Immigration and civil status services on Praslin now under one roof

“It will take some time to install the equipment to make the identity cards and for our staff to be properly trained,” Ms Lesperance noted.

Other services that are not presently available at the island’s customer service centre are applications for residence permits and citizenship.

The present layout of the customer service centre includes a customer care and cashier unit on the ground floor of the complex as well as the secretariat, wedding area and office for declaration of birth and death that are located on the first floor.

Ms Lesperance explained that the additional spaces will accommodate the essential services that the Praslinois customers are in need of and will greatly facilitate their transactions.

“When the two offices were located in Baie Ste Anne and Grand Anse, some people found that they had to go back and forth between the two offices before they could complete their transactions, which was not ideal. For instance if one had to apply for a passport, they had to pass by the office at Baie Ste Anne and then go to civil status in Grand Anse to get the necessary documents such as a birth certificate. Now they can get everything done in one go.”

She also added that the employment department office is also located in the complex and this would further facilitate individuals or businesses that are applying for gainful occupation permits.

With the new centre fully operational, the departments of immigration and civil status are advising their customers to remain mindful of the health advisories currently in place such as social distancing and maintaining good hygiene.

Similarly to the civil status office on Mahé, the customer service centre on Praslin will not be hosting any civil wedding until further notice. 

Elsie Pointe