Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Aug 29, 2025

Automated Passport Control kiosks launched @ TB Lettsome Airport

Automated Passport Control kiosks launched @ TB Lettsome Airport

The Immigration Department of the Virgin Islands (VI) has launched Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks to expedite entry for returning VI citizens holding [British] Virgin Islands or United Kingdom (UK) passports to the Territory.

The APC kiosks, launched via a brief ceremony at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Friday, August 19, 2022, will enable eligible travelers to scan their passports and respond to entry questions. The system performs a facial recognition verification of the travelers which allows them entry into the Territory if successful.

The Immigration Department of the Virgin Islands (VI) on Friday, August 19, 2022, launched its Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks to expedite entry for returning VI citizens holding [British] Virgin Islands or United Kingdom (UK) passports to the Territory.


'We want to ensure a seamless process'- Hon Rymer


Deputy Premier Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), who was Acting Premier at the time of the launch, said, “We are working with e-Government to make these processes efficient, streamlined, and online…we want to ensure [entering the Virgin Islands] is a seamless process.”

Honourable Rymer also acknowledged the hard work of the Immigration Department, who “worked tirelessly” during the height of COVID-19, adding, “We look forward to the launch of the additional phases of the [border management system].”

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs Carolyn E. Stoutt Igwe, said the kiosks are a significant milestone, “as the Government seeks to enhance services to ensure the best possible experience for residents and visitors, as well as to improve the Territory’s border security.”

'We look forward to next tourist season'- Stoutt Igwe


The permanent secretary also said the launch of the kiosks is timely in preparing for the next tourist season, adding, “We are a tourism destination, and we are working hard to ensure that we improve our services, as we look forward to the next tourist season.”

Mrs Stoutt Igwe referred to the launch of the Immigration Department’s Border Management and e-Visa System on December 1, 2020. She explained that since then, the department has launched different services under the Border Management and eVisa System with Friday’s launching of the kiosks being another phase of the project.

What's next?


The Permanent Secretary said the system’s next phase entails the launch of the small vessel and aircraft portal which will allow pre-clearance for private/charter vessels, day trippers, and private/charter aircrafts. Additionally, the Entry and Debarkation (ED) cards online processing is underway.

“I hope everyone is as excited as I am and will pray for the Immigration Department as they continue to transform our experience at our borders,” Mrs Stoutt Igwe said.

The Permanent Secretary concluded her remarks by expressing gratitude to the Canadian Bank Note (CBN) Company officials for their “steadfast assistance” with the project, in addition to the Immigration Department’s team for their hard work in advancing the initiatives.

Kiosk use will eventually extend to other nationalities- Deputy CIO


Commenting on the new kiosks, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Mrs Nadia Demming-Hodge said, “This proven technology is widely used throughout the Caribbean region and internationally and is designed to reduce the wait time upon arrival while securely vetting the traveler.”

Mrs Demming-Hodge said that eligibility for the use of the kiosk will extend to other nationalities within a future phase of the project.

Director of Business Development of CBN, Fuencisla Leal-Santiago, thanked the Immigration Department and stakeholders present and said she looks forward to continuing the successful working relationship with the Government of the Virgin Islands.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Bruce Willis Relocated Due to Advanced Dementia
French and Korean Nuclear Majors Clash As EU Launches Foreign Subsidy Probe
EU Stands Firm on Digital Rules as Trump Warns of Retaliation
Getting Ready for the 3rd Time in Its History, Germany Approves Voluntary Military Service for Teenagers
Argentine President Javier Milei Evacuated After Stones Thrown During Campaign Event
Denmark Confronts U.S. Diplomat Over Covert Trump-Linked Influence in Greenland
Starmer Should Back Away from ECHR, Says Jack Straw
Trump Demands RICO Charges Against George Soros and Son for Funding Violent Protests
Taylor Swift Announces Engagement to NFL Star Travis Kelce
France May Need IMF Bailout, Warns Finance Minister
Chinese AI Chipmaker Cambricon Posts Record Profit as Beijing Pushes Pivot from Nvidia
After the Shock of Defeat, Iranians Yearn for Change
Ukraine Finally Allows Young Men Aged Eighteen to Twenty-Two to Leave the Country
The Porn Remains, Privacy Disappears: How Britain Broke the Internet in Ten Days
YouTube Altered Content by Artificial Intelligence – Without Permission
Welcome to The Definition of Insanity: Germany Edition
Just a reminder, this is Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris.
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
×