Immigration Dept launches e-Visa

The Immigration Department has launched the Electronic Visa application aimed at providing an expedient and paperless work when acquiring a visa.

Speaking during the launch in Lusaka today, Immigration Department Director General, Moola Milomo says when fully implemented, the e-visa has the potential to enhance monitoring of migrants and tapping of revenue collection for the national treasury.

Mr. Milomo says the online visa will undoubtedly add value to the broader management capacity, adding that not only is the department contributing to the internal security of the country, but also to the sustainable social economic development through revenue collection.

He points out that the Immigration Department has been consistent in its contribution to the national treasury, stating that in the past five years, the department collected seven hundred and eight million, seven hundred and thirty eight thousand kwacha in terms of revenue, adding that what was collected was well above target.

Mr. Milomo states that the Department of Immigration attaches great importance to information technology enhancements that promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services.

And in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Colonel Panji Kaunda, Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila says the benefits of implementing the e-visa facility will include efficient provision of public services, better use of human resources, increased training levels and public service competences.

Mr. Mwila says e-Visa will also offer outreach benefits to visitors and tourists such as easy access to information about foreign nationals, streamlining of visa application processes and many other economic benefits for tourists.

He adds that the Department of Immigration being a public service institution operates in the public trust and must constantly earn trust through the provision of services that are of high quality and more efficient.

Mr Mwila notes that initiatives aimed at minimizing the need for human contact with clients reduces temptation for corruption and thefts of the much needed government resources.