--Thursday, 16 February 2006--

Immigration procedures to change

The crew and passengers of vessels entering the territory's ports are required to follow new clearance procedures effective March 1.

Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Dennis Jennings said that, under the new procedures, persons will be required to clear immigration before being processed by other local authorities.

Mr. Jennings said the arrangement "makes for the right process," with respect to the proper clearance of crew and passengers of private, charter, and cargo vessels.

The deputy chief immigration officer said the Immigration Department is working closely with Her Majesty's Customs to facilitate a smooth transition to the new procedure.

"The Immigration Department continues to work with all of its counterpart agencies to ensure the service provided to the public is conducted in a manner that is modernised and more efficient, while at the same time providing the necessary security for the BVI," he said.

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