PICA Increases Work Stations to Cope With Persons Applying for Passports

To cope with the number of persons applying for passports, the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) has had to increase the number of work stations from 27 to 39 across its offices islandwide.

In addition, the agency halted its receipt of applications much earlier than intended at some of its offices, as the number of customers swelled beyond capacity.

At mid-day today (May 19), PICA saw  approximately 762 customers applying for passports, representing 80 per cent of the 945 persons served at all its locations for the entire day last Tuesday.

As a result of the increased demand, the agency has had to institute measures in order to allow for the safety of customers, as the carrying capacity at each facility is limited.  These quotas will be effected at locations as follows for the rest of the week:

PICA is therefore reminding persons who do not need to renew their passports at this time to refrain from doing so, as it will only serve customers with passports that expire within the next 6 months. The agency is also accepting applications from first-time customers.

The agency is reminding customers who applied for passports at its headquarters, to collect their passports at the Police Officers’ Club on Hope Road, from Wednesday, May 20, 2015 to Friday May 22, 2015 only.  PICA will return to issuing passports at its head office on Constant Spring Road on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, when the new prices take effect.