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Door-To-Door Delivery For Some Immigration Documents

The days of persons returning to the Barbados Immigration Department (BID) to collect documents has come to an end.

Persons may now opt to have their documents delivered directly to them wherever they are, during working hours.

This follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the BID and the Barbados Postal Service at the Immigration Department’s Princess Alice Highway headquarters.

Chief Immigration Officer, Margaret Inniss, explained that the service was an expansion of that currently being offered for passports, and would include the collection of documents for citizenship, work permits, immigrant status, permanent residence, special entry permit, and the endorsement of passports.

However, Ms. Inniss explained that in cases where specific documents for citizenship required the applicant to take an oath, they would not be delivered as the oath had to be done in the presence of an Immigration Officer.

“Every service where you have to come back and collect a document, we are now in partnership with the Barbados Postal Service, so that they can be delivered to you, at the beach [or] at work,” she said.

Ms. Inniss stated that an 85 per cent reduction in persons returning to the Immigration Department to collect documents was expected as a result of the new service. She added that the other 15 per cent would be those who needed to return to take the oath.

The Chief Immigration Officer also noted that the security of the system was proven after several tests, and zero complaints recorded. As a result, she said the Immigration Department was confident in releasing additional services for delivery.

Acting Postmaster General, Joann Busby, further confirmed that all documents delivered on behalf of the Immigration Department and the Barbados Licensing Authority were in secure packages with a secure seal.

“The only way to open them is to cut them. Once they are placed in that packaging…, they cannot be tampered with. We also have labels in three parts. There is a section for the recipient to sign, [and] that information goes back to Immigration…,” she said, noting that recipients must present a form of identification before receiving their package.

Ms. Busby added that the new service was an expansion of the postal service’s door-to-door delivery service by post express couriers. She explained that since the postal service started delivering passports in 2020, there were steady increases.

“Over the calendar year January to December 2022, the delivery of passports on behalf of the Immigration Department accounted for 60 per cent of post express courier deliveries. If we compared the first quarter for 2022 and 2023, that is January to March, respectively, it shows a 400 per cent increase in deliveries to customers this year,” she said.

Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, pointed out that while the service was not mandatory, it was convenient, and urged residents to use the service.

Mr. Abrahams said the “bulk of persons” applying for Barbados passports now opted to use the service. He noted that it was anticipated that there would be a similar response for the other documents. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Acting Postmaster General, Joann Busby (left) and Chief Immigration Officer, Margaret Inniss, shake hands following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two departments. Looking on is Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams.

Local

Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

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Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph