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Last Updated: Aug 17, 2020 - 10:31:25 PM |
The Passport Office has continued to process applications online via its E-Passport portal. Currently, in-person service is available by appointment only and only in the case of emergencies. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Passport Office’s online e-passport portal for adult passports has continued with steady progress despite the lockdowns imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officer in Charge of the Passport Office, Mrs. Allison Rolle said that Bahamians have continued to use the portal. The portal was launched in December 2019.
“The portal has been very active during the lockdown. There was a decline in April, however, activity increased again during the month of May,” said Mrs. Rolle. “Even though we are in a lockdown situation, the Passport Office is still operating, albeit with a skeleton staff at this time.”
She said that from the launch December 9, 2019 to March 31, 2020, the number of applications processed was 2,825. Applications processed from April to 10th August 2020 was 3,765.
(BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
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Plans for the expansion of Online services on behalf of minors with e-passports is scheduled for Fall 2020.
The Passport Office is currently open three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) for the collection of passports.
“We are currently working by an appointment system for first time applications, such as in the case for infants and the renewal of manual passports (but only in absolutely necessary cases).”
Appointments for persons with Manual Passports are being re-scheduled to a later date; exceptions are made only in the event of emergencies.
Support for the online portal, however, is available daily as persons are applying from all around the world.
(BIS Photo/Derek Smith)
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The Ministry reminds the public to check passports periodically and make plans to renew passports six months prior to the expiration date
Visitors to the Passport Office must observe all the government protocols in place for the pandemic, including the wearing of masks, use of hand sanitizer before entering the office and adhering to social distance markings etc.
As soon as possible, the government plans to extend its services to the Family Islands with satellite offices in Eleuthera, Long Island, Exuma and Inagua.
Currently passport offices are stationed in Abaco and Grand Bahama, however, services are limited due to the lockdown on Abaco and Grand Bahama. Services on those islands are only available as permitted by the COVID-19 Emergency Orders.
For inquiries, the public can call the Passport Office at 397-2388 or 397-2330 or e-mail can be sent to: epassportoffice@bahamas.gov.bs
The online portal can be accessed at the following website: mofa.gov.bs
© Copyright 2020 by thebahamasweekly.com
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