Immigration implements easier system for tourists

The Division of Immigration has implemented a system that makes it easier for tourists to process their papers for an extension of their stay in the Commonwealth.

Immigration Director Melvin Grey told the Saipan Tribune that under the new system that he recently implemented, the processing of tourists’ extension of their stay would only take five to 10 minutes.

“Before, their [tourists] requirement was, if they come in to pay their application fee, they would sit down, and wait if it gets approved. They’re told to come back 30 to 45 days later to get the entry permit, the plastic card,” Grey said.

The entry permit card, he said, does not get printed out fast because of the workload then.

“I changed that. If a tourist comes in wanting an extension, the same requirements are in place but what we are doing to make it quicker for them…is we’re processing it as they sit by the window. We are stamping the passport, showing the extension until whatever date, and they are done in five to 10 minutes…they are out on the streets enjoying their vacation,” Grey said.

As for tourists who have receipts showing they had paid but don’t have the documentation in their passport, Grey said this has been dealt with.

“[Now] it’s 10 minutes a day. We work as they come in. We don’t say come back in the afternoon to pick up your passport. That has not been serving the purpose. We do it as they come in, sit down, [wait for] five to 10 minutes [and] everything is done, have a nice day,” he said.

The response of the tourists has been very good, Grey added.

The new director’s priority is to streamline the work process at Immigration by eliminating steps that are not necessary to make it easier for the public to work with them.

“In doing that, we relieved our workload, made us more efficient, [and have] fewer errors. [It] reduces [the] stress of the employees,” he said.

Starting Wednesday, Grey also implemented a one-stop shopping system for government services within the Immigration Office in San Antonio.

Nonresident workers and others have been allowed to pay the $25 alien registration fee together with other fees associated with applications being submitted by companies or individuals.

Those who seek permits that authorize a stay of 90 days or longer can now pay the $25 alien registration fee and the associated extension filing fee.