I just renewed my Temporary Residency and this year there were a few changes, as usual. I uploaded the documents as before and when I checked on the Migration website a few days later it said the documents were accepted and requested payment, which I did, and printed off the receipt, which they ask you to take to the Immigration office when you go. A day or two later I checked the site again and this time it showed a date and time for my appointment, which I could accept or decline. I accepted so I don't know what happens if you decline - presumably another appointment is offered. It seems that they don't send you an email any more - the onus is on you to check the site, although after accepting I did receive an automated phone call asking me to accept again, which I did, and the robot confirmed I had already done so.
I was pleased that my appointment was at 1p.m., which gave me plenty of time to drive down from Cabarete and have some lunch before going into the office. I went in a little early - about 12.30 and would you believe I was out of there again with my new Residency card in my hand half an hour later. Those of you who have renewed in the last few years will remember waiting for hours just to make the payment.
The next stage, at the JCE office, was a little worse than before, and I had to wait in line for about an hour to have the photo and fingerprints taken for the cedula. I believe this is because there are many more Haitians applying for cedulas after the Regularization process a couple of years ago.
However, overall, I was pleased with the efficiency of the service - something I never thought I would say about Residency renewal.
Next year it's my first Permanent Residency, so we'll see if it's equally efficient.
I was pleased that my appointment was at 1p.m., which gave me plenty of time to drive down from Cabarete and have some lunch before going into the office. I went in a little early - about 12.30 and would you believe I was out of there again with my new Residency card in my hand half an hour later. Those of you who have renewed in the last few years will remember waiting for hours just to make the payment.
The next stage, at the JCE office, was a little worse than before, and I had to wait in line for about an hour to have the photo and fingerprints taken for the cedula. I believe this is because there are many more Haitians applying for cedulas after the Regularization process a couple of years ago.
However, overall, I was pleased with the efficiency of the service - something I never thought I would say about Residency renewal.
Next year it's my first Permanent Residency, so we'll see if it's equally efficient.