(Commonwealth Union)_Saint Lucia is improving its entry process by introducing an online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) form that enables electronic processing of tourists. Beginning November 30, 2022, the new electronic process will replace the handwritten form, delivering real-time information to Immigration, Customs, and Port Health, and greatly reducing arrival passenger processing time.
The George FL Charles Airport (SLU) will be the first point of implementation, followed by Hewanorra International Airport UVF) on December 5, and will be followed by additional ports of entry.
The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission introduced the online ED form, which is sponsored by the 11th European Development Fund. It also aligns with the Government of Saint Lucia’s ambitions to digitally convert public sector services in order to improve the island’s operational capabilities and ease of doing business.
The approach allows tourists to complete and confidentially submit their information at any time before arriving in Saint Lucia because there is no time limit on early submissions. The new process allows travellers to submit their ED forms up to the point of departure, aboard the aircraft, and, by extension, at the airport in Saint Lucia, using available data or Wi-Fi and/or with the assistance of customer service representatives from the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority.
The straightforward four-step procedure needs tourists to;
- Go to stlucia.org/entry
- Fill up and submit the ED form
- Email yourself a QR code
- On arrival, show the QR code (on a device such as a phone, laptop, tablet, or a printed copy) and travel document (passport) to officials.
“We’ve been listening to our nationals, visitors, and investors who want frictionless travel experiences underpinned by trust in the destination’s admission processes. This is a cohesive approach that ensures our commitment to welcoming passengers is of global calibre,” Mr Sean Alexander, Assistant Superintendent in Charge of the Department of Immigration, commented.
The introduction and technical support of the electronic Embarkation/Disembarkation process have been spearheaded by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice and National Security’s Departments of Immigration, Border Control, and Customs, the Ministry of Health, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Saint Lucia Air & Sea Ports Authority, the Prime Minister’s Development Unit (PMDU), and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA).
