New I.D. card rules

Have just submitted a complaint to the EU ombudsman.
Watch this space!!!!

Terry

Dear Terry,

could you let me know the procedure to do that?

I just arrived here to work at the University,
and with the importance of the ID card for daily life,
it is extremely annoying that it takes this long.
(E.g., can I ask for a refund on all the bus tickets
I have to buy as a non-resident till I finally get this card?)

Kind regards,
Holger

This is the link, just click on complaint and you can fill it in on line. 

http://www.ombudsman.org.mt/index.asp?pg=whatombcando

Terry

georgeingozo wrote:

although your husband is non-EU, he is applying as a family member of an EU citizen, so would go on an EU day

I know, thats what has confused me because they gave us an appointment on a Tuesday which I believe is not an EU day?  Will just have to see what they send us next time after we had to cancel that one.

Hi rainbow,


I'm not aware of any difference being made between EU and TCN's ( third-country nationals).

Friday is reserved for persons enjoying national or international protection ie in most cases irrewgular immigrants.

Where does the information about EU/non-EU day come from ?

Cheers
Ricky

Having been there yesterday and having slept over it, if I could go back to yesterday morning I wouldn't have gone there at all.

I really don't think it's worth it. Losing a couple of years of your life just for a document.

It's better to pay the double price for the bus than go through what we went through yesterday.

I suggest to those who haven't been not to go unless their life really depends on it.

You may think I'm exaggerating and fair enough, I wouldn't believe it either without witnessing it first hand.

The ID card is not worth it!

From my friend in the EU Compliance Office in the government

ricky wrote:

Hi rainbow,


I'm not aware of any difference being made between EU and TCN's ( third-country nationals).

Friday is reserved for persons enjoying national or international protection ie in most cases irrewgular immigrants.

Where does the information about EU/non-EU day come from ?

Cheers
Ricky

In Avro698's post @ 11.54 on page 11 it says there are different days for applications and when this process was first introduced in January it did specify different days for EU or TCNs on the MFA website, under the Residence heading but that has now been changed but we were given our appointment when those different days were still on there and I wondered then why we had been given what they specified as a non EU day but as it happens we have had to cancel that anyway so dont know whether it would have been correct or not, will see what day they give us when they reply to my email asking for another date.

Where does the information about EU/non-EU day come from ?

Cheers
Ricky

From my friend in the EU Compliance Office of the government

autonomas wrote:

Having been there yesterday and having slept over it, if I could go back to yesterday morning I wouldn't have gone there at all.

I really don't think it's worth it. Losing a couple of years of your life just for a document.

It's better to pay the double price for the bus than go through what we went through yesterday.

I suggest to those who haven't been not to go unless their life really depends on it.

You may think I'm exaggerating and fair enough, I wouldn't believe it either without witnessing it first hand.

The ID card is not worth it!

You are probably right for EU Citizens but for those of us with non EU partners or for other third country nationals we dont really have a choice if we want to be able to travel in and out of Malta for instance.

Once again for those who have missed it. Before you hand in your old ID when applying for the new one: make a colour photo copy of the card. I use that copy (behind a window in your wallet) in the bus and also for registered mail. Both bus driver and postman were happy.

Hi avro,

can you get a confirmation on that ?

I'm British and had an appointment on a Tuesday !

American's would have to get in the queue with irregular immigrants on a Friday ? Your informant must be joking ! That would mean major trouble for the department and probably a diplomatic exchange on a higher level.



Thanks in advance.
Ricky

ricky wrote:

Hi avro,

can you get a confirmation on that ?

I'm British and had an appointment on a Tuesday !

American's would have to get in the queue with irregular immigrants on a Friday ? Your informant must be joking ! That would mean major trouble for the department and probably a diplomatic exchange on a higher level.



Thanks in advance.
Ricky

Hi Ricky

Not long after the new forms were released it was published on their website, under the Residence heading that Mon and Thurs was for EU citizens to apply and Tuesdays for TCNs, Wed - closed and then Friday for other immigrants because I remember seeing it and wondering why we had a Tuesday.

That has now been changed so maybe they realised it was not going to be workable?

Hi rainbow,

if it has been changed then the present days must be Monday,Tuesday and Thursday for EU and TCN's and Fridays reserved for protected persons.

Let's not confuse the applicants!

Cheers
Ricky

Yes Ricky

I think that is what it has been changed to, sorry, didnt mean to confuse anyone, was just saying that it had originally been set up differently.

am confused!!!!

and so glad am not going to bother - unless absolutely forced to - no real advantage as far as i can see - well not for me am afraid...dont realy feel obliged to waste my time in doing so, and at the moment there is "no enforcement contemplated" then why bother at all?

I have all the forms filled out to get a new ID card, email them on the 15th of January and have heard nothing as yet.

rainbow3 wrote:

autonomas wrote:

Having been there yesterday and having slept over it, if I could go back to yesterday morning I wouldn't have gone there at all.

I really don't think it's worth it. Losing a couple of years of your life just for a document.

It's better to pay the double price for the bus than go through what we went through yesterday.

I suggest to those who haven't been not to go unless their life really depends on it.

You may think I'm exaggerating and fair enough, I wouldn't believe it either without witnessing it first hand.

The ID card is not worth it!

You are probably right for EU Citizens but for those of us with non EU partners or for other third country nationals we dont really have a choice if we want to be able to travel in and out of Malta for instance.

You're right. I was referring to EU citizens only.

When I was there, there was a Korean gentleman who brought plane tickets he bought for late March. He just showed the ticket to the woman processing the data and timidly inquired whether they would consider processing his request more swiftly since he had to travel.

The woman just exploded all of a sudden and started shouting: "DON'T PUSH US! DON'T PUSH US, TA! JUST BECAUSE YOU BRING TICKET DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO DO IT URGENT!!!"

At that point I guess he saw that everything was pointless and that he would lose his flight and God knows what else he had booked. So, he just smiled and left.

Poor people.

JUST HAD THIS SENT TO ME FROM A FRIEND.


I am afraid that patience is the name of the game.  When we went in the 29th January we were told then that there was at least a 700 e mail back up. 

We are told that all will get answered in due course, the last one issued that I heard of was about a fortnight ago and that was for April 9th.  This is going to go on for a long time.  However, the start of the process is to have sent your e mail as you have done.

autonomas wrote:

rainbow3 wrote:

autonomas wrote:

You're right. I was referring to EU citizens only.

When I was there, there was a Korean gentleman who brought plane tickets he bought for late March. He just showed the ticket to the woman processing the data and timidly inquired whether they would consider processing his request more swiftly since he had to travel.

The woman just exploded all of a sudden and started shouting: "DON'T PUSH US! DON'T PUSH US, TA! JUST BECAUSE YOU BRING TICKET DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO DO IT URGENT!!!"

At that point I guess he saw that everything was pointless and that he would lose his flight and God knows what else he had booked. So, he just smiled and left.

Poor people.

That sounds unpleasant, poor man!

It doesnt matter when you have your appointment now the appointment system is ongoing... same case . Family member non EU...was treated same as EU.....now waiting for the new card to be issue. the docs issued by mfa ( the blue paper with the photo) we  are all using and no issues we had so far...also unfortunately family member happen to use it even in the hospital.....
Also i had contacted The director of Mfa...since the non EU family member needs to travel soon and as you all my know here we need that card. I was told that currently they are experience problem   Printing the new cards, however was told to call in a week time...

Adding something to my previous comment......all info you need to know about EU rights and non-EU family members is available at their website under http://www.foreign.gov.mt/Library/PDF/CEA7-EEA.pdf ...
As i had mentioned.....all of my family (including the non EU family member) had applied and received the blue papers with the photo....no other docs were required from us apart of the mentioned on the forms which are even mentioned of the copied pdf file above.

OK, so I went in for my appointment with Expat affairs yesterday:

1. appointment is at 11 am
2. got in to see them at 2pm

The appointment itself went fairly well in the first office we had to go to though there was some confusion if I should be "processed" as an EU citizen or an American.  (Im American married to an EU citizen).  They after just a couple minutes of deliberation processed me in the same manner as when I initially applied a couple years ago, I fall under the EU citizen status.   That part of the process really wasnt bad, "Hi how are you thank you for the documentation, Ill take your picture, OK Your done."

That’s when the fun started......

we had to apply for the electronic ID card in the next office.

we get to the office and were asked to sit down by a polite and smiling woman and Im thinking how cool it is that in the midst of all the chaos and work these employees were forced into that they can still keep such a good attitude. so Im talking to my wife about getting lunch when we get out of there and the woman looked up with glazed eyes and said in a slurred speech " I have a banana, and coffee would you like a banana and coffee....   you can have sugar on your banana"
she then looked back down and went back to what she was doing, started giggling, looked up and said "I'm laughing"

From there my wife and I had to correct the information she was typing in on her screen multiple times, as she was not paying any attention and talking to every single person who walked into the office.  (down the hall last office on the right, first desk on the left by the elevator) after all the corrections were made we got our receipt’s of application completion, they collected our ID cards and were on our way.

We were told that we would receive a phone call in the next 8 weeks when the ID cards are ready, They did not collect my old residence permit.

total time in castille place 3 hours 45 minutes.

Make 100% sure that you have all your photocopies made for them it will make your time in there go much faster.


_____________
side note:


There were a couple of dark skinned individuals there, who apparently had no appointment and were constantly being told "go home come back friday, they wont see you today" with no other explanation given no help offered, nothing.

wouldnt it be easier if they were stopped at the front door and told this...... and thus not have the issue of interuptions to those who have appointments!!!!!!

toonarmy9752 wrote:

wouldnt it be easier if they were stopped at the front door and told this...... and thus not have the issue of interuptions to those who have appointments!!!!!!

Far too obvious!!!  (And it would distract those people on the door from their chatting/texting) ...

me3512 wrote:

OK, so I went in for my appointment with Expat affairs yesterday:

1. appointment is at 11 am
2. got in to see them at 2pm

The appointment itself went fairly well in the first office we had to go to though there was some confusion if I should be "processed" as an EU citizen or an American.  (Im American married to an EU citizen).  They after just a couple minutes of deliberation processed me in the same manner as when I initially applied a couple years ago, I fall under the EU citizen status.   That part of the process really wasnt bad, "Hi how are you thank you for the documentation, Ill take your picture, OK Your done."

That’s when the fun started......

we had to apply for the electronic ID card in the next office.

we get to the office and were asked to sit down by a polite and smiling woman and Im thinking how cool it is that in the midst of all the chaos and work these employees were forced into that they can still keep such a good attitude. so Im talking to my wife about getting lunch when we get out of there and the woman looked up with glazed eyes and said in a slurred speech " I have a banana, and coffee would you like a banana and coffee....   you can have sugar on your banana"
she then looked back down and went back to what she was doing, started giggling, looked up and said "I'm laughing"

From there my wife and I had to correct the information she was typing in on her screen multiple times, as she was not paying any attention and talking to every single person who walked into the office.  (down the hall last office on the right, first desk on the left by the elevator) after all the corrections were made we got our receipt’s of application completion, they collected our ID cards and were on our way.

We were told that we would receive a phone call in the next 8 weeks when the ID cards are ready, They did not collect my old residence permit.

total time in castille place 3 hours 45 minutes.

Make 100% sure that you have all your photocopies made for them it will make your time in there go much faster.


_____________
side note:


There were a couple of dark skinned individuals there, who apparently had no appointment and were constantly being told "go home come back friday, they wont see you today" with no other explanation given no help offered, nothing.

Hey, it seems that we had the same woman attending us for the electronic ID!

Only when we were there she was freaking out and looked completely disinterested and far less polite.

She didn't really have any computer skills. I noticed that any time she needed to make two copies of something she would go through the print process twice instead of just specifying that she needed 2 copies.

When we were there her printer also ran out of ink, so you can imagine what a confusion that caused, making it necessary for assistance from adjoining rooms.

She also talked to her colleagues randomly without it being obvious to us whether she was asking us questions or not, since everything was in such a mess.

She made so many mistakes and we also had to correct everything. In the end I just let her confirm the mistakes in our permanent address abroad because it would be too confusing to try to correct that too.

Nicky777 wrote:

toonarmy9752 wrote:

wouldnt it be easier if they were stopped at the front door and told this...... and thus not have the issue of interuptions to those who have appointments!!!!!!

Far too obvious!!!  (And it would distract those people on the door from their chatting/texting) ...

sadly so true.....

yup... same one...   we did have the same issue with the address abroad as well, but I didn't find that one important enough to correct.   I was just tired of her by then.


!!!!!!  Important note to those with children   !!!!!!!

The restrooms are in Baraka gardens, you are not allowed to use the ones in the building, They are staff only!

After this experience, I am really not surprised they chose Malta to film Midnight Express.

I was thinking about that movie throughout the time we were there.

also "World war Z" that place is turning into the Zombie Apocalypse.

toonarmy9752 wrote:

wouldnt it be easier if they were stopped at the front door and told this...... and thus not have the issue of interuptions to those who have appointments!!!!!!

Well the ones that were there on Monday had been told to return on Monday as on Friday they were unable to process them all. However the staff (men in black) that were wondering around were very nasty and aggressive, just telling them to GO, GO,.

Very sad to see this sort of attitude in an EU country.

Terry

Thanks for sharing autonomas and me, every time someone posts their experience it seems to be getting worse and worse, this process seems to be sending the staff into strange behaviour!

I am interested to find out about your permanent address abroad, I dont know what to put for that on the forms as we are living here so dont have an address abroad, what address did you both give them, do you have properties still back in your own countries?

we just gave our mother in laws address.   we have no address abroad as well.   


Also for "next country" -- if your unsure just say malta

They actually require your last address abroad, we had the same question when we got there. The staff are really not trained in the new procedure or forms required.

Terry

rainbow3 wrote:

Thanks for sharing autonomas and me, every time someone posts their experience it seems to be getting worse and worse, this process seems to be sending the staff into strange behaviour!

I am interested to find out about your permanent address abroad, I dont know what to put for that on the forms as we are living here so dont have an address abroad, what address did you both give them, do you have properties still back in your own countries?

I just put down my parents address as I also don't own property abroad in my name.

It's probably just a formality of use to no one. From their attitude in filling in more important fields, I gathered that most of the information they required on those forms was useless to them anyway.

For us, what was important that they get correctly is our names and address in Malta, so that we can actually use these documents while living here.

Thankyou tearnet, me and autonomas for your replies, it does make more sense if it was phrased as "last permanent address abroad" so I will use that one and hope they accept it.

ricky wrote:

Hi avro,

can you get a confirmation on that ?

I'm British and had an appointment on a Tuesday !

American's would have to get in the queue with irregular immigrants on a Friday ? Your informant must be joking ! That would mean major trouble for the department and probably a diplomatic exchange on a higher level.



Thanks in advance.
Ricky

I'll check it out when I see him again

Avro698

Today I've heard from my working colleagues (EU nationals), that their appointment dates they received per email response have reached beginning of November ...

matm911 wrote:

Today I've heard from my working colleagues (EU nationals), that their appointment dates they received per email response have reached beginning of November ...

Wow, so this means that third-country nationals won't be able to travel out of Malta this year!

What do you mean that third country nationals cannot leave Malta this year? is it turning into a prison?