New opening hours will come into effect at the Isle of Man Passport and Immigration Office from Monday, April 4, 2011. The office, located on the ground floor of Government Offices, Bucks Road, Douglas, handles all passport applications and renewals, as well as issues regarding immigration and nationality. From April 4, the office will be open to the public from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9.30am to 4pm on Fridays. Customers using the express services will be able to collect their passports at 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and at 3.30pm on a Friday. As the office prepares to enter one of its busiest times of year, members of the public are being reminded to check the validity of their passports before travelling off-Island. Senior External Relations Manager Richard Carter has urged local residents to plan ahead and avoid leaving applications and renewals until the last moment. He explained: ‘People can renew their current passport from nine months before its expiry date without losing those months and days. Any time still “in credit” is simply added to the expiry date of their new passport.’ Anyone seeking further information can call one of the Passport and Immigration Office enquiry and advice lines – passport advice 01624 693222 or 01624 685208, nationality general enquiries 01624 686283, immigration enquiries 01624 685203. Support will be provided wherever possible. People who require assistance whilst abroad should contact the nearest British Embassy, Consulate or High Commission in the country they are visiting. Additional guidance and documents such as passport application forms, legislation notes and immigration forms are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.im/cso/immigration/ Ends