THE Department of Labor and Immigration says it intends to reduce the processing time of workers’ entry permits from three months to one month as part of the move to improve the business climate in the CNMI.
“Our goal is to do it in one month. We are doing all necessary adjustments to meet this goal,” DOLI Secretary Joaquin A. Tenorio said during the recent consuls general meeting.
DOLI, however, would need additional personnel, he said. Necessary equipment would also be needed to speed up the processing.
He said having more personnel would be better than requiring its staff to do overtime work everyday.
DOLI has a total of 207 employees. They are assigned to seven divisions or units.
Based on its current budget of $7.3 million, $5.2 million is allotted for personnel and $2 million for operations and other purposes.
Tenorio said the department would also expedite the processing of business permits as well as accommodate requests by businesses to get new staff before an “exiting” employee leaves the CNMI.
“We’re looking into the possibility of allowing the replacement come to get oriented before the former staff leaves,” he said.
The government would make necessary amendments or regulations in the existing laws to carry out the changes.
This effort is part of the administration’s goal to make CNMI a favorite business and tourist destination in the region.
Earlier, DOLI lifted the authorization to board travel requirement which citizens from 65 restricted countries had to comply with before traveling to the CNMI.
Instead of the ATB, which could only be used once by a tourist, DOLI will issue 30-day visitors visas.
For foreigners whose countries have consulates in the CNMI, a visa will no longer be required.
