through the portal if that is what it takes, but I don't want to spend thousands and arrive to find out that we can't go anywhere.

Does anyone have any clarity around kids? Thx!

Unvaccinated minors follow the rules of their vaccinated parents. Your daughter will need to arrive with a negative test, will be tested on arrival, and then be free to go on her way. No gateway required.

Waiting for an official release to confirm what was stated in the Premier's address but above is the summary. Here is a link to a good written summary.

Thank you! We'll start the search for airfare and villa.

This page from the Tourist Board might be as close as we get to an official release regarding the updated BVI Gateway protocol for vaccinated traveler beginning 1 October 2021.

I gather from reading that that unvaccinated minors must still complete the BVI portal. I don’t however see any requirement for proof of insurance.
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No, it specifically states "travellers under the age of 18 who are travelling with vaccinated parents or guardians — will also be exempted from the BVI gateway portal".

I've asked for clarity on the insurance. I very seriously doubt they are going to require proof of insurance. They may say it's required and then not ask to see it. After going thru the arrival process on Saturday, I can't imagine they will expect anyone in that process to review and be able to understand insurance policies. I think it's going to be on the traveler to protect themselves.

Looks like I thankfully read it wrong.

“Vaccinated minors – travellers under the age of 18 who are travelling with vaccinated parents or guardians — will also be exempted from the BVI gateway portal while being subjected to similar stringent measures.”

I gather this means both vaccinated minors and unvaccinated minors traveling with parents are exempt.

Pi$$ed away $300 and got insurance anyway..I'll take that over having to fill out the dreaded portal!

You have permission to reside, and are therefore considered to be a resident, which exempts you from any insurance requirement to enter.

I wish these things were written a bit more clearly. Can you do a PCR test at home within 5 days of arrival and then not have to take the rapid antigen test on arrival?

Per the new guidelines,
"Will I be tested as a fully vaccinated traveller upon arrival?
Fully vaccinated travellers must take an antigen rapid test upon arrival. If the test results are negative, you will be free to enjoy the Virgin Islands."

Short answer is No. You need a PCR/Antigen test at home depending on your vax status. Everyone gets tested on arrival.

Thanks Jason, so for vaccinated adults (and possibly an accompanied unvaccinated minor), it's rapid antigen test on arrival and maybe Binax for return through USVI and that's it?

You also need a test rapid test within 5 days of arrival in the BVI. Last week, I used a Binax test for that also. So, it's a total of 3 rapid antigen tests.

There is also an insurance requirement. Many people are able to use the existing US insurance for that. We'll probably learn more over the next week or so.

I posted this in another thread, but that thread doesn't seem to be getting many views currently, so I thought I'd repost my question in the pinned thread. Thanks in advance to anyone with insight.

Thanks for this thread. We're considering a trip in March 2022, into the BVI, where we'd like to spend 3-4 days of a ten day trip in the USVI. It seems clear to me that you can't take a USVI charter to the BVI at this point in time; but what about taking a BVI charter to the USVI for a few days and then back to BVI? I know it's impossible to predict what the restrictions will be in 4-5 months, but as of now, is that possible? Would be only fully vaccinated adults, US Citizens.

Currently only private vessels and water taxis allowed to enter. I don't think you charter boat will qualify unless it's your personal boat.

Expect it to change between now and March but nothing is for sure until it happens. Consider going land-based in the USVI for 3-4 days and chartering in the BVI. It will make your planning much easier.

Thank you, Jason.

Looking for anyone who has entered since 12/1/21 under the latest COVID-19 protocols. Specifically, what "proof of insurance" was accepted? We are chartering with Sunsail from 1/12-1/19/22 and have purchased travel insurance from Redpoint Travel (State National Ins. Co.) and are trying to get them to give us a certificate of insurance to show the authorities at EIS.

We entered 12/10 through Beef Island and showed BCBS International coverage for each family member letter and they barely looked at that and didnt even ask abotu travel insurance. Didn't even buy travel insurance this time (we did in June through Redpoint). In June with Redpoint we had to show each travellers name on insurance (we had to request that from redpoint) and the Moorings list of crew members on contract. We are land based this time but dont think you need all that anymore. Focus was on test results

If you are employed at a company sometimes they have TravelAssist programs through their benefits ...e.g. UNUM. I am sure you could use that 1 pager but again we didnt need that

Thanks ballau. Enjoy your visit.

We came in to EIS 12/8. Only thing they asked for was vaccination card - several times.

I too am confused about the required Mandatory Traveler Insurance. We will be Arriving from STT, boarding a ferry to JVD. Will anyone ask for a copy of our Insurance?

It seems to be hit or miss. I've been told that American Airlines sometimes asks and Native Son sometimes asks. If you have something to show (example: a letter showing you home policy covers international illness) it will most likely satisfy the person checking. They are unlikely to stop and make sure it covers quarantine cost, medical repatriation, etc.

All that said, consider trying to find a policy that covers you for costs associated with quarantine (hotel, meals, flight change, etc). There are lots of people here right now that are wishing they had coverage. There are lots of positive travel test cases coming up and that cost is on the traveler to change their flights, find a place to stay, etc. We are full but getting requests for quarantine guests every day.

Agree with Jason. We are here now - fourth trip in the last year. We have previously only traveled with our GeoBlue insurance but bought full travel insurance with generous quarantine coverage for this trip for all the crew. Trying to cover all the risks. We weren’t asked for it on arrival 1/2 but that isn’t even the point at this stage of the game.

May I ask who you purchased the quarantine insurance from?

Safe Travels Voyager plan via Insubuy.

Looking for where to find the current entry and exit requirements traveling to and from BVI/US via Air (thru EIS). Can anyone point me to a post here or a link? Many thanks.

This is the best unofficial summary I've seen.

This one is from the BVI Government.

On the US side, it depends a little on whether you're flying thru STT or SJU but in general you currently need test within 1 day of departure to fly into either location. USVI also requires a portal. PR does not require a portal.

The "unofficial" link (page 2) says that as of Jan 3 you need a test within 72 hours for _BVI_ entry. I knew that is true for the USVI but this is the first I've heard for the BVI. Is it an error? (As far as I can find, the "official" link still says 5 days).

I've not heard that it changed but will get some clarity from the author

I confirmed with Candice, who wrote that guide. It's a typo. She was trying to refer to the USVI requirement change.

BVI still requires a test within 5 days; if it's within 2 days you avoid a test on arrival.

Like the Villas Virgin link. We are flying EIS-SJU. Is there any hoop to jump thru from PR to US mainland? Appreciate the help, Jason.