October 21: The Department of Immigration has come out with a system that will keep record of all nationals and foreigners entering the country and leaving through the various check points.

The Immigration Information and Monitoring system also keeps record of all foreign workers in the country. The information will be available to relevant departments and agencies.

More than 150 tourists have arrived in the country yesterday. Information like this can now be found through the new system.

Relevant officials will also be able to find out how many Bhutanese nationals are traveling out of the country. The new system was launched by Home and Cultural Affairs Minister Lyonpo Minjur Dorji yesterday morning.

The department of Immigration also has records of all foreign nationals entering and exiting Bhutan from all check points.

As the Director of Immigration explains under the system all immigration check points and outposts are connected together.

The system too is connected at the Paro International airport where immigration officials keep record of all nationals as well as foreigners entering and leaving Bhutan.

The system also maintains information about Bhutanese nationals, where they are traveling, how frequently they are traveling and the purpose of their travel.

Information on the total number of foreign workers in the country and their work permit validity will also be maintained under the system.

As of yesterday, there are close to 17,000 foreigners in the country with work permits and another 933 without work permits.

The Immigration department says it will now be easier for them to track down illegal workers in the country.

As of now, the system is connected to various check points at the Paro airport, Hongtsho, Phuntsholing Rinchendhing, Samdrupjongkhar, Gelephu and Sarpang. The department is working to further expand its network.

The new development is dedicated to the centenary and coronation celebrations.