SVG eyes St Kitts digital border system to speed up immigration 

Cabinet considers digital border system for SVG

By Val Matthias. Updated 1:53 p.m., Friday, October 30, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines is considering adopting a digital border management system currently operating in St Kitts and Nevis, as part of efforts to modernise immigration processing and improve the country’s visitor experience.

Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development, Dr the Honourable Kishore Shallow, disclosed the development while speaking on the New Times radio programme on Friday 30, October, saying the software provider had already made a presentation to Cabinet.

He also revealed that a Vincentian delegation recently travelled to St Kitts and Nevis to examine the system and observe how it operates.

The delegation, which visited approximately two weeks before the minister’s interview, was led by Michelle Forbes, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for National Security, Immigration and Disaster Management, and included the Chief Immigration Officer.

Shallow said he had also examined both the front-end and back-end operations of the technology earlier this year and received a full presentation.

Describing the provider as having what he considered the leading application software solution in the Caribbean, the minister indicated that SVG could adopt the same platform.

“I believe not too long from now, we’re probably likely to adopt that same solution,” he said.

A digital border management system uses electronic technology to collect and process passenger information before and during international travel.

The broader purpose is to make passenger processing more efficient while giving immigration and security authorities better access to information for screening and border management.

Shallow did not specify which features would be adopted in SVG or whether the proposed arrangement would cover both air and seaports of entry.

The digital border proposal forms part of the ministry of Tourism’s Love SVG 100 Projects initiative, which is aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism product and improving the visitor experience.

The initiative identifies 100 projects across areas including natural attractions and eco-sites, heritage and cultural sites, transport and access infrastructure, hospitality services and community-based tourism.

The proposed border technology would address an important part of the visitor journey, the process of entering the country. While other projects focus on improving attractions and facilities, a digital border system would seek to modernise the administrative process travellers encounter on arrival.

Although the minister indicated that adoption of the system was likely, he did not announce a final Cabinet decision or confirm that a contract had been awarded.

He also provided no estimated cost, financing arrangements or implementation timetable.

The Government has not yet publicly detailed how the proposed platform would be integrated with existing immigration, customs and national security operations, or what safeguards would govern the handling of travellers’ personal information.

For now, the system remains under consideration, with a presentation to Cabinet and a visit by senior Vincentian officials to St Kitts and Nevis forming part of the assessment process.

Whether the proposal advances to implementation will depend on the Government’s decision, the financial commitment involved and the arrangements required to introduce the technology.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]