British nationals are being reminded to ensure that their travel documents are in order this hurricane season.

The Governor's Office said persons who may need to travel overseas (including to the USA) before, or immediately after a hurricane, are to ensure that their documents are in order.

Copies should be made of key documents, including passports, birth certificates, work permits and drivers' licenses, and stored in a safe place, separate from the originals. In the event of an approaching hurricane or tropical storm, original documents should be kept in waterproof bags or containers.

British nationals are also asked to note that there are no British passport facilities in the Territory. Persons renewing passports during the hurricane season should submit applications online to Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) in the UK.  The Governor’s Office said that it is not able to answer general passport questions or give information on passport applications in progress as they are no longer involved in this process, which is explained in the following links.

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

British nationals can also renew their passports up to nine months before they expire without losing any of the validity they have paid for. There are however exceptions for genuine emergencies but the hurricane season is not considered an exceptional circumstance – it is a regular occurrence that can be planned for. 

 Persons are also reminded that  British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) passports continue to be processed by the Civil Registry and Passport Office.

 The Governor's Office would like to remind all other foreign nationals in the British Virgin Islands that the advice above also applies to them. Persons should consider registering with their nearest Consular mission.