The Barbados Immigration Department will resume its full work programme from Monday, March 1, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritise health and safety of staff and visitors to the office, a number of safety measures are being implemented.
An appointment only system will be in place for all applications for passports and status/services. However, persons who require urgent passports should call 535-4150 or 832-4102. Persons who had appointments for Extensions of Stay scheduled during the period of the national pause will be notified of their new date accordingly.
All other appointments may be scheduled by visiting the department’s website.
Chief Immigration Officer, Wayne Marshall, has also advised that customers are not required to make appointments for the payment of fees or the collection of Barbados and non-national passports.
However, he stated that Barbados passports should be collected on the specified date, or any time after the specified date. In addition, nationals are encouraged to utilise the passport delivery system now available through the Barbados Postal Service.
Mr. Marshall also noted that the department will resume its Saturday service from Saturday, March 6, for passport collection, the payment of fees and applications for extension of stays.
The latter will be done by appointment only, and customers should send an email to the department, or call 832-4126, 832-4127 or 832-4128.
All other queries should be sent to official email addresses or made via the telephone number listed on the department’s website.
Mr. Marshall also outlined that visitors to the office will be required to follow all COVID-19 protocols. These include temperature checks, the sanitising of hands on arrival, the wearing of masks while conducting business, and maintaining social distancing of at least six feet from other persons.
In addition, only those doing business with the department will be allowed to enter. And, Mr. Marshall has requested that they travel only with items necessary for transacting their business to reduce the time spent being screened at the scanner.