Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025
This bill, the Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025, would extend a visa-waiver option to the U.S. Virgin Islands by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act. It adds the Virgin Islands to the existing Guam and Northern Mariana Islands visa-waiver program, allowing nonimmigrant visitors for business or pleasure from specified countries to enter the Virgin Islands for up to 45 days without the full visa process. Administration of the program would require regulatory rules, country-by-country determinations, and ongoing oversight by federal and territorial authorities, including potential suspensions if security or fraud concerns arise. The act also imposes a requirement that participants waive certain rights to seek review or contest removal, with limited exceptions for asylum or withholding of removal. In short, the bill creates a temporary, country-specific pathway for short visits to the Virgin Islands, subject to regulatory conditions, security safeguards, and fees designed to recover program costs. Regulations must be in place within one year and would specify eligible countries (largely CARICOM members) and any special requirements or bonding for higher-risk travelers.
Key Points
- 1Expansion of visa waiver: Adds the Virgin Islands to the existing Guam and Northern Mariana Islands visa-waiver program, permitting eligible nonimmigrant visitors to enter the Virgin Islands for up to 45 days without a standard visa.
- 2Conditions and safeguards: Waivers require an adequate arrival/departure control system and must not threaten U.S. welfare, safety, or security. DHS may suspend admissions by country or program for security, fraud, or enforcement concerns. Areas of consideration include tracking, repatriation, overstays, and information sharing.
- 3Rights waiver requirement: Individuals applying for the waiver must waive certain rights to review or appeal admissibility determinations and to contest removal, with limited exceptions for asylum or withholding of removal.
- 4Regulation and country list: DHS, in consultation with Interior and State, must promulgate regulations within one year, including a country-by-country list of eligible CARICOM nationals and any bonding or special requirements for those travelers.
- 5Fees and conformity: DHS will establish an administrative processing fee to cover the full costs of processing and administering the Virgin Islands entry under the waiver, and related conformity amendments to the nonimmigrant admissions framework.