Paper forms a thing of the past: Suriname introduces digital ICF to enhance travel convenience and security

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The paper Departure and Arrival Forms, in use for many years, will soon be obsolete. The Immigration and Customs services have announced the introduction of the digital Immigration & Customs Form (ICF), which will require travelers to verify their travel details upon arrival and departure from Suriname, according to Roy Samuel, commander of the Military Police Corps.
This new ICF system replaces the paper form previously used and will be fully implemented by January 15, 2025. A soft launch is set for November 1, 2024, allowing travelers to become familiar with the system and enter their information digitally.
Starting from the official launch on January 15, 2025, the digital ICF will be mandatory for all travelers to and from Suriname. Travelers without a correctly filled-out ICF will not be able to board.
Photo: Suriname surinameRecommendation from the Caribbean Financial Action Task ForceThe digital ICF is legally mandated and allows travelers to enter their information digitally in advance, enabling faster and more efficient processing. The launch of the digital system follows national security and financial guidelines, including measures from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).
According to Samuel, the system is simpler and more convenient for travelers and aligns with the international trend of digitizing immigration processes.
“Suriname is ahead of most countries within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) with this digital ICF, as they are still largely using paper forms. Barbados and Jamaica already have a digital system, and Guyana is expected to follow in Suriname’s footsteps shortly.”
EfficiencyIn addition to simplifying the process for travelers, the ICF aims to enhance the control and processing of cross-border traffic, which is particularly important given the growing number of passengers due to Suriname’s emerging oil and gas industry.
With this step, Suriname aims not only to improve border management but also to increase security and efficiency within the travel process.
Photo: Suriname surinameSecurityThe commander emphasized that the new ICF system not only contributes to efficiency and convenience for travelers but also plays a vital role in enhancing security. By digitally verifying traveler information, the immigration service can perform faster and more accurate checks on potential security risks and suspicious activities.
Samuel explained that the ICF also gives authorities direct access to data relevant to national security and financial regulations, such as those of the CFATF. This improves monitoring of suspicious transactions and other financial risks, helping prevent illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing.
“With the introduction of this digital system, both security and control are tightened, which is essential in modern border management,” said Samuel. Travelers can easily complete the ICF up to 72 hours in advance on the website www.icf.sr, allowing for a quicker and smoother start to their journey.