The department said in a media release this week that the government is now seeking five qualified persons to serve as members on the Board of Immigration, at least one of whom must be a resident of one of the sister islands.

“Persons who wish to serve on the Board should be deemed to belong to the Virgin Islands by birth or descent; or a resident in the Virgin Islands for a minimum of 25 for the same period,” the Immigration Depart stated.

The Board of Immigration’s role is to provide advisory and consultative functions, without any executive or administrative functions, concerning or connected with the entry of persons into the territory, and the residence and occupation in the territory of persons who do not belong to the BVI.

The Immigration Department said board members must possess the requisite leadership skills, sound knowledge of the territory’s cultural heritage, knowledge and/or have a willingness to learn about and analyse emerging issues in law and human rights, both locally and globally.