The Immigration Department is working to address the issue of the long lines and will be implementing an appointment system from March 1.

Senior Immigration Officer, Mr. Ian Penn said the department recognises the inconvenience caused to individuals and businesses and a system will be put in place to allow customers to schedule appointments based on the Immigration service they are seeking to resolve.

Mr. Penn said, “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.”

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE in a statement on February 16 stated that his Government recognised the inconvenience when persons have to wait for extended periods of time at the Immigration Department to renew entry permits or extensions.

Premier Smith also made mention of an online application system which is currently being tested to be implemented in a few weeks.

The online system will be merged with the appointment system to allow persons to make appointments to have their immigration matters addressed in a timely manner. “This will add to the efficiency of the application process at the Immigration Department,” Premier Smith said.

Appointments will be offered in a series of three-hour slots each day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.

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.

            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.

Persons seeking landing permit extensions will be allowed to have walk-in appointments from Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Persons are asked to schedule their appointments 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.

Persons whose permits have expired are invited to schedule an appointment as promptly as possible to have them processed.

For more information on the upcoming appointment system, contact the Immigration Department at 468-3701 ext. 4700.

To see the full interview with Senior Immigration Officer, Mr. Ian Penn on the upcoming Application Process view the Government's SnapComms programme on Facebook and Youtube at username @BVIGovernment.