The Galapagos Islands are set to become yet more exclusive with the arrival in October of a new visa system for both Ecuadorian and foreign visitors.

Expected to force 3,500 illegal inhabitants to leave the islands, la Tarjeta de Control deTransito (TCT) – a secure plastic identification card - will cost $10 perperson.

The new regulations, spearheaded by El Instituto Nacional Galapagos (Ingala) and El ParqueNacional Galapagos (PNG), are designed to monitor the number of residents onthe island and to encourage workers to leave when their contracts end.

In Junethis year, the province was added to the World Heritage list of endangered sites on the recommendation of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The decision was made after a joint mission by IUCN and UNESCO in April which found visitor numbers to the island increased from 40,000 in 1996 to 120,000 in 2007.

David Sheppard, head of the IUCN delegation in Christchurch, said: “The main problems associated with the Galapagos Islands relate to the impact of tourist growth, which is driving immigration and overfishing.”

Each tourist card is valid for 90 days and is to be issued by Ingala through airlines and travel agencies. Official working and residential visas are also available for those who produce valid documents.