The Online Work Permit System has been launched in the British Virgin Islands and is expected to streamline the process between the Immigration and the Labour and Workforce Development departments, reducing the need for conducting in-person business.
The ceremony was virtually held on Monday July 12, where the public was granted the opportunity to see for the first time how to utilise the system.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Labour and Immigration Vincent Wheatley said the new system aligns with the government’s plans to make doing business in the BVI easy, as they aim to take as many services as possible online to allow for the conducting of remote business.
He said the initiative also falls in the overall goal to modernise the Labour and Immigration departments through these reforms.
“This is a small part of many things to come. We have spent the last few months creating the legislative foundation to make these things possible. This is just the beginning. Our aim is to make doing business with the government efficient, speedy, cost effective, and comfortable. With the online processing, not only should it cut down on time, it should also cut down on the expense of going into the office,” the minister stated.
He added, “As we are in the middle of a COVID crisis right now, now more than ever it’s very important that we cut down person to person contact. This is a very timely initiative, not only does it make doing business easier, it also makes it safer.”
ONLY PAYMENTS TO BE CONDUCTED IN-PERSON
Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn also spoke on the system, stating that it allows for both employers and employees to complete the application process online, only now having to physically visit the offices to make payments.
He described the system as a quick win for both the customers and staff of the two departments.
“There will be no more manual work and physical files taking up precious office space. This will be a thing of the past. It will also limit physical contact with services which will be a plus considering the current climate where the need and value of social distancing is important,” Penn stated.
“In addition, we also expect that in times of natural disasters or any other pandemic, that the department will be able to render services no matter the situation. With the launch of this new initiative there may be some glitches, but we will endeavour to work through them. This is a working progress,” Penn further said.
Persons interested in learning how to utilise the system can visit the government’s webpage and download the user manual which is in pdf format.