DEPARTURE OF PERSONS FROM THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

The Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services in collaboration with the Departments of Labour and Immigration would like to remind the General Public that in accordance with Section 32 and 33 of the Immigration Ordinance of the 2018 Revised Laws of Turks and Caicos, Permits are authorized by the Director of Immigrations and the Board or Commissioner of Labour for persons to reside or engage in gainful occupations and these Permit are issued with conditions or restrictions set out in the Permit. Full adherence to the conditions is expected.

The public is further reminded of the following immigration offences:

• In accordance with Section 102 (d) of the Immigration Ordinance of the 2018 Revised Laws of Turks and Caicos, it is an offence to remain within the Islands beyond the time permitted by an Immigration Officer.
• A person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or to both; and if the offence is a continuing one, to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part of a day on which the offence has continued.
• A person commits an offence in accordance with section 19 (1) (g) and (2) of the prescribed ordinance, which states that a person shall not engage in any gainful occupation in the islands unless in the possession of a valid permit issued under section 31,39 or 40, which a person shall not employ whether on his own behalf or on behalf of another person whether under a contract of employment or a contract for services who under subsection (1) is prohibited from engaging in any gainful occupation.

Please note this press release applies to the following categories:

1. Individuals whose work permit has expired and current employer does not intend to renew;
2. Individuals whose work permit has been cancelled;
3. Individuals who are currently unemployed, and will be unemployed for several months after the curfew has been lifted;
4. If your temporary work permit has expired
5. Persons whose visitor’s visa has expired and you remained in the country illegally

Visitors are reminded to seek extensions from the Immigration Departments to cover period of stay.

We hasten to add that this does not apply to the following category of persons:

1. Turks and Caicos Islanders;
2. British Overseas Territory Citizens;
3. Holders of Permanent Residence Certificates and endorsees;
4. Holders of valid Residence Permits and endorsees;
5. Holders of current Work Permits and endorsee or those currently in the renewal process;
6. Permits that remain at appeal status;

Hon Vaden Delroy Williams, Minister with responsibility for Immigration and the Departments of both Immigration and Labour and Employment Services, in his comments stated that now that our borders and that of other countries are opened to international air traffic, all persons residing and or working in the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally should make plans to return to their home country or to any other country, which would welcome them or face legal consequences for their actions.

He went on to thank all concerned for their full cooperation and compliance.