The Government’s decision to remove work permit holders from the Treatment Abroad Programme (TAP) is being framed as fiscal responsibility. Premier Washington Misick’s State of the State Address made the numbers sound dire: TAP costs rising from $40 million in 2024 to $61 million in 2025, now consuming over 10 percent of the national budget. In a small island state, that is indeed a heavy burden. But the applause in the room should not distract from the deeper reality: this p

Hon. Jamell Robinson, Minister of Immigration and Border Services, has revealed that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is moving ahead with plans to overhaul the country’s immigration processing system through the introduction of a comprehensive digital platform using the latest technology.   Minister of Immigration and Border Services Hon. Jamell Robinson The minister made the announcement while delivering his ministerial statement in the Turks and Caicos Islands House

Tessenya Pyne of H.J. Robinson High School in Grand Turk has been crowned champion of the Department of Rehabilitation and Community Supervision’s (DRCS) 3rd Annual Speech Competition, held Tuesday at the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort in Providenciales.   Tessenya Pyne, (centre) of H.J. Robinson High School and winner of the 2026 DRCS Speech competition, is joined by second place winner Jonathon Malabre, (third from right) of the Precious Treasures International School, Mer

The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment has returned home following its deployment to Jamaica as part of the Restoration Jamaica mission, supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa.   Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam with members of the TCI Regiment on their return from Jamaica  The powerful storm caused devastating damage across sections of the island, particularly in the southern parishes of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland,

Bar President Mark Fulford paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam at the Office of the Governor on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.   Bar President Mark Fulford presents an autographed copy of Law & Constitution to Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam during a courtesy call at the Office of the Governor on 24 February 2026. During the meeting, Mr. Fulford presented Her Excellency with an autographed copy of his book, Law & Constitution: Navi

In a compelling display of oratory skill and tourism expertise, Miss A'Navia Mantock of the H. J. Robinson High School emerged victorious over Miss Trenea Wilson of the Marjorie Basden High School at the highly anticipated Tourism Youth Congress Runoff. The event took place on Tuesday, 24th February 2026, at Conference Rooms at Ports of Call, Providenciales.   L-R: Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, Miss A’Navia Mantock, Miss Trenea Wilson and Hon. Rachel Taylor The two young tourism advoc

Carnival Corporation celebrated the 20th anniversary of Grand Turk Cruise Center Wednesday, March 4, marking two decades of partnership, shared growth and memorable vacation experiences in the Turks and Caicos Islands.   The Hon. Premier Charles Misick, Cabinet Members and Carnival executives join celebration of Grand Turk's 20th anniversary Since its inaugural visit in 2006, Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Corporation’s family of world-class cruise lines have brought more

The Ministry of Health and Human Services is advising the public of a recent increase in cases of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) which have been identified through its surveillance system.   Minister of Health Hon. Kyle Knowles  Health facilities have reported a rise in patients presenting with symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue, and headache. A notable proportion of cases has been observed among young children. Where testing has been

The Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Parole Board Modernisation Project, a national reform initiative designed to strengthen parole decision-making, improve public safety outcomes, and support the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals returning to the community.   Parole Board Members, HMP Staff, CEPP Consultants, and DRCS Staff The project, delivered in partnership with the Centre for Effective Public P

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, through the Department of Culture, has launched the Turks and Caicos Islands National Artist Registry, a national digital database designed to formally recognise, catalogue, and promote the country’s creatives.   The Registry provides a central, searchable platform for artists, musicians, cultural practitioners, and creative businesses. It strengthens visibility, supports access to opportunities, and positions Turks and Ca

The Department of Family and Children Services wishes to inform the general public that all individuals who have registered, or intend to register, as Community Cab Drivers are required to complete mandatory Child Safeguarding Training with the Department of Family and Children Services.   This training is essential as Community Cab Drivers will be responsible for transporting minors, including children who may be vulnerable to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm. As such,

Providenciales has a traffic problem. Not a mild inconvenience, not a seasonal annoyance—an everyday, three-times-a-day gridlock that has become part of the island’s identity. Yet, strangely, one of the simplest, most proven solutions used across the Caribbean remains completely absent from our shores: water taxis. Example of a regional water taxi system in operation. Photo Source: Epic Water Taxi Bonaire If you’ve ever visited Freeport, Grand Bahama, you know exactly how sea

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has announced that it will fully finance the redevelopment of the Howard Hamilton International Airport, rejecting all bids previously submitted for the project.   The Howard Hamilton International Airport Premier Washington Misick made the declaration during his State of the State Address on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Shore Club Resort.   Misick told the nation that after reviewing the proposals, the Government determined that

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has announced sweeping changes to its Treatment Abroad Programme (TAP), removing work permit holders from eligibility and tightening residency requirements, citing spiralling costs that officials say are no longer sustainable.   Premier Charles Washington Misick Premier Washington Misick made the announcement during his State of the State Address on Thursday, February 26, at The Shore Club, drawing applause from attendees as he outlined

By Hon. Edwin A. Astwood As Leader of the Opposition, I address all our people of the Turks and Caicos Islands with clarity about the failures that have defined this government’s term after the first year of their second term. Opposition Leader Hon. Edwin Astwood Tonight, the people of our country expect their government to deliver a progress report on all completed government initiatives that would make their lives and the country better. What we got was the same State of th

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s new e-Pay system has generated more than $1 million in revenue in less than two weeks, marking what officials describe as a strong start for the territory’s push toward digital transformation.   Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy Hon. E. Jay Saunders The electronic payment platform, which was officially launched on Friday, February 13, 2026, is already showing impressive uptake among residents and businesses. Speaking to Ne

Up until Wednesday, February 18, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said nine vehicles were towed and 28 tickets issued, while 35 traffic checks were conducted during the second week of Operation Safe Passage.   Officers also issued five warnings of intended prosecution for tint removal and three tint removal notices as part of the exercise.   The impounding of vehicles forms a central pillar of Operation Safe Passage, which officially commenced with a soft launc

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) this past week welcomed international experts leading the consultations on the proposed Virtual Asset Business Bill.   L to R: Maxine Binns, Claudia Coalbrooke and Loretta Joseph.  This marks a key milestone in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ development of a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework for virtual assets.   On Monday, FSC executives and staff received an overview of the draft Paper, including background on virtual

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture will be celebrating Education Week 2026 across the Turks and Caicos Islands from Sunday, March 1st to Friday, March 6th, 2026 under the theme: ‘Where Parents Lead, Children Succeed.’ Minister of Education Hon. Rachel Taylor This theme reinforces the Ministry’s strategic focus on strengthening parental engagement as a cornerstone of student success and school advancement. Education Week 2026 will highlight the collective eff

There is a move by Government to crack down on visa overstayers after such incidences have become increasingly prevalent, while also seeking to clarify inaccuracies being posted online about the measures to be enforced.   Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration Hon. Jamell Robinson in a file photo Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Jamell Robinson, confirmed that a targeted crackdown is coming, particularly focusing in the first instance on sur