Work Permits | How to Hire Staff in the BVI

First preference for local professionals

As with other offshore jurisdictions, first preference when filling job vacancies in the British Virgin Islands must be given to local Islanders. Where a suitable BVIslander (aka Belonger) cannot be identified, and in order for an expatriate to legally work in that role in the BVI, an employer must take a number of steps to get a work permit.

Application requirements

A regular work permit is valid for one year from its date of issue (not the start date of employment). In applying for a work permit for a non-Belonger, an employer will need to submit the following supporting items:

A cover letter summarising the request for the work permit
An explanation as to whether any locals had applied and the reasons why their applications have not been accepted, together if applicable with copies of such correspondence to local applicants
A copy of the employer’s current trade licence
The job description of the vacancy being filled
A copy of the employment contract
Copies of two (2) newspaper adverts (run consecutively with visible dates)
A copy of the applicant’s CV
Copies of relevant qualifications
Police record and medical report
One professional reference on company letterhead
One character reference written by a professional person or academic that has known the individual for at least five years (not a relative)
Passport-style photographs

If your new hire will be working in a senior position in the financial services sector, he/she may need approval from the BVI Financial Services Commission prior to applying for a work permit.

Turnaround time

The work permit and immigration approval process can take up to 10 weeks from the date of submission to the Labour Department. Add in the time needed to collate the required documentation and it means that a realistic turnaround time from the date of identifying the right candidate to the time when they actually start work is likely to be 3-4 months.

Work permit fees

Fees are charged are based on employee’s salary.

At the time of writing, non-domestic workers with annual earnings up to $25,000 are charged at 3%, the fee for earnings in the $25,001 to $50,000 range is calculated at 5%, and the fee for earnings above $50,001 is calculated at 7%.

For example, therefore, someone earning $40,000 will pay $1,500 for the work permit fee. The first $25,000 in income will be charged at 3% (i.e. $750) plus the fee on the next $15,000 which is charged at 5% (another $750).

There is a maximum fee cap of $10,000.

There is also a $75 administration fee.

The above information has been provided for guidance purposes only. Employers who are interested in hiring staff to work in the BVI should take independent legal and other advice as may be necessary.