The Bureau of Immigration is preparing for its new responsibility to provide refunds to Palauans and other individuals exempted from the new $100 fee imposed on every visitor starting January 1 , 2018.
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Vice President and Minister of Justice Raynold Oilouch in an interview last week said that he would meet with the immigration officers to discuss how the bureau can perform “smoothly” the tasks to handle the new immigration policy.
“ We will be trying our best to be ready to have immigration officers handle the implementation of the Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee (PPEF),” Oilouch said.
Oilouch said beginning January 1, 2018, incoming travelers with Palauan passports are required to clear immigration.
He said in order to avoid congestion at the immigration check points, Oilouch said it’s important that the officers are prepared.
He also noted the possibility of deploying more immigration officers at the airport to avoid inconvenience to the incoming tourists and Palauan travelers.
The environmental fee represents the financing mechanism for the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.
The fee will now be incorporated in the price of airline tickets but those eligible for refunds will have to be screened by the immigration. (by: Bernadette Carreon) [/restrict]