It is likely that more than a few people here in Cayman have visited the immigration department at some point and they are usually confronted with a mass of people waiting for their numbers to be called in order to submit documents and get their questions answered. Some good advice from someone who spends most of their working time in the Immigration Department is to take a good book or your iPod with you as the wait can be lengthy.

However, this time consuming experience may soon be a thing of the past – Immigration has launched a new online system. This new system has replaced the previous online system launched in 2001; which was seen to need improvement and one that offered the user only very limited information. The new system is already running in its first phase which allows the user to review the status of applications and find out application related information such as the conditions applied, term limits and dependant details. It also allows the user to export information into spreadsheets but perhaps the most useful tool is the prompt facility which lists the details of all permits soon to expire. Each new phase of the development is to become more sophisticated with additional features, it is said that the user will be able to make online payments and submit applications also, they are also planning on having a mail facility where permit letters etc can be downloaded and printed off, this would benefit companies greatly.

A conference was held at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman last Tuesday where Immigration officials, along with the Project Manager Mick Whitworth, provided a useful tutorial demonstrating the new online system wand answering any questions.

The online system is only accessible to companies at the moment but it may also be developed in the future for the general public to use. It seems that Immigration’s ultimate aim is to eventually have a virtual online immigration centre where every aspect can be managed.