Online Reporter
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
TRAVELLERS from countries that require a visa to enter Zimbabwe can now apply online following the rollout of a new digital immigration system aimed at modernising border control, easing entry processes and boosting tourism and investment.
The authorities have expanded the rollout of the Online Border Management System (OBMS), initially introduced last year, to allow for the digitisation of key immigration processes, including the issuance of electronic visas (e-visas) and electronic permits (e-permits).
The OBMS now allows visa applications, residence and work permits and traveller clearance processes to be handled electronically — a move officials say will ease congestion at ports of entry and enhance national security.
It replaces the traditional paper-based system with a fast, secure and user-friendly digital platform.
Chief immigration officer Ms Respect Gono told our Harare Bureau that e-visas will alleviate the burden of sending manual applications through postal services or consular offices.
“The major highlights of the OBMS are the e-visas, e-gates and e-permits,” she said.
“The e-visa facility is now fully functional and nationalities from countries that require prior visa approval can apply online.
“The e-visa has eased the burden of having to send manual applications through postal services or having to travel to the nearest consular offices for visa application services.
“This was costly, cumbersome and time-consuming, but now people can apply from their comfort zones, enjoying convenience, reduced paperwork and a host of other benefits that come with the electronic platform.”
The e-permit platform is also being rolled out for visitors intending to stay longer in Zimbabwe, she said.
“When people come to Zimbabwe with intentions to stay longer, they are required to apply for residence permits, which are also now being facilitated through an online platform for e-permits,” said Ms Gono.
“The development of the e-permits platform is still in progress and modules for temporary employment permits, investor residence permits are now operational whilst other permit modules are still being developed.”
Ms Gono said the e-gates installed at some ports of entry use facial recognition and passport data to allow registered travellers — currently limited to holders of Zimbabwean e-passports — to pass through immigration without human assistance.
The system, she said, will soon be opened to eligible residence permit holders and foreign nationals.
“E-gates have been deployed to all major ports; seven were deployed to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport; one at Victoria Falls Airport; two at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport; and four at Beitbridge Border Post,” she added.
“These are automated self-service facilities that use a combination of biometric data and e-passports for traveller clearance.
“One simply scans their passport and the biometric features of the traveller.
“If there is a match of the electronic data in the e-passport and the physical person, e-gates open and travellers would have been cleared.
“Where there are discrepancies, the gate locks and an officer takes over the matter for further management.”
The system, a first of its kind in the region, is modelled along the lines of Dubai’s trailblazing Smart Gates Platform, which offers a fast and contactless way for eligible travellers to go through passport control at the Dubai International Airport.
Dubai’s system has automated self-service kiosks and utilises facial recognition technology to streamline the immigration processes for passengers.
Ms Gono said through the implementation of OBMS, the authorities want to provide a world-class immigration service.
“The OBMS is hailed for so many advantages, such as improved security, user friendliness and convenience,” she said.
“Through the use of biometric verification systems like fingerprint, reader’s facial recognition technology, the department can immediately verify a traveller’s identity against a database of known individuals, including criminals or individuals on watch lists.
“Migration governance has also been enhanced through better surveillance and monitoring mechanisms, as well as the enjoyment of many synergistic advantages through inter-agency collaboration which the OBMS has unearthed.”
