1
Choose your port of entry
Pick the recognised Customs and Immigration office nearest your route: West End, Road Town, Great Harbour or Virgin Gorda.
Customs & Immigration ports of entry across the BVI
British Virgin Islands Yacht Clearance
Every yacht arriving in the British Virgin Islands from outside the territory must clear Customs and Immigration at a recognised port of entry — West End, Road Town, Great Harbour or Virgin Gorda — before anyone other than the person handling clearance goes ashore. This guide explains the arrival and departure process, and can introduce you to a local clearance agent.
5 British Virgin Islands locationsChoose the port that matches the voyage or berth.
One clear requestSend yacht, crew, route and timing details once.
Local agent supportWe review the request before an introduction.
Before arrival
Prepare your BVI clearance folder
The captain clears in for the whole vessel, so have these ready before you reach the Customs and Immigration office.
✓A valid passport for everyone aboard, plus any visa required for entry
✓Crew and passenger list
✓Vessel registration papers and the registration number for the online ED Card
✓Online ED Card receipt, completed within 72 hours before arrival or on arrival before seeking entry
✓Proof of ownership or authority to operate the yacht
✓Valid yacht insurance
✓Previous port clearance / outbound zarpe where issued
✓Charter agreement and cruising-permit details for charter or commercial vessels
Our service
Local support for clearing into and out of the BVI
We review the voyage details and may introduce you to a local BVI clearance agent who can confirm the current process at the intended port of entry, including the ED Card, any vessel notification and applicable permits or authority charges.
2
Send yacht and crew details
Provide the vessel registration, people aboard, last and next port, and your expected arrival or departure time.
3
Coordinate locally
A local agent can confirm current documents, permits, attendance, office availability and charges.
Clearance planning
How clearing into the BVI works
Complete the ED Card
Complete the online Embarkation/Disembarkation Card at bviedcard.gov.vg within 72 hours before arrival, or on arrival before seeking entry. Keep the receipt available.
Proceed to an available port of entry
Follow current arrival instructions and report to Customs and Immigration at a listed, available port of entry before continuing to a marina or cruising onward.
Present the vessel and traveller records
The captain or an authorised crew member presents the required passports, ED Card receipts, vessel registration and other requested records.
Complete outbound clearance
Complete the applicable outbound formalities before the next international voyage. BVI Customs states that a cleared vessel must depart within 24 hours.
British Virgin Islands locations
Where yachts clear into the BVI
Clear Customs and Immigration at a currently available port of entry before proceeding beyond clearance formalities. BVI Tourism currently lists Road Town, West End, Great Harbour and St Thomas Bay as ports of entry and describes Gun Creek as reopening soon; confirm availability before relying on any location.
Tortola
2 locationsJost Van Dyke
1 locationVirgin Gorda
2 locationsBritish Virgin Islands requirements
What to know before you clear in
ED Card and vessel notification
The digital ED Card can be completed within 72 hours before arrival or on arrival before seeking entry. BVI Tourism also currently publishes SailClear instructions for private cruisers, while noting that the process should be reconciled with the ED Card; confirm the current yacht-specific notification requirement before sailing.
Authorities and arrival sequence
International arrivals report to BVI Customs and Immigration at an available port of entry with valid passports, ED Card receipts and vessel registration papers. Follow current port instructions and keep everyone aboard except as needed for clearance until entry is granted.
Permits, levies and authority charges
Cruising permits, environmental or park charges, overtime and other authority fees may apply depending on the yacht and itinerary. Rates change, so obtain current amounts from the competent authority or local agent.
Departure and longer stays
Complete outbound clearance before the next international voyage and depart within the period stated by Customs. Extended stays, charter activity and commercial operation can require additional Customs or permit arrangements; confirm them for the specific yacht.
FAQ
British Virgin Islands Yacht Clearance questions
Does a yacht have to clear Customs and Immigration when arriving in the BVI?
Yes. BVI Tourism states that vessels arriving from outside the territory must clear with BVI Customs and Immigration immediately on arrival and retain valid passports and vessel registration papers. Follow current port instructions and do not cruise onward before entry is granted.
Which ports can a yacht use to clear into the BVI?
BVI Tourism currently lists Road Town and West End on Tortola, Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke, and St Thomas Bay on Virgin Gorda as ports of entry. It describes Gun Creek as reopening soon, so do not rely on Gun Creek until its operating status is explicitly confirmed.
Do I need the online ED Card or SailClear to enter the BVI by yacht?
Complete the digital ED Card within 72 hours before arrival or on arrival before seeking entry. BVI Tourism also currently publishes SailClear instructions for private cruisers but notes that the process should be reconciled with the newer ED Card, so confirm the current yacht-specific notification requirement before sailing.
Do I have to clear out of the BVI before sailing to the USVI?
Complete BVI outbound clearance before an international departure. BVI Customs states that a cleared vessel must leave within 24 hours. You must separately meet current US Customs and Border Protection requirements on arrival in the USVI.
What does this website do?
British Virgin Islands Yacht Clearance is an information and agent-referral service, not a government authority. It reviews the voyage details submitted and may introduce the requester to a suitable local Yacht Clearance agent.
Personal clearance support
Send the voyage details once. We help route the request.
Use the form for check-in, check-out, Customs and Immigration, ED Card, cruising-permit or clearing-out assistance.