CHRISTIANSTED —The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) is notifying the public of a new license category created pursuant to 27 V.I.C. § 302(b) for businesses engaging in any business transaction in the territory.
DLCA said it will issue the “General Business” license within 24 hours provided the applicant confirms that its filed the appropriate formation documentation with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for approval for use of its trade name if applicable, obtained a favorable background check from the Virgin Islands Police Department and has paid the DLCA licensing fee.
The “General Business” license is for a business that has a business tax identification number and is not otherwise transacting a business activity that requires the business to obtain a license for a specific business category activity or required by any other provision of the Virgin Islands Code.
If a business entity is comprised of principals who are required to maintain a license granted or regulated by a local, state or national certification board or body, the entity and its licensed principals are not be permitted to obtain a General Business License.
The cost of a “General Business” license is $200.00. When an individual or a new business entity receive a “General Business” license, that individual or entity is only permitted to do the following transactions under this category:
- Opening of bank accounts,
- Purchase of personal and/or real property,
- Entering into lease agreements,
- Importation of equipment and,
- Registering of motor vehicles and other related non-regulated transactional business activity.
“DLCA has had numerous discussions, including a hearing before a Committee chaired by Senator Alicia Barnes on creating a transactional license” stated Commissioner Evangelista. “I am pleased to inform the public that DLCA has done so to aid the business license applicant who needs DLCA’s expedited approval to engage in transactional activities like opening bank accounts and entering into a lease agreement, etc.”
As a reminder, the “General Business” license is transactional and not for conducting business. If you are interested in conducting business in the United States Virgin Islands Territory an individual and/or business entity shall submit in writing to the Commissioner of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs their intent by filling out a business license application at www.dlca.vi.gov
Applicants are still required to obtain approvals from the Virgin Islands Police Department, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Virgin Islands Fire Service and in some instances, Virgin Islands Department of Health prior to receiving a business license.
For more information on the steps to apply for a business license, you may contact DLCA at 340-713-3522 on St. Croix; 340-714-3522 on St. Thomas and St. John, 340-693-8036. For consumer related issues, you may email us at [email protected] or call our hotlines to report scams or alleged price gouging at 340.727.SCAM(7226) on St.Croix or St. Thomas/St. John at 340.771.SCAM(7226). Follow us on Facebook @dlcavi.
For more information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the USVI Department of Health’s website, doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 888777. For non-medical information call (340) 715-6843 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 7 days per week. #COVID19USVI