Virgin Islands Platinum News ... BVI Daily News You Can Count On

Persons Flooding Immigration With Belonger, Residency Applications

by pltm
Jan 04, 2023
14

(PLTM) - The Immigration Department has seen an increase in applications for persons seeking belongership and residency in the Territory.

Ian Penn, Chief Immigration Officer told the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) that there is still an influx of belonger and residency applications being received by the department. He stated that they are being processed to forward to Cabinet.

Mrs. Elvia Smith-Maduro, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office said that the department received an influx of applications in the current year (2022).

She stated that the applications are screened and the persons are interviewed by the Board and recommendations are made to Cabinet. There are currently two papers pending for Belongers and Residents status.

Meanwhile, speaking to training, Penn stated that the department tries to undertake training for officers to ensure that persons received a welcoming experience. He stated that when complaints are made they are addressed.

Smith-Maduro stated that Members have the opportunity to rate the Department. She stated that there is a greater emphasis on customer service by the Deputy Governor’s Office and as a result there would be more customer service training.

She stated that there would be a personalised message and a certain level of courtesy is expected to be given to Members of the House of Assembly.

Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr Natalio Wheatley recognised the work of the department despite the lack of resources and appealed for the staffing issues to be resolved. He also lobbied for better compensation for Immigration Officers.

-----
Copyright 2023 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reader Opinion

Please note that the opinions posted are the opinions of its author and does not in any way reflect the views of the management, staff, parent company or sponsors of Virgin Islands Platinum News.

Choops

Of course there’s an influx. If things were being done legally the lot of these applications would have been processed when people were eligible. Now you have probably 10-15 years of eligible applicants applying at the same time. Whose fault?

This place is full of drama at all 10 directions!

MsTod

SMH

an influx in 2022 meanwhile my application that been since in there since 2020 cant be advanced up to now! Smh

Sorry....

Don't overcrowd the place.

Unjust system..

How about those applications you have over 5 yrs now and communication as to the status. People here 40 plus yrs still waiting...I can bet most of those new ones who just make 20yrs will get processed before the others thats been there for yrs. Is all about friends and who you know..

BuzzBvi

You have to wonder how many certified copies of the same document this department needs!

Really?

There are some decent officers in that department, but there are some who need to be retrained/removed- from management to entry-level. They need to have written policies on dealing with matters so that people can refer to and understand them. The application processes all need to be electronic. There is no consideration of the customers' time because the officers have the knife and the blade. The department needs to be overhauled and sound processes, policies, and better management need to be implemented URGENTLY!

NOW!

STOP IT! STOP IT!

He lies

"He stated that when complaints are made they are addressed" Made a multi-page complaint against an especially rude, ignorant and lawless immigration officer several years ago - hand delivered it to....and he did nothing, zero, nada with it.

SLEEP IN

hey where U at ,?

Smdh

From the head to the foot need training, especially the second......,they operate in how they think it should be and not by what it is

Really?

@Don'T Care What You Say, did I understand you correctly? Government employees are PUBLIC OFFICERS! If information is clear, policies are transparent and matters are processed timely, there would be no need to be constantly frustrated and trying to get the department to assist.

Don't Care what you say

Everyone wants to dictate what should be. Let the people do their work. People want what they want then get disgruntled if they don't get their way. Where else people could go making demands on Government departments. They cannot even get near the doors. I agree a lot of things need changing. These departments need to be put in a building where people do not have access to heads of departments. There needs to be strict security like other countries. The BVI is too free and friendly.

Bull S%$#!

Not my experience...was told that I needed my ORIGINAL birth certificate AGAIN. Already received non belonger land holder license and work permit exemption. Sent that in twice already ('no I am sorry, it needs to be part of the application to be considered').
So much red tape and paper. There is no one welcoming anyone applying for belonger status. The official policy is kick the hands of those people trying to pull themselves up the ladder to become officially part of the country they have been living in for 20 years.
When time comes that 2/3 of the population gets recognized to vote, they be changes, unless then we get tooth sucking and triplicate paper to fill out

Cruise Schedule

IN PORT - TODAY ( 08 February )

We have no cruise ship in port on this day!

IN PORT - TOMORROW ( 09 February )

We have no cruise ship in port on this day!

Readers Choice

Caribbean Airlines Launches New Service To Tortola

Aug 12, 2024