Saint Lucia unveils a seamless Electronic ED Form entry process

BY PAUL JUNOR

There are great things about Saint Lucia that make it a favourite travel location in the Caribbean. Saint Lucia is one of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles and can be found midway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago. It is known as the “Helen of the West Indies” and its unique mountains, specifically Pitcoin Mountains, have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the presence of a tropical rainforest and a drive-in volcano. These as well as the lovely beaches are powerful attractions.

In order to ensure that visitors to Saint Lucia enjoy a simple and easy entry, a press release revealed that an online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) form would be introduced starting March 1^st, 2023.

This will ensure that there is a seamless entry process that will enable travellers to be electronically processed. This has been largely done due to the work of: the Department of Immigration, Border Control and Customs of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Justice and National Security, The Ministry of Health, The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Saint Lucia Air & Sea Ports, The Prime Minister’s Development Unit (PMDU) and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA).

The change from a written form to an online ED form was funded by the 11^th European Development Fund and delivered by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This online ED form reflects other changes that are being made by the Government of Saint Lucia that will involve a digital conversion of public sector service. The press release outlines this as a positive step towards the continued improvement of the island’s operational competencies and simplicity of conducting business.

There is hope that the transition to this electronic online ED form will decrease the processing time of travellers to Saint Lucia that will be arriving at the George F.L Charles Airport (SLU), and the Hewanorra International Airport (UVF). Only those travellers who are traveling by air will have to complete the ED form, and it is not necessary for boarding. It will make the process smoother if incoming passengers submit the form before reaching Saint Lucia. Failure to do this will require the completion of the written form, which will be given by the airline or upon arrival in Saint Lucia.

The simple four-step process that travellers must complete involve the following:

• Visit website: www.stlucia.org/entry
• Complete and submit the user-friendly ED form
• Receive a QR code by email
• Present the QR code on a device such as: a phone, laptop, tablet etc., or a printed copy and travel document (passport) to officials on arrival

Sean Alexander, Assistant Superintendent in Charge of the Department of Immigration states in the press release, “We continuously strive to secure our borders and provide quality service to travellers at our points of entry while protecting the safety and security of our nationals, visitors, and business associates with a reliable immigration system. In advancing our seamless entry process, the written form will be phased out as of April 12^th, 2023.”

One of the most exciting events coming up in Saint Lucia is the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival between May 5^th -14^th, 2023. As a premier jazz and arts event, it will feature:  Sting, the 17-time Grammy award singer, Shaggy, the reggae/dancehall icon, Ronald Boo Hinkson, Barbara Cadet, Teddyson John, and other artists.