By Burnett Munthali
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has announced the resumption of passport services at its Blantyre office starting Wednesday, July 10, 2024, following technical disruptions that temporarily halted operations in multiple regions.
According to Wellington Chiponde, the National Public Relations Officer for the department, all individuals requiring passport services will now be able to access them at the Immigration Headquarters in Blantyre.
The Immigration Department had suspended passport processing in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mangochi, and Mzuzu due to technical issues affecting its issuance system. Since the successful recovery of the system in March this year, passport processing has been centralized to the Lilongwe office only.
Chiponde assured the public that the department is now equipped to resume full operations in Blantyre, ensuring that citizens and residents can obtain essential travel documents without further delays.
“We are pleased to announce that from tomorrow onwards, passport services will be available at our Blantyre office,” Chiponde stated in a press release today.
The decision to resume services in Blantyre marks a significant step towards improving service delivery and meeting the demand for passports across Malawi. It comes as a relief to many who have been inconvenienced by the limited access to passport facilities in recent months.
Moving forward, the Immigration Department remains committed to maintaining efficient operations and addressing any future challenges to ensure seamless service provision to the public.
Citizens and residents are encouraged to visit the Blantyre office for their passport needs, adhering to all necessary procedures and requirements set forth by the department.
The resumption of passport services in Blantyre reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance administrative capabilities and provide essential services to its citizens effectively. As operations normalize, stakeholders anticipate improved accessibility and convenience for passport applicants nationwide.
