Paper departure and landing cards are becoming a thing of the past like stamps in your passport.
Across the Caribbean, more countries and territories are entering the digital age by setting up electronic platforms where visitors and residents can upload their information to make their arrival and departure process easier.
Dominica is the latest country to have its digital immigration platform go live on October 18.
The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) stated that travellers arriving in or departing from the Eastern Caribbean Island can easily visit the website to submit their information.
After doing so, they will receive a confirmation along with a QR code.
Submissions can be done up to three days before arrival.
Tourism Director Marva Williams said “by introducing online immigration forms, we are taking a significant step towards modernising our travel processes and enhancing the overall visitor experience. We believe this initiative will simplify entry into Dominica and showcase our commitment to providing exceptional service to our guests.”
Here are the Caribbean islands that have online landing and departure platforms:
· Aruba: ED Card Aruba
· Barbados: Travel Form
· Bermuda: Bermuda Arrival Card
· Curaçao: DICard
· St. Lucia: Travel Slu
· St. Kitts: KNA Travel Form
· Jamaica: Enter Jamaica
· Bahamas: BSW Registration
· St. Maarten: Entry SX
· Tortola: Embarkation Card
· Dominican Republic: eTicket
A few countries have signalled their intention to scrap the paper system soon.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is in the process of creating their ed card platform although no time frame has been given for its implementation.
Trinidad and Tobago’s finance minister announced the twin-island nation will launch its immigration portal next year.
During his budget speech on September 30, Minister Colm Imbert said the government has approved the implementation of a digital embarkation and disembarkation card, which will focus on data capture that aligns with international best practices.
He said in 2025, a legal team will work on facilitating the process by assessing requirements and determining the specifications needed for the online E/D Card system, reviewing similar implementations in other countries, identifying the necessary legislative changes and evaluating model legislation and industry standards to guarantee that the online forms meet data protection and privacy requirements.
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