Living in the British Virgin Islands guide for expats

All the information you need to relocate and live in the British Virgin Islands.

Our selection of articles for expatriation in the British Virgin Islands

Generalities on the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are in fact an archipelago of 60 islands, among which 16 are inhabited. Tortola, the main island, is ...

Obtaining work in the BVI

There are lots of arenas for ex-pats to work in the BVI, but the BVI Government  seeks, wherever possible, to ensure ...

British Virgin Islands: The basics

The British Virgin Islands are a small archipelago of islands at the north-easternmost sector of the Caribbean.  The ...

About the British Virgin Islands

The climate is subtropical, and trade winds make the hot summer days pleasant. Winter temperatures are between 16°C and 20°C. From July to October, the islands can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. The volcanic islands are surrounded by coral reefs, which are heavily protected by laws against scuba diving, spearfishing, or any other activity that may cause damage to the reef.

The cultural background of the Virgin Islands is a mix of both British and West African. Island life is laid-back, and can be slow moving for expats who are used to the hectic rhythms of the west. Most of the free time is spent on water-sports, such as snorkelling, surfing, and windsurfing. Sailing is a very common part of life here, and every summer the coastline is packed with sailboats for the annual regatta.

The British Virgin Islands have one of the most stable economies in the Caribbean, and tourism accounts for around 45% of it. Financial services are the other most important industry, as the island is a tax haven and a hotspot in the offshore banking industry. Jobs in the tourism sector are available, and many expats work in this sector.

Quick Information

Currency : Dollar
Area : 153 Km2
Population : 21730
Calling Code : ++1-284
Timezone : America/Tortola