Get travel documents in order

(CNS): People travelling to the US on the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), including those with a British passport should be aware that it only operates for commercial flights and they need a US visa if travelling on charter or private flights, including an air ambulance. Those nationals looking to travel under the VWP should also apply online for Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). Anyone who may wish to travel to the US either before or immediately after a hurricane must make sure all their travel documents are in order.

It is extremely unlikely that anyone without appropriate documentation will be allowed to enter the United States in any circumstances, according to the Governor’s Office. Copies should be made of key documents, including passports, birth certificates, work permits and drivers’ licenses, and stored in a safe place, separate from the originals. The original documents should be kept with you in waterproof bags or containers during any emergency situation, particularly in the event of an approaching hurricane or tropical storm.

British passport holders should note that an application for a passport renewal has an 8 – 10 week turnaround time. Those people with passports expiring in the next six months should not send them away for renewal unless they have a second passport that could be used in the event of an emergency. US Immigration will accept a machine-readable British passport with at least one month’s validity. British passport holders should note that they are able to renew their passports at a Passport Office in the UK providing the holder is in the UK at the time. Details of this service can be found at http://www.passport.gov.uk/passport_index.asp. Nationals of other countries should also give consideration to applying for a new passport if you intend to visit your home country over the summer. The following nationalities are represented in the Cayman Islands:

Austria: Please contact Martin Richter at richter@candw.ky or by calling 949 9333 during business hours.

Barbados: Please contact Mr Wingrove Hunte on 926 8303, or e-mail hunteWO@candw.ky

Brazil: Please contact Giorgio.Subiotto@ogier.com or call 949 9876 during business hours.

Canada: www.international.gc.ca/jamaica or call the consul on 949 9400, or e-mail cdncon.cayman@candw.ky The Consulate of Canada is located at Landmark Square, 3rd Floor, 64 Earth Close (off West Bay Road past the Strand), Seven Mile Beach. Open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 1pm. Canadian nationals can register while living abroad at www.travel.gc.ca

Germany: Please contact Mrs Christiane Schuette-McField on 945 0115, mcfieldc@candw.ky

Honduras: Please contact Miguel Brown at miguelmbrown@yahoo.com or 939 7914 or 546
3127

India: Please contact Dr Krishna Mani at krisbina@candw.ky or 945 1565 or 916 8709

Jamaica: http://www.jaconsulatecayman.org/m1a.html Jamaican Consulate: Dot Com Centre at 342A Dorcy Drive in the Industrial Park – Contact Elaine Harris on 949 9526. Emergency travel documents can be issued within 24hrs with proper proof of Jamaican nationality and identification, and the passport renewal time is 2 to 3 weeks.

Philippines: Please e-mail Mr. Art Ursua at artursua@candw.ky or call 925-8279

Spain: Please contact Garth Arch at spainconsulate@candw.ky or call 949 2400

Switzerland: For Consular and administrative information, please contact the Consulate General in Atlanta, USA on 1 404 870 2000 or e-mail vertretung@eda.admin.ch Please note that there is a turnaround time for 3 – 4 weeks for new passports. Further information can be found at www.eda.admin.ch/atlanta For on island emergencies please contact Peter Schmid on 949 1841 or 326 4385 or by e-mail peterschmid@candw.ky

UK: Call the Cayman Islands Passport Office at 943-7678 or visit the Office at Sussex House, Elgin Avenue, George Town, or for other consular information contact Melenie Mylrea on 244 2431 during business hours, melenie.mylrea@fco.gov.uk

USA: http://kingston.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html Please contact Dee Duggan on 945 8173, consagency@candw.ky The U.S. Consular Agency is now located at the Cayman Centre, Unit B-1, 118 Dorcy Drive

The Governor’s Office would like to remind all other foreign nationals in the Cayman Islands that the advice above also applies to them. If you have not already done so, you should consider registering with your nearest Consular mission. Further details can be found on your own government web pages.