The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE government yesterday passed a Bill to Amend the Immigration Act that will, among other things, eliminate the Permanent Resident permit limitation period of five years.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the Bill creates a pool of advantages for couples where one spouse is of foreign decent.

He said: “Firstly the new permit will eliminate the limitation period of five years; in other words, persons will no longer find themselves without status after five years and persons approved for such permits will now have the option to apply for citizenship.

“Further, introduction of this permit will be a financial savings of $250 for Bahamian families for an indefinite period, as opposed to every five years and will reduce and virtually eliminate long lines and crowds seeking services at the immigration office.”

Under the new amendment, persons already in the Department of Immigration’s system with spousal permits will also be allowed to apply for an extension.

The current policy is that when the Bahamian spouse of a foreign national applies for a Resident Spouse Permit within the first five years of the marriage, the Department acknowledges receipt of the application in writing and invites both husband and wife to visit the office for an interview.

That application is then reviewed by the Director of Immigration who decides to issue a Resident Spousal Permit, a General Work Permit, or a Permit to Reside.

A General Work Permit, to be renewed annually at a fee of $1,000, is issued in cases where the director is not satisfied that the marriage is legitimate or if the department does not complete its processing of a spousal permit within six months.

The minister said foreign spouses are usually satisfied with this status and the application of citizenship is generally filled within seven years of the marriage.

The Immigration Act was last amended on February 3, 1997.

Amendments to the Foreign Affairs Act were also passed in the evening sitting of the House.