What you need to know
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has proposed an Inter-Virgin Islands Council meeting in Washington during the week of October 12 to address British Virgin Islands commercial-vessel licensing rules. Government House says the request followed a September 17 discussion with representatives from several federal agencies.
The disputed framework affects USVI-based charter operators, water taxis and passengers traveling between the neighboring territories. Government House says the federal discussion included the departments of the Interior, State, Homeland Security and Commerce, along with the U.S. Trade Representative and Small Business Administration.
Bryan requested written confirmation of BVI participation by September 25. Federal representatives expressed interest in joining a coordinated discussion and meeting space was offered, according to the territorial account, but no meeting date or negotiated change has been confirmed.
Current BVI fees cited in the report include $7,500 for an annual foreign-based term-charter license with up to seven entries, $2,100 for each additional entry, $24,000 for unlimited annual entries, $8,500 for annual day-trip operations and $2,500 for water taxis. Operators should continue following published BVI entry and licensing rules unless an official change is issued.
Both governments should publish the operative fee schedule, a side-by-side explanation of disputed provisions, meeting confirmations and any signed outcome so operators and travelers are not forced to rely on informal accounts.
Source published September 18, 2026. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
Open original source