The Immigration Department will end paper applications for conditional permits on December 15 as it moves to a fully online system designed to modernise its services in the BVI.

The Department said in a recent press release that the shift is part of a broader effort to digitise its operations and improve service delivery. The transition follows several government-led moves in recent years to upgrade online systems across departments, including immigration processing, work-permit workflows, and customer-service portals.

Paper submissions for conditional permits will pause from December 16 to 31 while the Department finishes processing existing applications and prepares to launch the new digital platform on January 1, 2026.

The Department said the updated system will “streamline the application process, improve efficiency, and enhance service delivery to the public,” according to the release. After the new system goes live, all conditional permit applications must be submitted online.

Acting Chief Immigration Officer Nadia Demming-Hodge said the digital shift aligns with the Department’s long-term plan to upgrade its services. “This transition is one step in our ongoing efforts to modernise the Department of Immigration’s services. Moving the conditional permit application process online is part of a broader, long-term commitment to digitising all of our services. By embracing technology, we aim to improve efficiency, strengthen transparency, and make our services more accessible to our clients,” she explained.

The Department apologised for any inconvenience caused during the pause and thanked the public for its patience. It added that persons needing assistance, including emergency cases, may contact the office by email, telephone, or in person during the transition period.

The announcement comes as the territory continues expanding digital platforms across government systems. Immigration processing delays and backlogs have long been a concern, with government officials citing digitisation as a key solution. The Department said it will continue modernisation efforts beyond this stage as part of a wider transformation programme.