The Postal Service came to Grenada during colonization by the British in the eighteenth century. Until January 23th, 1997 the Post Office served as a department within the Ministry of Communications and Works. The Grenada Postal Corporation was established by Act 21 of 1996 which commenced on January 24th, 1997 to provide postal services on a strictly commercial basis. It operates forty-seven (47) sub-offices islandwide. According to the Act establishing the Grenada Postal Corporation, the Corporation: Internet Access, Post Shop, Advertise on Mail, Photocopy and Fax, Visa application online, Freight Forwarding, Stuff 'n' Seal, Direct Mail etc.