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Old 01-07-2013, 15:51   #1
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BVI clearance and imigration.

Im a little confused, OK that happens a lot.

If I am a private sailboat going to cruise in the BVI and not a charter boat do I still have to pay for a cruising permit ?

Also if they give me 30 days to enjoy there islands , can I just leave the country and clear out for a couple of days and reset the clock for another month when I clear back in ?

Any one have any recent experience , the reg's are always changing down there .

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Old 01-07-2013, 16:02   #2
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Yes, you still need a cruising permit plus a national park permit.

You can check in an out as much as you want, you just can't exceed the number of days allowed in a 365 day period. I think its 90 days for non-belongers, non-residents, and non-work permit holders.
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Old 02-07-2013, 03:49   #3
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Expensive place to cruise, compared to other islands even for a private boat.. I think Anguilla has it beat .

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Old 02-07-2013, 04:40   #4
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Fwiw,

Spent December to February going between the BVIs and the USVIs. Cleared in and out at various locations, mostly Sopher's hole. Never was asked about total time in bvi waters, or had anything other then a quick glance at my passport.... Fees were quite reasonable compared to what I paid in the Bahamas and the Turks and Cacos.
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Old 02-07-2013, 06:04   #5
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Clear Jost Van Dyke, it's ALWAYS cheaper and quicker...
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Old 02-07-2013, 07:07   #6
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Didn't know you could clear at Jost .

Painkiller immediately after clearing , always a good way to start a cruise

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Old 02-07-2013, 07:14   #7
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Many of my passport pages are full of BVI entry and exit stampings and scribblings, I stopped counting at 30 stamps. Depending upon the seniority of the officer they will give generall give you 2 or 3 weeks entry visa, extensions are possible but you have to wait in line at Road Town or in Spanish Town (I've done both places) and it is easier to just book a round-trip ferry to St. Thomas or St. John. I don't believe that there is a 90 days within the last 365 limitation, or if there is it isn't enforced or just loosely enforced.

When clearing in on a private boat you don't have to get a cruising permit. But theoretically one would need to pay for the NPT moorings without a permit, but those are not controlled in any way.

Clearance costs are published and are the same at all the ports of entry. I have started using the new port of entry at Gun Creek since it is almost always empty, but note that you need to pay cash since the don't accept credit cards there.
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Old 02-07-2013, 07:20   #8
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

"Clearance costs are published and are the same at all the ports of entry. I have started using the new port of entry at Gun Creek since it is almost always empty, but note that you need to pay cash since the don't accept credit cards there"

I clear weekly 20-30 times a year (charter boat) and Jost is ALWAYS Cheaper....as i Stated before.
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Old 02-07-2013, 07:35   #9
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon View Post
Didn't know you could clear at Jost .

Painkiller immediately after clearing , always a good way to start a cruise

Regards
Even better - painkiller WHILE clearing
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Old 02-07-2013, 08:52   #10
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Talking Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zanshin View Post
Many of my passport pages are full of BVI entry and exit stampings and scribblings, I stopped counting at 30 stamps. Depending upon the seniority of the officer they will give generall give you 2 or 3 weeks entry visa, extensions are possible but you have to wait in line at Road Town or in Spanish Town (I've done both places) and it is easier to just book a round-trip ferry to St. Thomas or St. John. I don't believe that there is a 90 days within the last 365 limitation, or if there is it isn't enforced or just loosely enforced.

When clearing in on a private boat you don't have to get a cruising permit. But theoretically one would need to pay for the NPT moorings without a permit, but those are not controlled in any way.

Clearance costs are published and are the same at all the ports of entry. I have started using the new port of entry at Gun Creek since it is almost always empty, but note that you need to pay cash since the don't accept credit cards there.
Thats Great, it's all very confusing especially when you read it on noonsite or the other publications.

It did sound like the cruising permit was just for charter boats .

So when you clear out and clear back in again , they give you another 3 weeks ? Sounds better then I trip to a long line in Roadtown

Hey they serve painkillers in Roadtown too!!

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Old 02-07-2013, 08:58   #11
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

You guys when you talk about painkillers, you refer to the local drinks. When I talk about PAINKILLERS I refer to: Vicodin, Darvon, Percoset, Morphine Sulfate .... sheesh

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Old 02-07-2013, 10:10   #12
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Typhoon - when you clear in they ask you how long you intend to stay and they want a specific date, just answering "I'm just going to cruise around for a bit" won't be a good thing so choose a date 3 weeks ahead and state the exact date.

If the boat stays in the BVI longer than a given period of time you will need to do a temporary import, that is something over $100 but lets the boat stay for extended periods (I keep my boat in the BVI and do a temporary import valid for one year). The temporary import also counts as a NPT moorings pass as well.
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Old 02-07-2013, 11:47   #13
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Re: BVI clearance and imigration.

Ahh Haaa ! found a good site , with all the info.

BVI Marine Guide : Directory

The yearly NPT is 150 $ and the temporary importation fee is 200 $

The cruising permit thing seems to be just for charter boats just as you said Zanshin.

I will not be leaving my boat in the BVI , I will clear in and out aboard .

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