Immigration Board ClearingBacklog of Work Permits and Renewals
Mrs. SherryBodden-Cowan
A recently launched Immigration Board driveaimed at clearing away a backlog of applications has so far seenthat office being able to complete processing of all submissionsup to May.
A Government Information Service (GIS) releasesaid that during April, May and June the Board considered 3,946Work Permit renewal applications.
"The board is on track to achieve itsgoal of processing all remaining work permit renewal applicationswithin six to eight weeks on an ongoing basis," the releasesaid.
Immigration Board Chairman, Sherri Bodden-Cowansaid there were two main factors causing the backlogs: "Firstly,in the latter half of the year there is always a marked increasein the number of new work permit applications prior to the onsetof the winter tourist season. Secondly, the daunting volume ofapplications for the grant and renewal of work permits has contributedto the problem."
To ensure that all applications can be processedmore efficiently, the Board has implemented the following schedulefor considering applications.
Mondays:
-new work permit applications.
Tuesdays:
-six month work permit applications (dealtwith by a sub-committee of the Board).
-meetings with members of the public. (Requests for appointmentscan be made by calling the Immigration Board. The Chairman orDeputy Chairman reviews all requests and appointments are scheduledfor matters that cannot be resolved by telephone).
Wednesdays:
-work permit renewals (dealt with by a sub-committeeof the Board).
Thursdays:
-consideration of Business Plans submittedunder the Business Plan Regulations (sub-committee of the Board).These meetings began on 5 July.
First Monday of everyother month:
-permanent Residence or Caymanian Statusapplications will be considered by the full Board. Meetings forthe remainder of this year are scheduled for August, October andDecember.
Last Wednesday of eachmonth:
-Applications for work permit variationsor amendments will be considered. In compliance with the ImmigrationLaw, priority will be given to applications from persons marriedto Caymanians by also dealing with such applications, if necessary,on Monday's meeting.
"The Board's new schedule gives usa systematic framework within which to cover all the work. However,the schedule will be flexible enough to allow changes if the numberof applications received demands it," said Ms Bodden-Cowan.
"The Board is committed to clearingall backlogs and to reducing processing times, particularly forwork permit renewals. Both the Board's Secretariat under Ms LizWalton as well as Board Members A.J. Miller, Debbie McTaggart,Anthony Scott, Donnie Smith and Billy Reid have given many extrahours of their time to bringing these applications up to dateand should be commended for their hard work and dedication."She added: