The public enquiry office at the New Jetty is now operating with reduced opening hours.
The counter – for Customs and Excise, Population Management, and Passport & Immigration enquiries – will operate a reduced, afternoons-only service on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 16:00.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the customer counter will be open, as usual, from 8:45 to 12:00.
The Disclosure & Vetting Services counter remains open from 8.30 to 15:00 Monday to Friday.
A spokesperson said staff at the office has experienced “significantly increased workloads” due to the summer months bringing extra passengers who need clearance at entry.
The new times will be in effect for at least three months, after which it will be reviewed.
Training
On top of the increased workload, immigration staff will have to take on training in September and October in preparation for the Online Passport Project going live in November.
This project will make applying for a passport easier, but all immigration staff are required to be ready to ensure it works as well as possible.
Customers of Passports, Immigration and Nationality & Customs and Excise customers can continue to visit the counter when open, phone or email the department they wish to speak to.
Population Management customers are still able to phone and email, and can make appointments if necessary,
Passport application forms can be found at a number of alternative locations in the island, a list of which can be found on the gov.gg website.
