Kathy Ruiz-Paskel, Director of the Department of Integration, Management, and Admission of Foreigners (DIMAS), addressed the recent issue of long lines forming outside the department’s building.
According to Ruiz-Paskel, this situation results from a combination of factors. DIMAS recently received additional staff from the Ministry to help with processing applications under ongoing projects. Extra personnel were also assigned to manage the front desk, including staff from the Department of Labor and Research (DPL) and support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
She explained that the office now handles various groups of visitors throughout the day — those attending appointments under the “Hunto pa Progreso” program, applicants from Trajects 1 to 4, and others seeking information. Services are offered between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
The director noted that last week, DIMAS processed about 73% of all submitted applications, with the remaining cases pending due to incomplete payments or missing documents. “We urge applicants who have submitted online or through the different trajectories to make their payments promptly so we can start processing faster. Without payment, the process remains on hold,” Ruiz-Paskel emphasized.
She added that the high number of people visiting DIMAS also reflects the increasing volume of new applications and inquiries. “By the end of the day, not everyone in line is submitting requests — many are just seeking information,” she said.
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