History

The Immigration Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network is a young institution. It was established on 6 September 2026 to bring entry to the Network, visas, passports and the register of citizens under one authority. The milestones since are listed below and will be added to as the Department's work proceeds.

Much of what the Department does was settled on the day it was established. The entry rules, the register of points of entry, the classes of device and the service standards were all published on 6 September 2026 so that the first travellers to the Network would find a complete set of rules rather than a set that was still being written. What remains is the work of putting procedures into practice: opening the remaining points of entry, verifying identity for the first passports and, in time, deciding the first applications for a grant of citizenship.

1. 6 September 2026

   Department established

   The Immigration Department is formally established with responsibility for entry to the Network, visas, passports and the register of citizens.

2. 6 September 2026

   Official website launched

   immigration.gov.vin opens with the Newsroom and the Department's first guidance.

3. 6 September 2026

   Entry rules take effect

   The lists of permitted, not permitted and declarable items are published for everyone entering the Network, together with the declaration thresholds.

4. 6 September 2026

   Register of points of entry published

   Six points of entry are named. Halvane Bridge, Lindmere Crossing and Sarrow Viaduct Terminal open the same day.

5. 6 September 2026

   Device registration begins

   The six classes of device are published and certified devices are registered to their holders at each open point of entry.

6. 6 September 2026

   Service standards published

   A processing standard is published for every document the Department issues, with quarterly reporting to begin in December 2026.

7. 6 September 2026

   Register of citizens opened

   The founding citizens of the Network are recorded and certificates of citizenship become available on request.

8. 6 September 2026

   Visa applications opened

   The application form for visitor, work and member staff visas is made available on this site.

9. December 2026

   First quarterly report on processing times

   Performance against each published standard for September to November 2026 will be published in the Newsroom.

10. To be announced

    First passports issued

    Passports of the Network will be issued once the procedure for verifying identity in person is in place.

11. To be announced

    Remaining points of entry open

    Brenholm Rail Terminal, Orrin Crossing and Quillan Gateway will open as staff and inspection facilities are put in place.

Announcements are published in the Newsroom. For the Department's present responsibilities, see About the Department.