Introduction

Property tax in the British Virgin Islands is quite low, relative to property-related taxes levied in many other countries. Having said that, interest on late payments can quickly accrue and where payments are missed over several years, it is not uncommon for the interest due on those missed payments to exceed the underlying property tax liability.

The BVI’s Inland Revenue Department does not issue property tax invoices or reminders and property owners must therefore remember to pay the required tax when it becomes due.

Download a PDF of our Guide to Property Tax.

The Period Covered

Property tax is payable on 1 September in each year and covers the calendar year in which the relevant payment falls due.

Property tax that falls due on 1 September in any given year therefore covers the period 1 January to 31 December in that year.

While property tax falls due annually on 1 September, property owners are allowed a grace period of three months to pay. This means that property owners will not be in arrears provided the applicable property tax is paid on or prior to 30 November in each calendar year. If the property tax remains unpaid after the three month grace period, interest at a rate of twenty per cent per annum on the amount payable and unpaid shall be charged and such additional sum shall be deemed to be part of, and shall be recoverable with the tax remaining payable and unpaid.

The Two Elements of Property Tax 

Property tax comprises the following two elements:

• A tax levied on every acre or part of an acre of land in the BVI (commonly referred to as land tax); and
• A tax levied on the assessed value of every house in the BVI (commonly referred to as house tax).

Note that the definition of “house” under the relevant legislation includes any kind of building. Property owners should therefore not fall under the mistaken belief that property tax applies in respect of residential properties only.

The element of property tax attributable to land is calculated at differing rates, determined by whether the land in question is owned by a British Virgin Islander, or an expatriate.

For the purposes of the relevant legislation and broadly speaking, a British Virgin Islander is: (i) a person who is deemed to belong to the BVI under the Immigration and Passport Act; and (ii) a BVI company that is owned and controlled by a British Virgin Islander.

The definition of an expatriate includes any person who is not a British Virgin Islander and any company that is not owned and controlled by a British Virgin Islander.

How Property Tax is Calculated 

The element of property tax attributable to land is chargeable at the following rates:

Where the land in question is owned by a British Virgin Islander:

• US$10.00 on the first acre or part acre of land; and
• US$3.00 on each additional acre or part acre of land.

 Where the land in question is owned by an expatriate:

• US$50.00 on half an acre of land or less;
• US$150.00 on more than half an acre of land but not exceeding one acre of land; and
• US$50.00 on each additional acre or part of an acre of land exceeding one acre of land.

Where a person holds land under a lease from the Crown with a term exceeding one year, the land is taxed at the rate applicable to a British Virgin Islander, irrespective of whether the lessee is a British Virgin Islander or an expatriate.

The element of property tax attributable to houses/buildings is calculated at the rate of one and a half percent per annum on the notional annual value of the building in question. The notional annual value is an amount, not in excess of the rent, which the building might reasonably be expected to yield from year to year.

The Annual Assessment 

The Inland Revenue Commissioner assesses and reassesses all property in the BVI liable to the payment of property tax annually and prepares an assessment list which includes the names of property owners and the amount of property tax due for any given year.

The assessment list is required to be published in each inhabited island and in such parts of each inhabited island as the Minister responsible for finance deems expedient.

The assessment list is to be accompanied by a notice advising the owners of the properties referred to in it, that they may appear before a hearing of the Magistrate at the date and place referred to in the notice if they wish to object to the assessed value of their property as detailed in the assessment list.

Property owners who do not agree with the contents of the assessment list as it relates to their property may appear before the Magistrate on the dates and at the times of the hearings stated in the assessment list and state their objections.

At the hearing, the Magistrate will enquire into the assessment, hear and determine the objection and confirm, and alter, or amend the assessment list as is necessary.

Conclusion

Property owners are encouraged to set a reminder to check the assessment list and to pay the property tax attributable to their property on time to avoid the imposition of avoidable interest.

For some BVI property owners it can be challenging to check the amount of property tax that is due and to make timely payment, particularly where they are unable to be in the BVI when the property tax becomes payable. We regularly help property owners ascertain the amount of property tax due and facilitate timely payment to ensure they remain compliant with their property tax obligations. Our service includes annual reminders at the appropriate time to give BVI property owners one less thing to think about.

Please contact us if you would like any assistance with ascertaining and paying your property tax.

 

For more information or if you require any assistance with your BVI property, please feel free to email us or reach out to one of our BVI real estate lawyers using the contact details here.

 

 

Introduction

The Stamps (Amendment) Act 2023 (the Act) is now in force, having been granted assent by the Governor on 20 March 2023 and extends the stamp duty exemption available to Belongers who are first time property owners until 20 March 2024.

Download a PDF of our Legal Guide – Stamp Duty in the BVI – The Stamps (Amendment) Act 2023

The exemption

Stamp duty is a documentary tax that is levied in connection with certain specified legal documents. The primary legislation governing the assessment of stamp duty in the BVI is the Stamp Act. The Act further amends the Schedule to the Stamp Act by exempting certain Instruments effecting the sale or transfer of BVI property from the obligation to pay stamp duty.

The exemption applies only in respect of the sale or transfer of BVI property:

• to a Belonger who is a first-time property owner; and
• for a period of one year from the coming into force of the Act.

The exemption under the Act is expressed to apply to Instruments effecting both the sale and the transfer of BVI property to Belongers. The exemption under the Act therefore captures transfers of property in consideration of natural love and affection, notwithstanding only nominal stamp duty is typically payable in connection with such transfers.

In the context of BVI property transactions, stamp duty is typically paid by the purchaser.

Belongers and Non-Belongers

In broad terms, Belonger status is a legal classification that is associated with a number of British Overseas Territories, though the requirements to attain this status and the rights that such status confers, vary from territory to territory.

As far as the BVI is concerned, a Belonger is a person deemed to belong to the BVI according to the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.

The Stamp Act

Where the exemption under the Act does not apply, the stamp duty payable in connection with the sale of BVI property to a Belonger shall be calculated at a rate of 4% of the higher of the purchase price and the market value of the property in question.

The Non-Belongers Land Holding Regulation Act

In general terms, the rate of stamp duty payable in respect of Instruments effecting the sale or transfer of BVI property to Non-Belongers is higher compared with that payable by Belongers.  For example, the Non-Belongers Land Holding Regulation Act (the NBLHR Act) provides that the stamp duty payable in connection with the sale of BVI property to a Non-Belonger is calculated at a rate of 12% of the higher of the purchase price and the market value of the property in question.

The Act does not apply to Instruments effecting the sale or transfer of BVI property to Non-Belongers and the provisions of the Stamp Act in conjunction with the NBLHR Act will continue to govern the stamp duty regime in respect of such Instruments.

First time property owners

The Act does not include a definition of a first-time property owner and it remains unclear what verification will be undertaken to determine whether a person is indeed a first-time property owner.

Conclusion

The Act provides for significant stamp duty savings for Belongers in a position to take advantage of the exemption.

Belonger purchasers wishing to take advantage of the exemption should bear in mind that the Act provides that where a Belonger benefits from the exemption under the Act and subsequently sells or transfers the property to a Non-Belonger within a period of seven years, the stamp duty waived by way of the exemption shall become due.

For more information or if you require any assistance with your BVI property transaction, please feel free to email us or reach out to your usual GHP contact.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has issued a statement to the maritime industry indicating that the measure introduced in 2021 to require foreign based commercial recreational vessels conducting charter business in the British Virgin Islands to obtain yacht charter licences and  work permits for crew working on these vessels will be reversed as of Tuesday, 15 November 2022.

Download a PDF of our Legal Update – Foreign Based Commercial Recreational Vessels

The introduction of this measure in 2021 meant a sea (np) change in the regulatory regime governing the operation of foreign based commercial recreational vessels in BVI waters resulting in operators modifying their operational procedures and strategies to comply with the requirements.

With the reversal of this position, there will no doubt be questions as to precisely how the revised regime will work in practice and we anticipate that the authorities will publish updated guidance in this regard in due course. We will therefore continue to monitor this space and share any useful information and guidance as the new procedures are implemented.

For more information or if you require any assistance with BVI shipping matters, trade licences or work permits, please feel free to email us or reach out to one of our lawyers using the contact details below.

Introduction

There is now an updated version of this guidance.  Click here for the March 2023 legal guide on the Stamp Duty exemption for first-time belonger home buyers.

The Stamps (Amendment) Act 2022 (the Act) is now in force, having been granted assent by the Governor on 21 March 2022 and is anticipated to have a positive impact on the number of property transactions taking place in the British Virgin Islands.

Download a PDF of our Legal Guide – Stamp Duty in the BVI – The Stamps (Amendment) Act 2022

The exemption

Stamp duty is a documentary tax that is levied in connection with certain specified legal documents. The primary legislation governing the assessment of stamp duty in the BVI is the Stamp Act. The Act amends the Schedule to the Stamp Act by exempting certain Instruments effecting the sale or transfer of BVI property from the obligation to pay stamp duty.

The exemption applies only in respect of the sale or transfer of BVI property:

• to a Belonger who is a first-time property owner; and
• for a period of one year from the coming into force of the Act.

The exemption under the Act is expressed to apply to Instruments effecting both the sale and the transfer of BVI property to Belongers. The exemption under the Act therefore captures transfers of property in consideration of natural love and affection, notwithstanding only nominal stamp duty is typically payable in connection with such transfers.

In the context of BVI property transactions, stamp duty is typically paid by the purchaser.

Belongers and Non-Belongers

In broad terms, Belonger status is a legal classification that is associated with a number of British Overseas Territories, though the requirements to attain this status and the rights that such status confers, vary from territory to territory.

As far as the BVI is concerned, a Belonger is a person deemed to belong to the BVI according to the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.

The Stamp Act

Where the exemption under the Act does not apply, the stamp duty payable in connection with the sale of BVI property to a Belonger shall be calculated at a rate of 4% of the higher of the purchase price and the market value of the property in question.

The Non-Belongers Land Holding Regulation Act

In general terms, the rate of stamp duty payable in respect of Instruments effecting the sale or transfer of BVI property to Non-Belongers is higher compared with that payable by Belongers.  For example, the Non-Belongers Land Holding Regulation Act (the NBLHR Act) provides that the stamp duty payable in connection with the sale of BVI property to a Non-Belonger is calculated at a rate of 12% of the higher of the purchase price and the market value of the property in question.

The Act does not apply to Instruments effecting the sale or transfer of BVI property to Non-Belongers and the provisions of the Stamp Act in conjunction with the NBLHR Act will continue to govern the stamp duty regime in respect of such Instruments.

First time property owners

The Act does not include a definition of a first-time property owner and it is unclear at this stage what verification will be undertaken to determine whether a person is indeed a first-time property owner.

Conclusion

The Act provides for significant stamp duty savings for Belongers in a position to take advantage of the exemption.

Belonger purchasers wishing to take advantage of the exemption should bear in mind that the Act provides that where a Belonger benefits from the exemption under the Act and subsequently sells or transfers the property to a Non-Belonger within a period of seven years, the stamp duty waived by way of the exemption shall become due.

For more information or if you require any assistance with your BVI property transaction, please feel free to email us or reach out to one of our lawyers using the contact details below.

The Probates (Resealing) Act, 2021 (the Act) was Gazetted on 22 June 2021 and took effect from 9 July 2021.

 

Background

The Act repeals and replaces the Probates (Resealing) Act (Cap. 60) (the Original Act), which was enacted in 1937. The purpose of the Original Act was to provide for a simplified procedure to follow in which grants of probate or letters of administration issued by certain foreign courts may be resealed by the courts in the Virgin Islands.

Resealed grants under the Original Act had the same effect as if they were granted by the courts in the Virgin Islands.

Download a PDF of our Legal Update – Probates (Resealing) Act, 2021.

Limitation of the Original Act

The main limitation of the Original Act was that it only applied to grants issued by courts of probate in Her Majesty’s dominions as that term was defined in the Original Act. This included any British protectorate or protected state and any territory in respect of which a mandate or trusteeship was being exercised by Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom or the Government of any part of Her Majesty’s dominions.

The result was that the range of jurisdictions whose court-issued grants of probate or letters of administration could be resealed in the Virgin Islands was necessarily limited.

New legislation

The Act maintains the essence of the Original Act but extends the number of jurisdictions whose grants of probate or letters of administration may be resealed by the Virgin Islands courts. The expanded list of jurisdictions includes all Commonwealth countries and territories and also includes Hong Kong and the United States of America. The Act allows the Governor, with the Agreement of Cabinet to extend the list of applicable jurisdictions, by publication of an Order in the Gazette to that effect. A full list of the current jurisdictions that are covered by the Act is included in the table at the end of this legal guide.

The Act applies to the grant of probate or letters of administration, whether issued before or after the coming into force of the Act.

Creditors

A further change introduced by the Act is that it empowers the High Court to require the giving of security in respect of the payment of debts due from the estate of a deceased person to persons residing in the Virgin Islands before resealing any grant of probate or letters of administration. 

Conclusion

The Act should greatly increase the number of estates that are able to benefit from the simplified procedure through which grants of probate or letters of administration issued by foreign courts may be resealed by the courts in the Virgin Islands. The availability of a simplified procedure in what is undoubtedly a difficult time will be of great benefit to many and shows that the BVI authorities remain conscious of the needs of the users of BVI companies.

If you would like any further information in relation to these changes, or any assistance or guidance in relation to matters relating to wills or probate, please email us or reach out to one of our lawyers using the contact details below.

 

 

Introduction

The Government has for some time been engaged in a consultation and review exercise concerning business licensing and matters relating to the encouragement and regulation of investment in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Draft legislation reflecting the Government’s proposals has now been published in the Gazette in the form of the Business Licensing Act (BLA) and the Virgin Islands Investment Act (VIIA).

Download a PDF of our Legal Update – Business Licensing Act and Virgin Islands Investment Act.

The BLA and VIIA will repeal and replace the Business, Professions and Trade Licences Act (BPTLA) and introduce a new regime to regulate business activities and investment in the BVI. While they are currently in draft form and are therefore subject to amendment, the BLA and VIIA signal the introduction of significant change in this area that will be of interest to current business owners and potential investors.

The requirement for a licence

The BLA maintains the existing requirement that a person shall not engage in business in the BVI without the requisite licence. Business as contemplated by the BLA includes every form of trade and profession, any other activity that is carried on for gain or reward, or in the course of which goods or services are acquired or supplied.

In a departure from the current licensing regime, the BLA provides that the licensing requirement will apply notwithstanding the provisions of any other Act. This is different from the current position where certain business activities that are regulated under separate legislation (for example the Securities and Investment Business Act 2010), are specifically exempted from the need to obtain a licence under the BPTLA. If the provision survives the consultation process, businesses that are currently exempt from the licensing requirement under the BPTLA may need to apply for a licence under the BLA in addition to satisfying any other licensing requirement.

Under the BLA there is a general exemption exclusively for belongers from the requirement to obtain a licence in respect of the sale of any locally produced unprocessed agricultural products or any marine products or roadside vending of homemade pastries, drinks and confectionaries. The BPTLA provided for a similar exemption that was not restricted to belongers.

The application process 

Persons familiar with the process of applying for a licence under the BPTLA will note several changes under the BLA.

First, a modest non-refundable application fee must now accompany the application. Second, the application must be submitted to the Board of the Virgin Islands Trade Commission (the Commission) established under the Virgin Islands Trade Commission Act 2020, for consideration. The functions of the Commission are explained in more detail below. Third, and perhaps most significantly, a licence application submitted by a foreign investor (which in general terms is an investor that is not a belonger) must be accompanied by a certificate of approval of investment. The process of applying for and securing a certificate of approval of investment is covered in more detail below.

In deciding whether to grant a licence the Commission shall also take into account the following matters:

• the previous conduct of the business and that of the persons who have an interest in that business, whether as owner, director, shareholder or otherwise;
• whether the business or proposed business of the applicant is one that has been traditionally reserved for belongers or whether it is one in which belongers have had a substantial representation;
• the efforts made to obtain belonger participation in the business;
• the necessity, if any, for the institution of quotas for the types and categories of businesses to be licensed and operated; and
• the socio-economic impact of the proposed business activity to the economy of the BVI.

Certificate of approval of investment

The process of applying for and securing a certificate of approval of investment is governed by the VIIA. In broad terms, the VIIA prescribes that any foreign investor proposing to invest in the BVI must first apply to the Commission for approval of the proposed investment in the prescribed form and manner. In considering the application for approval of the proposed investment, the Commission shall consider the net benefit for the BVI and shall take into account a range of specified matters, including the following:

• the contribution of the investment to the national development, economic growth, public policy and national security objectives of the BVI;
• the contribution of the investment to the advancement of persons who have been socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged by past discriminatory laws and practices;
• the contribution of the investment to the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at redressing social and economic imbalances in the BVI, including gender-based imbalances;
• the contribution of the investment towards increasing employment creation in the BVI;
• the extent to which the investment will procure goods and services from the small to medium enterprises sector and belonger suppliers in general; and
• any other factors the Commission may prescribe.

Licence renewals

The BLA introduces several changes to the licence renewal process, compared with the current process under the BPTLA.

The BLA prescribes that the same matters taken into account by the Commission when determining whether to grant a licence (as outlined above) should be taken into account when determining whether to renew a licence. In addition, certain prescribed documentation must accompany the renewal application. These include evidence that all taxes, social security contributions and national health insurance contributions have been paid, and copies of any applicable licences, permits or authorisations to operate the business. In the case of a company, the application should be accompanied by a certificate of good standing issued by the Registry of Corporate Affairs and current registers of directors and members. 

Fees

The BLA provides for a general increase in annual licence fees. This is not unexpected given that licence fees under the BPTLA remained static for many years. As is the case under the BPTLA, licence fees under the BLA will vary depending on the nature of the business or profession in question. Licence fees will also be higher in respect of businesses or professions undertaken by foreign investors compared with those undertaken by belonger investors.

The proposed annual licence fees range from US$1,500 to US$15,000 per year in respect of businesses undertaken by foreign investors and US$150 to US$1,500 per year in respect of businesses undertaken by belongers.

The Commission

The Commission is charged with receiving, reviewing and determining applications for the grant and renewal of licences under the BLA. The Commission has a wide role under the VIIA and will perform a range of functions, including the following:

• receiving and considering investment proposals received in accordance with the VIIA and approving or disapproving such applications and issuing certificates of approval of investment;
• promoting foreign and domestic investment;
• undertaking promotional activities to attract foreign investment;
• registering and maintaining a register of belonger and foreign investors and their investments;
• providing support services to investors and assisting with ongoing relations with the Government; and
• assessing economic sectors and investment proposals and projects for investment potential.

Reservation of economic sectors and business activities

The VIIA provides that Cabinet on the advice of the minister responsible for investment promotion, may through the publication of regulations, reserve certain categories of:

• economic sectors; and
• business activities,

as exclusive to the following categories of investor:

• the Government;
• belongers and entities whose majority shareholdings are owned by belongers;
• joint venture partnerships between belonger investors and foreign investors; and
• investors that meet certain specified conditions pertaining to the net benefit that the investment would afford the BVI.

Regulations have not yet been published and it therefore remains to be seen how such a system of reservation will work in practice.

The VIIA provides that if an investor had lawfully invested in an economic sector or business activity prior to it being designated as reserved under the VIIA, the investor shall be entitled to maintain his or her investment after the effective date of the reservation.

Registration of investments

The VIIA contains a general obligation for investors to register their investments with the Commission where those investments exceed a designated monetary threshold to be specified in future regulations. The requirement to register investments applies to both belonger and foreign investors.

Investments that are already in existence when the VIIA comes into effect must be registered within a twelve-month period. The obligation to register also applies to investments that grow to exceed the threshold for registration once they do so even where they start off being below the threshold.

Expropriation

The VIIA provides that the government may expropriate an asset, a property right or any other right of an investor, if such expropriation:

• is taken in the public interest;
• is taken in accordance with applicable requirements and procedures; and
• is accompanied by the payment of just compensation.

The VIIA sets out a number of factors to be taken into account when assessing the level of just compensation and that it shall be based on an equitable balance between the public interest and the interest of those affected having regard to all relevant circumstances.

The circumstances in which expropriation will be deemed an appropriate remedy are not addressed in any detail in the draft legislation.

Change of control

The VIIA provides that an investor with an investment in a sector that is above the designated monetary threshold may not:

• change the ownership or control of the investment; or
• transfer any licence, permit, authorisation or concession owned by the investor, to a foreign investor through any form of merger, acquisition, direct sale or transfer,

without the approval of the Commission. Future regulations will specify the designated monetary thresholds that will apply to different sectors.

On receipt of an application the Commission may approve the application with or without conditions, or decline the application, but it is not clear under the draft legislation what criteria will be applied by the Commission in making this determination.

The VIIA contains an exception to the general requirement for the Commission’s approval in relation to any transfer of ownership or control of an investment where a lender takes possession of a financed investment in the event of a default by the borrower or in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. However, the requirement for the Commission’s approval will still apply in the event of any future transfer of ownership by the lender and also if the lender seeks to operate the investment, other than for essential maintenance and temporary operation.

Performance agreements

Under the VIIA the Commission may, on behalf of the Government, enter into a legally binding performance agreement with any foreign investor seeking approval under the VIIA to agree on matters relating to the contributions of the investment to the development objectives of the BVI. While not expressly stated in the VIIA, it is presumably under such performance agreements that the terms of any incentives and contributions towards the Fund (see below) shall be documented.

National Economic Investment Fund

The VIIA provides for the establishment of a fund to be known as the National Economic Investment Fund (the Fund) into which shall be paid monies contributed by investors pursuant to the VIIA and such other qualifying investments payable pursuant to other legislation. The monies of the Fund shall be used only for the following purposes:

• infrastructure development;
• environmental protection and improvement;
• development programmes; and
• social programmes, including education, sports and health.

The legislation does not set out what criteria will be used to determine when a payment into the Fund will be required, or what level of payment will be expected.

Incentives

The VIIA provides that the Commission may introduce incentives and other support mechanisms as may be required for investments after consultation with the relevant minister responsible for any specific economic sector and with the consent of the minister responsible for finance where revenue is involved.

The incentives which may be introduced include the following:

• residency;
• customs duty exemptions/reductions; and
• tax reductions, including in relation to property tax and payroll tax.

Investment incentives shall be available for investment projects with such minimum prescribed investment as may be determined by the Cabinet. The VIIA sets out the list of areas of economic activity that shall be eligible for investment incentives, which are as follows:

• tourism, research and development;
• professional and financial services;
• business process outsourcing;
• fisheries research and development;
• environmental research and development;
• alternative energy research and development;
• manufacturing and production;
• agriculture research and development; and
• international air and sea transport.

The introduction of the VIIA will repeal the following legislation:

• The Pioneer Services and Enterprises Act;
• The Hotel Aid Act; and
• The Encouragement of Industries Act.

The VIIA provides that any incentives granted under these Acts shall continue to apply until their expiry. 

Conclusion

The publication of the BLA and VIIA heralds the introduction of significant change to the regulation of business licensing and investment in the BVI. We will remain engaged with the legislative process and will provide our own observations on the draft legislation to the Government. We will also publish further guidance once the legislation is introduced. In the meantime, we are available to answer any questions from existing or potential investors in the BVI to help them to ascertain what the impact of this legislation might be on their business interests.  

For more information or if you require any guidance in connection with investing in the BVI or in relation to any licence application or renewal, please email us or reach out to one of our lawyers using the contact details below.

 

 

Introduction

The BVI is scheduled to reopen to international visitors on 1 December 2020. With just under a month to go, business owners getting ready to reopen should check they have all necessary licences and permissions in place to allow them to operate. This is particularly the case for those businesses that may have temporarily ceased operating as a consequence of the Covid-19 related restrictions and which now need to apply for any required licences and permissions that may have expired.

Download a PDF of our Guide to Liquor Licences.

Liquor Licences

It is timely to remind business owners that the sale of alcoholic drinks in the BVI is regulated, and businesses that sell alcoholic drinks must hold a liquor licence authorising them to do so. The type of liquor licence varies, depending on the nature of the premises that the alcoholic drinks are sold from. For example, the sale of alcoholic drinks in a restaurant requires a restaurant liquor licence, whereas the sale of alcoholic beverages in a hotel requires a hotel liquor licence. A liquor licence is also required in connection with the manufacture of alcoholic drinks. Each liquor licence is specific to the premises named in it, meaning that a resort with several different bars will require a separate liquor licence for each bar.

Liquor licences are typically valid for six months and are either granted or renewed at one of two hearings that take place each year at the Magistrate’s Court. The hearings take place on 1 June and 1 December in each year, or the next working day if 1 June or 1 December falls on a weekend or public holiday.

The Application Process 

The supporting documents to be submitted as part of an application for a liquor licence vary, depending on whether the application in question is for a new liquor licence, or the renewal of an existing liquor licence. In each case, the relevant application form and supporting documents should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the relevant hearing date.

Applicants for a new liquor licence should bear in mind that as part of the application process, advertisements must be placed in two consecutive publications of a newspaper published in the BVI stating the intention to sell alcoholic drinks. Copies of the advertisements must accompany the liquor licence application. Business owners that require a new liquor licence should therefore start the advertisement process soon, to ensure that the application can be submitted within the requisite timescale.

For more information or if you require any assistance in connection with your business, including any queries relating to licences or permissions, please feel free to email us or reach out to one of our lawyers using the contact details below.