Ministry: Passport delays will be resolved soon

The Ministry of Home Affairs today provided an update on the status of the Department of Immigration’s passport processing, which has been delayed in recent days.

 A Ministry spokesperson said today, “First and foremost, the Ministry takes this opportunity to apologise to the public for any inconvenience caused. We can confirm that the Department of Immigration has been unable to process passports due to a technical issue with its main printer. We will continue to receive passport applications for processing, however as a result of the technical issues, we cannot guarantee that passports will be ready for collection on the due date.

“We can also advise that a new printer has been secured and has arrived on Island. Technicians are standing by to complete the required installation work. The Department will provide an update to applicants within 24 hours prior to the date of collection.”

The spokesperson continued, “Notwithstanding the current printing concerns, persons who possess a UK Passport may still be able to travel. Such persons are encouraged to contact the Department of Immigration to confirm whether use of their UK passport is permissible. They should indicate their choice of airline and destination. 

“The Department of Immigration is making every effort to address the matter so as to avoid any further inconvenience to the public. We want to thank the public in advance for their continued cooperation and patience.”