Capital City
Charlotte Amalie
Currency
United States Dollar
(
$
)
Timezone
GMT -4
Payroll Frequency
Tax Year
Employer Tax
Languages
English
Capital City
Charlotte Amalie
Currency
United States Dollar
(
$
)
Timezone
GMT -4
Payroll Frequency
Tax Year
Employer Tax
Languages
English
The U.S. Virgin Islands have three main sectors of employment: mining, logging and construction.
The cost of living in the U.S. Virgin Islands is higher than on the U.S. mainland.
Businesses can only operate smoothly in US Virgin Islands if they comply with local labor laws including drafting compliant employment contract agreements and meeting taxation and payroll obligations. Learn more about the employment laws and regulations in US Virgin Islands below, to avoid any compliance issues.
Employers in the Virgin Islands must adhere to specific labor laws and regulations when drafting employment contracts to ensure compliance with local and federal standards. Key contract requirements include:
We can help you get a new employee started in US Virgin Islands quickly, with a minimum onboarding time of just 1-2 working days. The timeline starts once the employee submits all required information onto the Playroll platform and completes any necessary local authority registrations.
For non-nationals, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) may add up to three extra days. Additional time may be needed for follow-ups on this assessment.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, a probationary period is not legally mandated for all employment situations. However, under the Virgin Islands Wrongful Discharge Act, most employees are subject to a 90-day probationary period.
Standard working hours are generally 40 hours per week, with 8 hours per day being typical for most industries. Employers should also comply with federal and territorial labor laws regarding breaks, rest periods, and maximum working hours to ensure compliance and maintain a fair work environment.
Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Certain exemptions may apply based on job roles and duties.
The payroll cycle in US Virgin Islands is usually Monthly, with employees being paid as stipulated in employment contract.
Work permits and visas in the US Virgin Islands are essential for employers hiring foreign talent. The process involves initiating applications through the Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL) and adhering to federal immigration requirements via the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Key visa types include the H-1B for skilled professionals, L-1 for intracompany transfers, O-1 for extraordinary talent, TN for professionals under USMCA, and H-2B for temporary non-agricultural workers. Employers must navigate a detailed process involving proof of qualifications, labor certifications, and compliance with immigration laws while budgeting for application fees and processing times.
In the Virgin Islands, government sector employees are entitled to 26 days of paid annual leave, while private sector employees have no statutory entitlement, with leave policies determined by individual employers.
An Employer of Record (EOR) helps businesses manage annual leave, paid time off (PTO), and local holidays across the globe, including in US Virgin Islands. By partnering with an EOR, companies ensure full compliance with local labor laws in US Virgin Islands when it comes to annual leave and time-off management. EOR providers like Playroll offer platforms that simplify tracking and managing employee time off in US Virgin Islands. By outsourcing this responsibility to Playroll, you can streamline leave management, ensure compliance, and free up time to focus on other business priorities.
Disclaimer
THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). Playroll does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect Playroll’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. Playroll makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.
Copied to Clipboard
Where to next?
Your “everything you ever needed to know” guides to compliant global employment around the world.