THE Immigration, Citizenship, and Passport Services Division of the Ministry of National Security will begin the transition to become an executive agency with the official designation becoming effective on June 1, the ministry said yesterday.

Permanent secretary Gilbert Scott said, however, that the transition would take place over two years.

Scott, according to a ministry statement, said the move to executive agency status would allow the office greater autonomy in the management and delivery of its operations.

The agency’s chief executive officer, he added, would have delegated managerial authority, and would be held directly accountable for achieving agreed targets, economically, efficiently and effectively.

“This will help the agency bring increased accountability and transparency to immigration, passport and citizenship operations, and deliver an increased level of service to customers, while playing a key role in protecting Jamaica’s interests,” Scott said.

The permanent secretary said, too, that there would be a number of changes, including a change of name to the Passport, Immigration Citizenship Agency (PICA).

Other changes include improved business processes supported by information technology to facilitate the smooth and fast processing of all passport, immigration and citizenship applications.

Meanwhile, senior director Carol Charlton has been appointed acting CEO, while director of the Passport Division, Hugh Thomas, has been appointed acting

senior Director.

Scott said it is projected that when full executive agency status is attained, more than 500 persons will

be employed, an increase from the nearly 380 currently on staff.