Passport Processing Resumes, Delays Expected
The Department of Immigration has resumed processing passport applications, noting that there were over 450 outstanding passport applications in process before the cyber-attack last month, so ”until the application backlog returns to normal levels, the processing timeline may take up to 20 weeks.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Economy and Labour is pleased to advise that the Department of Immigration [DOI] has resumed processing passport applications.
“Unfortunately, there were over 450 outstanding passport applications that were in process just before the recent cyber-attack, which prevented system access and the complete processing of these applications. While the systems were down, passport applications could not be processed.
“Despite being unable to access any systems, the Department of Immigration continued to process emergency medical passport applications, and staff members reviewed new applications for completeness and provided guidance to ensure completeness so they could be submitted once the systems became operational again.
“The required systems are now back online, and the processing of applications is a priority. To support the processing of these passports, over the past two weeks, the Department of Immigration has been recruiting, and two new members will be joining the passport team.
“Regrettably, while progress is underway, the Department of Immigration can advise that until the application backlog returns to normal levels, the processing timeline may take up to 20 weeks.
“Emergency passports are available; however, due to limited physical book stocks, they are issued only when the applicant must travel overseas for urgent medical reasons. The application guidelines for emergency passports are available online at gov.bm/department/immigration.
“Individuals urgently needing a passport for non-medical reasons are advised to apply for a British Passport to avoid delays.
“The Ministry understands and appreciates these delays impact Bermudians’ ability to plan and book travel and can assure the public that the Department of Immigration remains committed to the task and asks for the public’s patience and understanding as they work to complete the processing of passports as soon as possible.”
Thank goodness for British passports.
Lies. Lies. Lies. Cast your mind back to when they were holding passport applications hostage during 2021 and baking the UK when ut wad taking upwards of 12 weeks fir their staff to actually start looking at backlogs BEFORE sending it to the UK for another separate delay
“the processing timeline may take up to 20 weeks …”
What about the rest of the wait? Is the suggestion that the other 20 weeks of the waiting period is the fault of the British Government?
Half a year to renew your passport. Holy cow.
More like 3/4 of a year, but yes.
Another smokescreen. It has been taking 22 weeks for a while, nothing to do with the cyber-attack. Incompetence in the office, I would guess.
Don’t blame the UK. I applied to renew my British Passport on 18 October and it is already printed and on the way to me.
Low in Stock, Slow in action. Description of Government to a tee. Except when collecting their money. Oh, that shows they CAN move quick!