Source: International Galapagos Tour Operators Association

Galapagos authorities are implementing a new system for controlling immigration in the Islands. There are about five thousand illegal immigrants living permanently in the islands and the number continues to rise each year.

The aims of the plan focus on: 1) stopping illegal immigrants entrance onto the islands; 2) improve the procedures for authorising permanent residencies; 3) improve the quality of logistics for immigration control; and regulate illegal residents under legal bases.

All visitors that travel to Galapagos will be required to buy a $10 USD transit control card (Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito) TCT. The new ID will hold the general information of the traveller, a picture of the card holder, a chip, and a bar code. The value of the card is additional to the 100 USD fee for entrance to the Galapagos National Park.

Control officers will use a laser device to track the arrival and departure of passengers to Galapagos. This information will be kept on records which, therefore, includes the overall length of stay in the Islands.

The new card will be expedited to all visitors and this process won't include the permanent residents that hold a resident card.

There's not an official starting date yet for the new immigration control plan. Authorities are trying to get the cards and the appropriate technology ready in the next weeks.

The new Webpage for the TCT is under construction now and it will provide more information in the following weeks: http://www.ingala.gov.ec/tct/