Appointment system coming March 1 @ Immigration Dept
The announcement was made via a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on the afternoon of Friday, February 23, 2018. The Immigration Department came in for sharp criticism in the past weeks for the longer than usual lines, slow pace and inefficient services.
Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Ian B. Penn, who recently took over from Mrs Geraldine Ritter-Freeman, who was ousted by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), a story first and accurately reported by this news site, explained that, “To maintain an Immigration service that provides exceptional and civil service, we are working extremely hard to address the concerns of our customers. Through this appointment system, which will augment the online application system, we expect to address the long lines and ensure service is dealt with in an organised and efficient manner.”
The GIS release stated that appointments can be scheduled from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. daily and it should be booked “ten days prior to the requested date and submit their full name, preferred time slot, file number and the type of service they are requesting to schedule.”
It further explained that “Persons seeking to acquire residence status, become a belonger, have their entry and landing permits renewed or issued, and process all other immigration services will be asked to schedule their appointments from Monday through Thursday, while Government employees, employees of statutory bodies, students and employees of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and persons exempt from work permits will be allowed to make an appointment on Fridays only.”
Walk-in appointments
Walk-in appointments are allowed Monday to Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. for persons seeking landing permit extensions.
It was on February 16, 2018 that, as promised, Premier Smith, under whose office the Immigration Department falls, announced that “as of Monday, February 19, [2018] any company can have their entry permits processed for the employees by having all the documents for the employees sent from the company directly to the Immigration Department. This would also apply for the owners or managers of companies.”
In the same announcement he also stated that an online application process is being tested and “we expect this to be up and running within the next few weeks.” It is expected that this online system will be merged with the appointment system to further manage the immigration services and reduce the long lines.
27 Responses to “Appointment system coming March 1 @ Immigration Dept”
Batman: Apparently not Robin
just like going to a doctor u made the appointment from yesterday you are there on time yet they still saying wait and you have to get back to do your business.
That won't be any different I think the workers just need to buck up and focus more.