Entry Information and Protocols
By Air
American Airlines runs daily flights from November to August from Miami to Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island (attached to Tortola by a short bridge). US and Canadian visitors can alternately fly into San Juan, Puerto Rico and then take one of several commuter airlines to Beef Island.
Most visitors from Europe and the UK come via Antigua and take a commuter flight from Antigua into Beef Island. Some European travelers fly from Paris to St. Maarten and then take a flight from St. Maarten to Beef Island.
By Sea
There is also the option of flying into St. Thomas in the neighboring US Virgin Islands and hopping onto one of several ferries with regular routes between St. Thomas and the BVI. Ferries from downtown Charlotte Amalie, or Red Hook on St Thomas’ East End run several times a day; they stop in either West End, Tortola, or Road Town (depending on the route, these trips can take around 25 minutes or an hour).
Within the BVI
There is also a comprehensive ferry system linking many of the islands within the BVI, including Tortola and Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Several hotels and resorts on the outer islands use their own vessels to transport guests to their properties from docks at Trellis Bay on Beef Island (near the airport), Road Town, or Gun Creek on Virgin Gorda, among other locations.
Documentation
It is important to arrive in the BVI with the right documents. In the majority of cases, visitors will be granted entry for a maximum of four weeks. Visitors must show a round trip or an on-going ticket to gain entry and must have prior arranged accommodation for the duration of their stay.
A valid passport is required for all visitors to the BVI, including British, US and Canadian citizens. To stay longer than a month you will need to get special permission from the BVI Department of Immigration. Visitors from some countries may need a visa for entry (although not if you are from the US, Canada, UK and most countries in Europe). To check on entry requirements, or determine if you need a visa, please contact the BVI Tourist Board office: (284) 852-6020; or the BVI Department of Immigration Tel (284) 468-3701; both in Road Town.
Those who would like to work in the BVI, will have to apply for a work permit through their prospective employer.
Covid Entry Protocols
As of July 15, 2022 a negative Covid test for entry to the Territory is not required.
Further entry information can be found at
