This bill amends immigration law to include the Virgin Islands in the Guam and Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver program, allowing the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive visa requirements for up to 45 days under certain conditions, while also requiring the establishment of an administrative processing fee.
Stacey Plaskett
Representative
VI
The "Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025" amends immigration law to include the Virgin Islands in the Guam and Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver program. This allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive visa requirements for visitors to these territories for up to 45 days, provided certain conditions are met to ensure safety, security, and compliance. The Act also directs the creation of regulations listing eligible countries and allows the Governors of these territories to request the addition of countries to the waiver program. An administrative processing fee will be established to cover the costs of the program.
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Program Set to Launch: 45-Day Stays for Tourists, with a Catch
The Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025 aims to boost tourism by allowing visitors from certain countries to skip the usual visa process and stay for up to 45 days. Basically, it's trying to make a trip to the Virgin Islands as easy as popping over to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands, which already have a similar setup. (See SEC. 2).
Island Getaway, Simplified?
The core of the bill is all about opening up the Virgin Islands to more tourists. If you're from an approved country (the list is still TBD), you could be packing your bags for a quick island getaway without the typical visa hassle. This could mean a real boost for local businesses – think hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and anyone else who benefits from more visitors with money to spend. A farmer selling produce to local restaurants? They'll see a bump. A student working a summer job at a beachside bar? More shifts, more tips. (See SEC. 2).
The Fine Print: Waivers and Watchdogs
Here's where it gets interesting. To get in on this visa-free deal, visitors must agree to waive their right to challenge an immigration officer's decision, except for requests to withhold removal under section 241(b)(3) of this Act or under the Convention Against Torture, or an application for asylum if permitted under section 208 of this Act. (See SEC. 2). That's a significant detail, and it's something potential visitors will need to consider carefully. The Secretary of Homeland Security gets pretty broad authority to decide which countries make the cut and can suspend the program if they see a rise in overstays, unlawful entries, or any other security concerns. (See SEC. 2).
Setting Up the System
This isn't happening overnight. The Secretary of Homeland Security has a year to put regulations in place, including figuring out which Caribbean Community countries get the green light. They'll be looking at things like how well these countries track passports, their visa refusal rates, and how often people from those countries overstay their visas in the US. There is also the requirement to establish an administrative processing fee for individuals seeking to enter the Virgin Islands under this waiver program, to cover all processing and administrative costs. (See SEC. 2). Basically, they want to make sure the system is secure and doesn't become a back door for illegal immigration. The bill also links up with existing immigration law, extending the current Guam-Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver program to include the Virgin Islands. This creates consistency, but it also means any changes to that existing program could ripple out to the Virgin Islands, too. (See SEC. 2).