The Customer Service Department within the Ministry of Education, Labour, Employment and Customer Services has announced the launch of an Information KIOSK at the Providenciales office lobby, as well as an Online Portal, that allow customers to track in real time the status of their application submitted to the Customer Services Department.
A statement from the stated: “Over the years, we have heard the complaints from the general public regarding the long lines and the constant requirement to visit the Customer Service Department to inquire into the status of applications for Work Permits, status of PRC Applications, status of Birth Certificates or BOTC Passports, or other immigration related products for which an application was submitted through the Customer Services Department.
“We appreciate that the current approach of requiring persons to visit the office to inquire into the status of their application is not business friendly. We admit that it is time consuming and can be frustrating.
“In an effort to better serve the community, the Customer Service Department has developed this online portal that would permit applicants to enter their names and ascertain the status of their application from the comfort of their office.”
In addition, the government said the Customer Service Department has installed a Kiosk at the waiting area of their office in Providenciales, with access to the online platform through which visitors to the office may check to see if the product they have applied for is ready and available, thus reducing waiting time and the need to check at the collection window.
Minister, Hon. Rachel Taylor, reacting to the achievement, stated:
“while there have been complaints by many members of the public regarding the apparent delay in receiving a decision, whether it be on their work permit application or PRC or Status Card, we are committed to working assiduously to improve our service to our clients. It is also of concern that we have 380 National TCI Status Cards and 168 Work Permit Cards which are ready for collection over a period of time. We wish to encourage all persons to ensure that they collect their product from the Customer Services Office in Grand Turk or Providenciales.”
In the meantime, the ministry said at this pilot stage, the portal will be available to agencies that provide volume service to the department, which will enable active use of the portal, identify issues and correct all the bugs before making the portal available to the general public.
It said however, that in the meantime, the general public will have access to the portal using the KIOSK which is set up at the Customer Service Department.