Online appointments system causing delays

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Chile’s Immigration Department and Investigations Police have implemented a new online appointments system for all immigration-related services, including work permit applications, collecting and stamping visas, visa registration and obtaining police certificates.

What does the change mean? Applicants will no longer have to wait in line for an attention number at Immigration or Police offices. However, the change has led to some delays in booking the appointments, in part because the demand for appointments is high and in part because applicants and immigration agents are not permitted to book more than one per week.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The new system went online the week of Nov. 5.
• Who is affected: Anyone in need of immigration-related services in Chile.
• Impact on processing: Those in need of immigration services should expect delays due to the current restriction in booking appointments.

Background: The new system eliminates the need to arrive at government offices early in the morning to wait for attention numbers, but has caused delays for some applicants who require urgent services. Part of the challenge is that appointments only open up once a week and appointment slots are usually filled up in a matter of hours. Another issue is that applicants and immigration agents are only permitted to take one appointment slot per week, meaning agents may not be able to attend appointments on behalf of the applicants but end up having to accompany them to the appointment instead.

Analysis & Comments: Employers and foreign nationals should plan as far ahead as possible and should expect delays in booking appointments, particularly in the next few weeks, especially because the new system leaves aside the option of obtaining urgent documentation from the authorities.

Employers and foreign nationals should plan as far ahead as possible and should expect delays in booking appointments, particularly in the next few weeks.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.