In a statement on Thursday, the Deputy Governor’s Office said: “Travellers from the Virgin Islands who are experiencing or have experienced challenges when using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Visa Waiver to enter the United States, are asked to report their experience to the Office of the Deputy Governor.”

ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows citizens from jurisdictions like the BVI to enjoy travel to the United States for business or tourism without a visa.

The Deputy Governor’s Office did not explicitly state that residents have been experiencing challenges. But there have been reports of BVI locals experiencing difficulties entering the United States via ESTA in previous years.

In the meantime, persons are asked to email the Office of the Deputy Governor at dgo@gov.vg with details including the name of any traveller who has experienced these challenges, the date of their travel, and a brief description of their experience.