FAQs
What is the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC)?
The Joint Regional Communications Center is an agency of IMPACS that is mandated to be the main point of contact for Advance Passenger Information (API) from all carriers (aviation and maritime) transiting the region.
What is the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS)?
IMPACS is an institution with CARICOM that became the primary agency to ensure the implementation and execution of the Regional Crime and Security Agenda with respect to the Advance Passenger and Cargo Information. In this regard, IMPACS undertook the establishment of the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC).
Why was the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) established?
The JRCC was established to ensure a region-wide communications network for Member States of the Single Domestic Space and Law Enforcement Agencies within the Caribbean during the period prior to, during and after the ICC CWC 07.
When was the JRCC established?
The JRCC was established at the Twenty-Seventh Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St. Kitts and Nevis in July 2006.
What are the functions of the Joint Regional Communications Centre?
The JRCC is the competent authority which functions as an information and communications Centre for the capturing, processing and transmitting of Advance Passenger Information received seven days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day to Law Enforcement, Border Control and Intelligence Agencies of the countries comprising the Single Domestic Space.
What is the Vision of the JRCC?
To be the premier agency in the region for receiving, analysing and disseminating passenger information to assist Border Security, Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agencies in creating a safe, stable and secure environment.
What is the Mission of the JRCC?
To provide effective passenger screening to strengthen and secure the region’s borders.
What are the main objectives of the JRCC?
- To serve as the main focal point for effective communication and information centre between Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies.
- To be the main point of contact for API from all carriers transiting the region.
What are the main goals of the JRCC?
- To receive accurate passenger data in a timely manner
- To ensure that all carriers comply with the regions API Legislation.
- To deter breaches in border security.
What are the key functions of the JRCC?
- To pre-screen travellers to and from any territory within the participating Member States.
- Conducts security vetting of visa applicants.
- To gather, analyse and disseminates data from API in a timely and consistent manner.
- Ensures compliance of all carriers.
How can I contact the JRCC with my Queries?
Which countries formed the Single Domestic Space?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
What type of passenger information is required to be transmitted?
API information should include mainly information contained on a person’s passport which is often collected at check-in. This includes but is not limited to:
- Passenger’s full name
- Passport Number, issuing country and expiration date.
- Country of residence
- Country of Birth
- Gender
- Date of Birth
Does the JRCC have enforcement powers?
The JRCC provides the technical support and equip each Member State with pertinent information regarding carriers that are in contravention with the API legislation and in return the Member State will enforce their API legislation.
What role does the JRCC play in Border Security?
The JRCC is the competent authority that captures API which is processed and security vetted.
What challenges does the JRCC encounter on a daily basis?
The Quality of data transmitted by some carriers is still not in keeping with what is stipulated by law. However, the compliance unit at the JRCC is working with carriers to ensure that the quality of data submitted is in keeping with the legislation.
How will Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) Work?
Data is submitted by all aviation and maritime carriers notwithstanding size, via ARINC or SITA to our telex address or through the JRCC Web Portal to the JRCC Servers where it is processed and security vetted. The relevant portion of the API is then disseminated to the respective destination Member State.
What is the Joint Regional Communications Centre Web Portal?
It is a medium used for the transmission of API to the Centre. The portal contains a web application for online submission and a downloadable spread sheet (aviation and maritime) and web service for uploading files.
Where can a person access the JRCC Web Services?
How is Advance Passenger Information (API) Submitted or Transmitted?
Please see the resources section for more details here
What will JRCC do with the Advance Passenger Information (API)?
Besides being used for faster immigration clearance, the information is security vetted by the Centre. It will also help to monitor passengers’ movement for statistical and analytical purposes.
What happens to Carriers who fail to submit API?
Presently each Member State has enacted legislation to enforce the submission of API by airlines and carriers transiting the Region. Failure to do so may result in the prosecution of these carriers.
What is the Liability for non compliance?
Upon conviction, Master of the vessel/Captain of the Carrier will be liable to a fine not exceeding US 100,000.00 or its equivalent in Eastern Caribbean dollars.
Are there any specific data elements required for the Submission of Advance Passenger Information?
APIS legislation has stipulated the minimum
data elements required for the submission of APIS.
Who has access to the Advance Passenger Information?
Only the JRCC and the respective destination State will have access to API.
How will Advance Passenger Information System Data be secured?
All APIs data is stored on JRCC Servers and Member States “dex” Client computers. These servers/computers are only accessed by authorized persons.
What are the benefits of Advance Passenger Information submission?
- It assists in the formulation of Analytical and statistical reports for intelligence purposes.
- It allows for a greater throughput through Immigration.
- Enhance the collection of Tourism information.