Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

It’s now official! No more free trade, travel for BVI as Brexit takes effect

It’s now official! No more free trade, travel for BVI as Brexit takes effect

As of January 1, 2021, the UK officially transitioned from the European Union (EU), a move which has snatched away a number of benefits that the BVI previously enjoyed under that economic bloc.

According to a statement from Premier Andrew Fahie, three of the main areas in which the BVI will see change are travel, trade, and access to EU funding.

This article will discuss the implications for trade and travel while a subsequent article will outline the implications for EU funding.

Freedom of Movement will end


Premier Fahie said British Citizens will no longer retain the right to move freely across the European Member States.

But holders of British Passports and British Overseas Territories (BOTC) passports travelling as tourists will now have visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while travelling within the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area covers most of the EU countries, except Ireland. However, it also includes countries such as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

Persons planning longer stays for work, to study, or to conduct business in the EU, are advised to check the requirements as they will be subjected to the immigration controls of each individual EU Member State.

BVIslanders should note that persons should be prepared to answer questions regarding the reasons for their visit and their financial capacity to sustain themselves while in Europe. In this regard, British Citizens will now be required to meet the entry requirements set out by each individual country.

Persons travelling for work, secondment, or to study, may now be required to obtain a work permit or student visa for that country.

Holders of the burgundy UK passports with the words ‘European Union’ on the cover, are advised that these passports will continue to be valid until the stated expiration date, and will be replaced with dark blue British Passport when submitted for renewal.

Trade


From January 1, 2021, the Overseas Territories will no longer enjoy tariff-free and quota-free access when exporting goods to the EU Market.

The new UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provide for tariff-free and quota-free trade in goods, between the UK and the EU.

But Overseas Territories are not included in this arrangement, with the exception of Tristan Da Cunha for the export of Lobster into the EU market.

As the BVI and other Overseas Territories had non–reciprocal access to the EU market, goods imported from the EU will not be affected.

Financial services not affected


The new UK-EU Trade and Cooperation agreement does not cover Trade in Services, including Financial Services, which will be addressed in a subsequent agreement at a later date.

As the EU conducts trade with the BVI as a third country, the BVI’s trade-in services with the EU will not be affected by the new arrangement.

Brexit


The United Kingdom voted to leave the EU in June 2016 by a referendum.

The country officially left the EU on January 31, 2020, and entered into a transition period while they negotiated the terms of the future relationship.

That transition period officially ended on December 31, 2020, thus BVI and other OTs will start to see changes in their relationship with EU countries.

The UK leaving the EU has been termed ‘Brexit’, which was abbreviated from the term ‘British Exit’.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
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
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×