(CMR) With the processing of passports expected to take weeks, the public is being reminded to apply for the documents with sufficient time if they intend to travel.
The Passport and Corporate Services Office (PCSO) reminds Caymanians and residents alike, who are likely to travel in the coming months to ensure travel documents are all in order before making any travel arrangements, particularly during the busy travel times during Easter and summer holidays.
Summer holidays are almost here and 1 June also signals the start of the Hurricane Season and preparation starts well in advance. So the time is now to ensure you have valid passports and visas, whether for transiting through or visiting countries.
Whether traveling on a British Overseas Territories/Cayman Islands (BOTC/CI) or a British Citizen passport, applications for new or renewal of these passports take a number of weeks. Please ensure sufficient time for the processing of documents. You may not be able to travel otherwise.
Similarly, travel to the US requires valid visas from the US authorities. Be aware that there are restrictions on the grant of the US Visa Waiver, as it is not available for holders of British Citizen passports or someone whose police record lists a criminal conviction.
Don’t be caught off guard; be prepared.
The PCSO is located in Sussex House, the building beside the Customs and Border Control Headquarters and opposite the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue.
The PCSO is open from Monday to Friday, telephone #s are 943-7678 and 649-7678. Online, visit the PCSO at https://www.gov.ky/pocs/
Passport Office Advisory for Travelling BOTC/CI Holders
If you hold a British Overseas Territory Citizen/Cayman Islands (BOTC/CI) passport, a number of processes apply before you travel.
Anyone traveling to the United States on a BOTC/CI passport must ensure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond departing from the US. As per US requirements, BOTC/CI passports must be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the intended stay in the US.
Equally importantly, it takes eight to 10 weeks for the Passport and Corporate Services Office (PCSO) to process applications for a new or the renewal of a BOTC/CI passport. The process for replacing a lost or stolen BOTC/CI passport can take longer.
Also to note, the US Visa Waiver processing for a BOTC/CI passport holder requires three working days. Additionally, the US Visa Waiver is not available to any passport holder whose police record lists a criminal conviction.
Once the PCSO receives a US Waiver application, the applicant receives a date and time for collection. The applicants must ensure that the waiver granted is picked up as scheduled.
Applicants for new BOTC/CI passports or passport renewals will be notified by the Cayman Islands Postal Service or the PSCO for the collection of their passports.
It is important to note that PCSO employees are not authorized to open the office after-hours or during weekends to issue passports or other travel documents which were not collected, as advised, during working hours.
The PCSO is located in Sussex House, the building beside the Customs and Border Control Headquarters and opposite the Government Administration Building on Elgin Avenue. The PCSO is open from Monday to Friday, telephone #s are 943-7678 and 649-7678.
Online, visit the PCSO at https://www.gov.ky/pocs/
Advisory for Traveling British Citizen Passport Holders
Do you have a British Citizen passport? Do you wish to travel to or transit through the United States? If yes, please ensure your relevant travel documents are in order before making your travel plans.
Do note that a visa waiver for traveling to the US is not available to British Citizen passport holders. They have to obtain a valid US Visa to travel there.
However, there is another option. If British Citizen passport holders do not have a valid US Visa, they must obtain an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
